The Department for International Development Rwanda (DIFDR) is the leading donor organisation to the Government of Rwanda, committed to tackling the extreme poverty endemic in a nation striving to redefine itself.

The organisation is facing a period of radical transformation, imposed by changes on all sides: massive funding increases balanced by headcount reductions, changes in leadership, internal restructuring and looming national elections all within an unpredictable political context. To capitalise on its strengths and excellent reputation, and to realise its potential to effect positive change for the poor in Rwanda, DFIDR must find new ways of working to raise its performance and successfully navigate the extensive organisational changes ahead.

Solution

In response to the complex situation faced by the organisation, DFIDR invited two consultants from the Impact Relief and Development Group to undertake a first-phase assignment
aimed at:

• Assessing the extent of issues limiting DFIDR’s performance
• Building deeper relationships across teams and functions
• Engaging people with the institutional changes
• Forging a shared sense of direction
• Facilitating key strategic planning processes
• Designing an integrated programme of change management

Working in partnership with the Country Director and key heads of department, Impact worked closely with staff to prepare them for a very different future.

The role of the consultants included:
• Conducting stakeholder interviews
• Leading strategic planning sessions
• Facilitating performance improvement workshops
• Introducing problem solving methods
• Cultural change sessions
• Action planning
• 1:1 coaching

Result

The programme achieved significant outcomes on two levels;

Firstly it galvanised the staff around the changes ahead, preparing them to take responsibility for greater personal and organisational performance.
Secondly it lay the groundwork for a programme of extensive organisational reform, based on five key drivers for change: Management and Leadership, People, Teams, Strategic Planning and Systems & Structures.

"Everyone in the office is now aware that he or she has some input which is important to DFID and which can contribute to the reduction of poverty in Rwanda."

Colin Kirk
Country Director 
DFID Rwanda

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