Consulting Experience

The Malawi Institute of Management has been in business for over nine years offering consultancy services to all sectors of the economy.  Below is a summary of a sample of the major assignments undertaken by MIM since its inception: 

• Training Needs Assessment (TNA)

One of the areas in which MIM has expertise is in the design and delivery of customized management development courses to meet unique needs of our Clients’ organizations.  In designing an in-house course MIM holds discussions with the client as to the training needs of the organization, the content of the programme and its duration.  In this way, the course being delivered will be relevant to the organization’s needs.  We undertake TNA on these courses as a matter of routine.

In designing generic courses we also undertake training needs assessments. 

Every three years MIM reviews its programme by first conducting TNA on existing and potential clients.  The purpose of these studies is to determine which courses need to be revamped, dropped from the programme, remain or be introduced.  All professional staff participate in TNA and MIM has become an expert in reviewing training activities.

• Capacity Building Assessment in Malawi - World Bank(Sponsor)

The purpose of the study was to identify the most common observable deficits in human and institutional capacity.  The main task was therefore to identify strategic capacity needs in areas critical for development.  The areas covered included Basic Education, University Education, Public Sector, Judiciary, NGOs, Private Sector, Accounting and Audit Profession, and Management Training Institutions.

• Management of Public Service Reform in Malawi - Sponsored by European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) and International Institute of Administrative Science ((IIAS)

The study involved the content of reform including socio-economic and political background, the environment of reform, nature and scope of reform programme, goals and objectives, critical appraisal of experience to date and future prospects.

• Review of Local Government Staff Recruitment and Personnel Management Systems - Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development

The purpose of the study was to review the HRM systems in the local authorities and to develop appropriate HRM systems that would facilitate effective and efficient operations of the local authorities.  The areas covered included human resource planning, staff recruitment, job grading structures, career paths, performance appraisal, salary and wage administration, industrial relations and grievance management, human resource information systems, and terms and conditions of service.

• University of Malawi Reform Study - University of Malawi

The purpose of the study was to seek measures that would introduce cost saving and income generating activities, decentralize some activities to the colleges, determine appropriate staff/student ratios, amalgamate some activities in order to eliminate duplication of effort, and change University structure in order to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Review of Personnel Policies Systems and Practices - Malawi Red Cross Society

The aim of the study was to review Malawi Red Cross Society’s existing personnel policies, practices, terms and conditions of service specifically examining remuneration and benefits, employment procedures and employees’ responsibilities to the organization.

• Restructuring of Blantyre Water Board (BWB) – Blantyre Water Board

The objectives of the study were to provide Blantyre Water Board with an organization structure that is consistent with principles of efficiency and economy; to have a highly productive and motivated work force that is appropriately rewarded for their labour; and to eliminate areas of wastage.  More specifically, the aims and objectives of the restructuring exercise were as follows:-

1. rationalize BWB’s organization structure
2. streamline BWB’s establishment;
3. identify and eliminate uneconomic work practices;
4. explore possible areas of automation; and
5. review expenditure patterns in order to curb wastage.

• Restructuring and Reorganization of COMESA - COMESA

The objective of the exercise was to put in place mechanisms to ensure that the Secretariat is suitably structured to efficiently discharge its duties.  Among other things, the study involved the design of a management and reporting structure that would enable the Secretariat to have adequate monitoring and implementation mechanisms of programmes.

• Salary Restructuring Exercise - Malawi Red Cross Society

The terms of reference for the study were to: identify anomalies in the existing salary structure and systems and recommend remedial action, review implications of conditions of service on proposed salary structure; develop new salary structure, develop a new salary administration system; and develop mechanisms to harmonize the salary structure and performance appraisal scheme.

• Management and Functional Review of the Management Unit and Zone Offices - Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF).

The main activities of this study were to review the organization structure; identify principal constraints on effective performance and recommend measures to overcome them; review job description for all posts; examine the administrative process and practices; review the divisional and zone functions; assess effectiveness and eliminate overlapping and lines of reporting; identify functions which may best be performed externally but without jeopardizing efficiency and compromising MASAF principles; and to design an appropriate instrument to assist the project develop a strategic plan.

• Job Evaluation and Salary Restructuring - Air Malawi Limited

The overall aim of the assignment was to provide a rational basis for salary administration.  Specifically, the terms of reference were to:  Identify and determine the various job categories in Air Malawi Limited; identify and determine factors against which the duties and responsibilities of a post can be assessed; help Air Malawi identify anomalies in the current pay and grading structure;  provide guidelines on job assessment procedures for use during the exercise and thereafter, train key personnel in the management of the grading scheme; and develop an appropriate salary structure.

• Job Evaluation and Grading - Malawi Railways Limited

The objectives of the consultancy were to review the current job classification; evaluate current jobs with a view to classifying them; recommend an appropriate job grading system; provide guidelines on job assessment procedures for use during the exercise and thereafter; and train key personnel in the management of job grading scheme.

