Alliance embarks on exciting programme of organisational change
29 July 2005
Following the completion of an organisational review mainly focused on the operations of its UK secretariat, the Alliance has begun implementing a wide ranging change process to enhance its high quality programming and policy influence worldwide.
Since its establishment in 1993 the Alliance has grown significantly, and no more so than in the last few years, according to the organisation’s executive director Dr Alvaro Bermejo.
“In the last three years our income has grown threefold from $13.3 million in 2002 to $37.6 million in 2004,” said Dr Bermejo.
“We are now present in some 30 countries and are having an impact through our enhanced regional efforts and through the growing influence of our global policy work.
“The Alliance has much to be proud of, however, wherever we turn the epidemic continues to outstrip even our most ambitious efforts and we need to do much more to prevent and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in the developing world.
“This year, following extensive consultation on the development of our new strategic framework, the Alliance carried out an organisational review, principally focused on its secretariat. The review identified the need for the Alliance to strengthen the organisation’s leadership and management capacity and to improve synergies between operational areas.”
Strengthening organisational leadership
One of the changes being implemented is the creation of separate Policy and Technical Support directorates at the secretariat, with new Policy and Technical Support Directors. This change reflects a commitment to secure the quality and timeliness of the technical assistance provided to Alliance partners and the growing importance of policy and advocacy work at both the national and international levels in the Alliance’s future plans.
The senior management team will also include a new post of Associate Director: Programmes who will be responsible for strengthening the overall learning and capacity of Alliance country offices, linking organisations and secretariat. This new position will also lead efforts to improve links between field programme and monitoring, research and evaluation efforts.
Enhanced regional and cross regional programming
The new structure also aims to enhance the Alliance’s work at the national level through better regional and cross regional programming. This is being achieved through the development and enhancement of the Alliance’s regional presence including the appointment of regional representatives, the development of regional strategies and through a stronger focus on cross regional collaboration.
Cultural and operational change for improved effectiveness
The review also identified important opportunities to improve strategic and operational planning, management effectiveness and cross departmental collaboration. Over the coming months a range of initiatives will be undertaken with a view to making improvements in all of these areas.
Improving the support we provide to community action on AIDS in developing countries
“All of the changes are directed at improving the work we do with our partners in developing countries,” says Dr Bermejo. “That is and always will be the test of our organisational structure and processes and I firmly believe that these innovations will make an important contribution to the Alliance’s capacity to take the community response to HIV/AIDS in the developing world to scale.
“The growth in new HIV infections and the continuing impact of the epidemic on the lives of millions of people living with, and affected by HIV/AIDS across the world, demands strong and speedy action.
“I am very excited that through these changes we will be able to act with greater strength and speed.”
