ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN PACT ETHIOPIA

Abstract

NGOs, before channeling funds to their sub-grantees, they conduct assessments to make sure that the money will be used for the intended purpose. This study would like to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of grant management practices of one of the international, non-governmental organizations operating in Ethiopia, which is Pact. In recent years, Pact has experienced tremendous growth in managing grant awards valued over 121 million USD projects. The number of sub-recipients working in the last few years was over 81. The purpose of this research is to explore the practices of Pre award assessment and Post award monitoring on grant management efficiency and effectiveness in Pact Ethiopia country office. In addition, this research sought to examine the grant management competencies of Pact and challenges facing in the grant process. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative (mixed) research methods. Purposive sampling were used to reach to study sample of 35 respondents from Pact and its sub-grantee. These included project managers/officers, project coordinators, project managers/finance officers, project grant managers/officer and monitoring evaluation managers/officers. The data were collected using structured questionnaires. These instruments were administered physically to the selected respondents from Pact and its sub-grantees. Existing literature available on efficiency and effectiveness of grant management practices are explored. The main finding of this research is that Pact has been inefficient in the application of some grant management competencies. The research found out also the corresponding challenges of inefficient application of competencies faced by Pact. Further this research finds that pre-award assessment and post award monitoring and support have a direct impact in Pacts grant management efficiency and effectiveness. It is therefore recommended that, Pact should practices self-assessment on ensuring grant competency. As some of the inefficiencies are attributed to weak information system, automating of the grant management process with centralize database is recommended. It is also recommended that use pre-award assessment result as a key criteria for selection sub-grantee and monitor its capacity development intervention to ensure performance for betterment of grant management efficiency and effectiveness.