• Micro-enterprise Finance in Southern Africa: The Malawi Case - Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, South Africa

The Study was aimed at analyzing status of micro-enterprise finance in Malawi.  The analysis was to focus on micro-finance institutions; associational activities; and the role of enterprise/economic education in the promotion of micro enterprises.  The analysis indicated the dominant or typical trends in the situation, but also indicated the interesting exceptions in diversifying funding for the development of small and micro-enterprises.

• Salary Restructuring and Terms and Conditions of Service - Telekom Networks Malawi Limited

The overall aim of the exercise was to review the existing salary structure and terms and conditions of service and coming up with a simple and better salary grading structure and accompanying terms and conditions of service in order to achieve the organization’s vision and mandate.

• Formulation of Strategy for the Development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Sector - Ministry of Commerce and Industry

The study’s objective was to identify critical/strategic areas requiring to be targeted to achieve rapid and sustained development of the MSME sector.  Specifically, the terms of reference included the following:-

1. Review and synthesize current and past policies and legal and regulatory environment that have a bearing on   MSMEs;
2. Review and synthesize past and existing strategies and identify critical areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the operating environment for MSMEs;
3. Propose new measures that could be taken in order to
   address the critical areas and issues that will have been identified.

• Mid Term Review of the Women in Development (ADB) Project - Ministry of Women, Youth and Community Services

The purpose of the study was to appraise the implementation of the project and its impact on the socio- economic lives of the beneficiaries.  In addition, the study drew lessons, conclusions and recommendations for the efficient and effective performance during the remaining period of the project.

• National Capacity Assessment for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Sector – Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The purpose of the study was to assess and determine the required capacity of the implementing institutions in the SME sector.  The main task was, therefore to review the policy initiatives and identify selected institutions that could implement various aspects of the Small and Medium Enterprise Programme.  The assessment covered corporate objectives, core programmes, human, physical (equipment and buildings) and financial resources; monitoring and evaluation systems, management information systems of the support organizations.  Existing strategic development plans and staff development plans of the organizations were also reviewed.

• Planning and Organization of a Micro Finance Forum – Ministry of Commerce and Industry

One of the areas in which MIM has expertise is in the planning and organization of technical workshops.  In this particular assignment MIM was requested to assist the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) plan and offer the Micro Finance Forum.  The aim of the forum was to develop a consensus on the factors that might be included and the need for a national microfinance policy.  Specifically, MIM was the organizer and manager of the forum.  It was further asked to assist government in the preparation of a paper representing a suggested approach encompassing its various programmes and experiences including the micro credit summit recommendations; and drafted a the National Forum report.

• Development of Strategic Plans for SME Support Institutions – Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Considering the role played by the SME sector in economic development of the country and the service provided by the SME Support Institutions in Malawi the project was aimed at assisting 35 SME Support Institutions develop their strategic plans under the auspices of the SME Support Fund financed by the  Government of Malawi and the World Bank.

• Study on Funding and Financing Mechanisms for the Assessment and Resource Centres – TEVETA

The main objective of the assignment was to come up with a Sustainable and cost effective financing and funding mechanisms of the ARCs.  Among other things the assignments entailed:

1. analysis and proposing of a possible  sourcing of income within the future core tasks of the centres;
2. analysis and estimation of sustainable and cost effective implications of the future governance and management structure, vision and mission, overall objectives and tasks of the centres and their fixed assets;
3. development of a concept for funding and financing mechanisms of the centres;
4. liaising with stakeholders in the development process; and
5. drafting recommendations pertaining to the implementation of the concept, including financial and anticipation of stakeholder concerns.

• Study on the Design and Development of a Sustainable and Cost-effective Governance and Management Structure of the Assessment and Resource Centres - TEVETA

The main objective of the assignment was to come up with a sustainable and cost effective governance and management structure of the assessment and resource centres.  More specifically the assignment involved:

1. The analysis of the mission, the vision and overall objectives and tasks of the centres in terms of establishing a cost-efficient, effective and sustainable governance and management structure;
2. The analysis and proposing of feasible methods of demarcating tasks to be carried out by the centre institutions and possibilities of subcontracting tasks in order to minimize initial costs and fixed recurrent expenditure;
3. The development of a proposed governance and management structure;
4. Liaising with stakeholders in the development process; and
5. The development of recommendations.

• Perception Study of the Danish Development Cooperation with Malawi from 1996 to 2000 – Royal Danish Embassy

The objective of the assignment was to provide as assessment of how DANIDA had performance during 1996-2000 in its interface with its Malawian cooperating partners with the aim of improving DANIDA performance in the next country strategy phase.  Among other things the study was to:

1. Assess the performance of DANINDA interface with its cooperating partners in order to improve DANIDA performance; and
2. Review current practices and their compliance with agreed principles of development cooperation.

