Institutional Strengthening and the Capacity of NGOs to Deliver More Efficient and Effective Services: The Case of USAID/FANIKISHA Institutional Strengthening Project

This is a research report of an investigation of the linkage between Institutional Strengthening and the capacity of NGOs to deliver more efficient and effective services. It is a case study of three Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) affiliated to USAID/FANIKISHA Institutional Strengthening Project. It is an original research project for partial fulfillment of M.Sc. in Development Management at the Open University ? United Kingdom. The study adapted qualitative research methods through semi-structured questionnaires that were jointly completed by staff members from the three NGOs; this was triangulated by Skype interviews with the heads of the NGOs. This information was supported by literature review from relevant publications that provided grounded theory in relating development management definitions and aspects within the FANIKISHA context, as well as grey literature from project documents from the NGOs. The study has established key linkage between the processes that have taken place in the three NGOs in terms of institutional strengthen and their capacity to deliver various health services effectively and efficiently to the local community. This is the main aim of the FANIKISHA project. For instance, there has been improved access of various HIV & AIDS services provided directly by the three NGOs as well as through established partnership with Ministry of Health and other stakeholders. However, the findings revealed that the three NGOs are at different levels as far as systems and processes that influence efficiency and effectiveness is concerned. The study recommends that the institutional strengthening initiatives should be scaled up and sustained in order to ensure that more NGOs acquire relevant capacity to improve their performance in delivering health services in a more efficient and effective way to the local community. The existing partnerships should also be strengthened for effective service delivery, evidence-based advocacy as well as inter-organizational learning, accountability and decision making for improved health outcomes.