“The workshops [Sabita] runs are well prepared, innovative and great fun. People do not realize they are learning but they come away with new knowledge and above all the confidence to carry out the tools in practice.” Molly Brech, Director, Cecily’s Fund
What I can offer
- Consultancy to help you identify your organisational learning needs and how best to meet them.
- Workshops/in-house training for your staff in deriving the most valuable learning from monitoring data.
- Designing and facilitating learning events such as Practice Exchanges, Peer Review and Communities of Practice.
- Creating organisational learning tools and communication resources.
Please do contact me for an initial chat about how I could help.
My organisational learning experience
As a trainer for Bond (British Overseas NGOs for Development) I help organisations explore how improved monitoring and evaluation can enhance the way they plan and measure their progress towards their goals. I help them to think through the most effective approach for their own particular context, but always in a way that maximises participation by – and respect for – partners and intended beneficiaries.
From evaluation of June 2012 course:
“I have really benefitted a lot since the trainer presented all materials in a way that was so easy to follow and understand.”
“…fun, well paced and very relevant.”
At Oxfam GB, I recently (July 2012) ran a presentations skills training day for the Events Team, taking a fun, but informative approach to building confidence in presentation delivery and learning new techniques to present effectively and manage nerves.
From evaluation of the course:
“Although terrified initially of presentation, now feel more confident that I am better than I perhaps gave credit for. Sabita was very friendly and made the day feel very easy to engage with.”
“Made public speaking feel easy again”
“Excellent mix of theory and practice. I found the lack of Powerpoint [for a presenting exercise] really refreshing as it made me focus on what I was saying.”
“Really helpful and enjoyable course. Loads of useful tips and ideas.”
As Programme Resource Officer (Oct 2004 – Apr 2008) for programme cycle management, I supported project and programme colleagues in over 80 countries to develop and share knowledge and learning to increase the effectiveness of their work. We provided an on-line help desk, a in-house consultancy, a networking hub, mentoring, coaching, and written and electronic resources. I had particular responsibility for programme cycle management (including M&E) and HIV response programmes.
This included developing learning strategies and tools such as a practice exchange between programme staff in Malawi and organisations in Zimbabwe supporting income generation for people living with HIV and a web-based knowledge map of HIV provision in Zambia.
Other learning tools we developed and tested included electronic knowledge maps, rough guides, peer assists and knowledge banks. We also trialled Outcome Mapping to monitor and evaluate our own work and to be able to advise colleagues who may be considering using it.
” I have… had the opportunity to participate in training programmes designed and facilitated by Sabita. They were very deep learning moments. Sabita, as an author and original thinker, communicates very effectively.” Martin Kalungu Banda (formerly) Global Leadership & Capacity Building Adviser, Oxfam GB
At Cecily’s Fund I worked alongside the Director to design and facilitate workshops combining theoretical and practical training in strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation for our Zambian partner organisations.
This included creative use of techniques such as using monitoring and evaluation tools in the delivery of the workshop itself – such as a transect walk through a programme area, and using recycled materials to make representations of monitoring and evaluation tools in the form of carpentry tools, which were then donated to a school for orphans run by one of the partners.
“The workshops [Sabita] runs are well prepared, innovative and great fun. People do not realize they are learning but they come away with new knowledge and above all the confidence to carry out the tools in practice.” Molly Brech, Director, Cecily’s Fund
Sabita Banerji 