Working with one or more partners in implementing a development project is pretty standard these days. Over the next few posts I’ll talk about some of the joys and challenges of partnering, and share some tips for pulling off a successful partnership (most of the time).
It should be obvious that a good project partnership begins with finding a good partner. Depending on your situation, a good partner may be a small, community-based organization (CBO), or it may be a large, international non-governmental organization (NGO). Whatever the nature of the partner, there are a few important qualities that they should possess before you launch into any sort of agreement with them.
1. Common vision and values
If you and your partner don’t share some of the same dreams and values, then a partnership is not for you.
For example, if you’re envisioning women stepping into leadership roles in a community, and a potential partner envisions large-scale agricultural production in the area, then your different visions make you unlikely partners. Or if your agency values environmental sustainability in all of your development work, you’ll be deeply unhappy working with an organization that consistently values economic productivity over resource management.
2. Good governance
Make sure that your potential partner is practicing good governance. Things to check for include:
- A written constitution that explains the organization’s purpose and outlines its governance structure.
- Clearly defined roles for Board members. If many people on the Board are related, that’s a problem. If people benefit financially or politically from Board membership, that’s a problem, too.
- A written set of rules and procedures for the Board, including procedures for handling potential conflicts of interest.
- Regular Board meetings (several times annually) that are attended by at least half of the Board members and are properly recorded in meeting minutes.
- An organizational strategic plan that has been developed with Board input.
- A Board-approved annual budget with regular reports on activity against that budget.
- A Board-appointed, independent Financial auditor who reviews the organization’s financial statements annually.
3. Financial accountability
Financial accountability in your partner is essential. Watch for things like:
- A sound, basic accounting system, with a Chart of Accounts that is used consistently. You will also want to check that valid supporting documentation is kept for every bit of income and for each expenditure, and that it’s easy to find the supporting documents.
- Good financial planning evidenced by budgets and cash flow forecasts.
- Timely and accurate reporting. Managers should be receiving updated financial reports on a monthly basis (or at the very least quarterly) so that they can manage expenditures.
- Safe internal controls. For example, bank accounts should be in the organization’s name, not in an individual’s name. There should be a written policy explaining who can sign cheques and at what amount. Every transaction should be authorized by the person responsible for the account.
You will be working with this partner for the duration of a project, and your partnership will affect your reputation as an organization for better or worse. Taking the time to identify an appropriate partner will save a lot of grief later on.
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Related
Creating a partnership agreement
Partnering with a bigger organization
Partnering with a smaller organization
Filed under: partnership
