CASE STUDIES
Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Partners
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a leading international
development agency, recognized the need to expand and sustain maternal child health and
nutrition development in the challenging context of Somalia. To address this imperative, GIZ
sought the expertise of the Grit Partners consulting firm to establish an agreed-upon
framework and action plan. This case study explores the comprehensive consulting approach
taken, including workshops, retreats, project redesign, and change management guidance.
The Challenge
Somalia and Somaliland have long struggled with maternal child health and nutrition issues due
to political instability and limited healthcare infrastructure. GIZ, along with its partners, aimed
to develop a sustainable strategy to address these challenges. However, achieving consensus
and effectively implementing changes within these contexts posed significant challenges.
Our Approach
1. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Conducted a thorough assessment of key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders, to understand their perspectives and needs.
• Conducted a thorough assessment of key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders, to understand their perspectives and needs.
2. Workshop Facilitation:
• Designed and facilitated a series of workshops to bring together diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration.
• Designed and facilitated a series of workshops to bring together diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration.
3. Retreats:
• Organized retreats for GIZ, the Ministry of Health and its implementing partner teams to delve deeper into the issues, explore potential solutions, and build consensus.
• Organized retreats for GIZ, the Ministry of Health and its implementing partner teams to delve deeper into the issues, explore potential solutions, and build consensus.
4. Project Redesign:
• Collaborated with GIZ and partners to redesign its existing project, aligning activities with the newly developed framework and strategies.
• Collaborated with GIZ and partners to redesign its existing project, aligning activities with the newly developed framework and strategies.
5. Change Management:
• Provided ongoing guidance and support to manage the transition and ensure that the proposed changes were successfully implemented.
• Provided ongoing guidance and support to manage the transition and ensure that the proposed changes were successfully implemented.
Results
1. Framework and Action Plan:
• Developed a comprehensive framework and action plan that outlined strategies for improving maternal child health and nutrition in Somalia/Somaliland.
• Developed a comprehensive framework and action plan that outlined strategies for improving maternal child health and nutrition in Somalia/Somaliland.
2. Stakeholder Alignment:
• Facilitated alignment and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, enhancing the likelihood of successful implementation.
• Facilitated alignment and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, enhancing the likelihood of successful implementation.
3. Project Redesign:
• Redesigned existing projects to align with the new framework, optimizing resources and impact.
• Redesigned existing projects to align with the new framework, optimizing resources and impact.
4. Sustainability:
• The project’s emphasis on sustainability ensured that the positive impacts would continue beyond the GIZ funding and consulting engagement.
• The project’s emphasis on sustainability ensured that the positive impacts would continue beyond the GIZ funding and consulting engagement.
Lessons Learnt
1. Inclusivity is Key:
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from government entities to community leaders, is crucial for the success of complex development projects.
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from government entities to community leaders, is crucial for the success of complex development projects.
2. Flexibility is Essential:
The volatile context of Somalia/Somaliland demanded adaptability in the consulting approach, with the ability to pivot strategies as needed.
The volatile context of Somalia/Somaliland demanded adaptability in the consulting approach, with the ability to pivot strategies as needed.
3. Long-term Commitment:
Achieving lasting change in challenging environments requires a long-term commitment to the process and ongoing support.
Achieving lasting change in challenging environments requires a long-term commitment to the process and ongoing support.
The organizational consulting engagement with GIZ and its partners proved instrumental in expanding and sustaining maternal child health and nutrition development in Somalia/Somaliland. By establishing a solid framework, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and guiding project redesign, the project set a strong foundation for continued progress in
improving the health and well-being of mothers and children in the region. This case study exemplifies the transformative power of strategic organizational consulting in complex
international development contexts.