39th Partnership for Peace (PfP) course on Quality and Results Based Management in Mine Action
The course covers Results Based Management and Quality Management in Mine Action.
Within the framework of the PfP Partnership Work Programme, the Swiss Government, through the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), has the honor to invite qualified representatives from all PfP Partner States to the course on Quality and Results Based Management in Mine Action.
Topics
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00Objective
The objectives of the course are to:
- Enhance the understanding of (a) systematic QM and (b) RBM, in the mine action sector, and the tools and techniques to implement it;
- Enhance the understanding of the way that QM and RBM are based on Information Management, and the advantages that GIS and dashboards offer;
- Encourage the development of QM and RBM policies at all levels; and
- Increase the understanding, knowledge and use of QM and RBM in mine action.
00Program and Method
The course, organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), provides an opportunity for mine action stakeholders to develop basic knowledge of the benefits of Results Based Management (RBM) and systematic Quality Management (QM) in mine action, and introduces them to up-to-date methods and tools. It is intended to show mine action officials, practitioners and donors the use of available tools and methods for managing all parts of the mine action project cycle for better results and improved quality.
The focus of the course is on understanding and practical skills that will be applied by the participants once they return to their work. The course will only teach theory where necessary to underpin the practical aspects.
Quality Management and Results Based Management
QM in mine action is based on the international QM standards in the ISO9000 series, as defined in International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). In the past there has been a focus on the control of quality of land that has been cleared, but there are significant benefits in a much wider systematic approach to QM that includes all humanitarian mine action processes from planning to audit. To get the full benefits, quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control need to be implemented at all stages, and continual improvement methods used at all times. Key contributions come from: mapping processes and identifying, rectifying and preventing non-conformities; and capturing lessons learned and applying the lessons in the next project cycle.
A process approach to QM in mine action includes the definition and close monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs). Using dashboards to display KPIs allows information to be seen at a glance and deviations from the plan to be identified quickly. In a donor-funded programme with many stakeholders, RBM is used as a way to manage customer-supplier relationships that are at the center of QM. In mine action there are often no clear “customers”, but beneficiaries, implementers, funders, and planners. RBM also provides a framework to define and measure the impact, efficiency, relevance and effectiveness of programmes. Unless progress can be measured, there is no way to be sure that a project is advancing towards its objectives.
The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Information Management (IM) are now fundamental to results and QM in mine action, and provide tools to use large amounts of information in programmes.
Course outline
The course's presentations, discussions and group work will cover the following topics:
- QMS, Accreditation, QA, QC, continual improvement
- Processes, Standards and non-conformities
- RBM and Project Cycle Management (PCM)
- QM and Gender
- QM/RBM for Land Release and Priority Setting
- Information Management
- Monitoring and evaluation for RBM and QM
- Indicators, Dashboards & GIS as management tools
00Participants
- This course is intended for Officers, NCO's and civilian MoD and MFA staff assigned to peacekeeping operations, personnel awaiting deployment in support of similar missions that have or are planning to establish a mine action component or are involved in mine action in a similar form.
- It is important that participants of this course have some previous experience with mine action at a programme level. Basic computer skills are required. In addition, the active participation of students during the training is required, as well as excellent knowledge of English.
00Cost
The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for training materials (excluding laptop computers), internet, lunch and accommodation while in Geneva (5 November, earliest date of arrival to 11 November, latest date of departure).
Travel costs from country of origin to Geneva, Switzerland has to be covered by each respective organisation. It is recommended that all participants schedule an arrival in Geneva, Switzerland no later than Sunday, 5 November 2017. A limited number of sponsorships for travel expenses is available from the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). Sponsorship is not guaranteed and requests will be considered on a case by case basis. It is imperative that applicants wishing subsidies for transportation get in touch with the GICHD as soon as possible (pfp@gichd.org), before making any arrangements, and not later than the application deadline.
More Information
Course duration
Location
Maison de la Paix
1202 Geneva
Switzerland