• Design and Facilitation of a Workshop on Strategic Planning – New Capital Dairy (NCD)

The objective of the assignment was to design and facilitate a strategic planning workshop that would help NCD address deficiencies in some areas, improve the spirit of team work which could eventually increase productivity.

• Client Feedback Survey – World Bank

The aim of the survey was to enable the World Bank understand the failures and successes of its programmes including the factors for such.

• Development of a Strategic Plan – Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR)

The overall aim of the assignment was to assist CHRR develop its strategic plan that would chart and guide the Centre in its future direction.  In doing this the exercise used past achievement and failures to come up with a realistic strategic plan.

• Development of a Strategic Plan – Danish Centre for Human Rights (DCHR)

The aim of the assignment was to assist DCHR, through a process approach, develop a realistic and participatory Strategic Plan.

• Training Needs Assessment for Salima District Community Health and Partnership (CHAPS) – Save the Children Fund (UK)

The aim of the assignment was to design and develop an integrated training capacity for District Health Delivery Services in Salima.

• Development of Management Information System for Staff and Students – Malawi College of Health Sciences (MCHS)

The aim of the study was to analyze the existing records management systems of the College and the three campuses to enhance the flow of information into, out of and within campuses and the Central Office.  Among other systems, the study was to design and deliver computer-based for students’ applications, recruitment system, registration, and progress reporting of examinations.

• Design and Development of a Performance Management System for the Malawi Civil Service - Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD)

The assignment studied the feasibility of introducing a performance management system for senior civil servants of S4/P4 grade and above.  The study concluded that the performance related contract scheme is a bold and a way forward for government.  The scheme should be backed up by a performance management system with an open performance appraisal scheme that everybody understands as opposed to the current ‘closed confidential report system.’

• Design and Development of Sustainable Governance and Management Structure for Public Technical Colleges in Malawi – Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training

The assignment’s objective was to produce a sustainable and cost-effective governance and management structure for the public technical colleges as they strive to become autonomous.

• Assessment Study on the Impact of HIV/AIDS on Human Resources in the Malawi Civil Service – Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD)

The assignment’s objective was to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on human resources in the Civil Service in Malawi. It was expected that the findings would assist the Department of Human Resource Management and Development to create a data base on the impact of HIV/AIDS covering ten years (1990-2000). The data base would form a basis for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into all human resource policies and practices as well as for developing appropriate capacity building initiatives and HIV/AIDS action plans in the work place.

• Designing of a demand driven and cost sharing Training Fund and it Implementation Guidelines for the Public Sector – FIMTAP/Office of the President and Cabinet

The assignment’s objective was to design a training fund that would meet the needs of beneficiaries and not of training providers. One of the characteristics of the Fund was to attract beneficiary institutions in the sharing of the cost. It was also the requirement of the consultancy that the implementation guidelines accompany the report.

• Study to investigate the causes of Examinations Irregularities – Malawi National Examinations Board

The objective of the investigation was to carry out a thorough departmental review of the key technical departments in terms of human resources and equipment capacity, operational effectiveness of the processes of the examinations administration system, communication systems, between the departments and general interpersonal relationships in order to make recommendation for improvement.

• Executive assessment and selection of Project Team for FIMTAP – Office of the President and Cabinet

The assignment entailed developing and confirming the job description, advertisement, identifying interview panel, short-listing candidates, designing interview instrument, conducting interviews and writing the report. At the end of it all the following position holders were identified:

1. Project Manager
2. Project Accountant
3. Procurement Officer
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

• Facilitation of the transfer of Road User Charges Collection Mechanism from the Road Traffic Directorate to the National Road Authority – National Road Authority

The objective of the assignment was to assist the National Roads Authority to legally acquire the responsibility of managing the road user fees. The assignment therefore entailed drafting of legal documents, assessing the capacity of NRA and studying the collection systems that RTD used to collect the RUCs.

• Participatory Institutional Assessment and Capacity Building of National Directorate for Rural Development (DNDR) – Mozambique Government and African Development Bank

The study aimed at determining the implication of change in status of DNDR as a directorate in Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The study was also to identify the requirements to improve the efficiency of the institution through streamlining its administration, financial management and operations.

• Development of an Anti-Corruption Training Manual for Public Officers – Anti Corruption Bureau

The objectives of the development of a Manual that would lead to the design and development of training materials for use by various training institutions, civic education organizations, and any public institutions that are entrusted with the task of:

1. Bringing awareness to public officials of the evils of corruption in society;
2. Sensitising and educating the society away from corrupt practices and bribery, thereby creating a corrupt-free society
3. Assist in identifying methods and techniques for investigating corruption
4. Assisting in ‘bringing to book’ or prosecuting offenders as a deterrent to corruption and bribery; and
5. Generally, identifying loopholes that encourage corruption in the rules, regulations, procedures and systems with a view to plugging them.

• Review of Management Performance at the Natural Resources College – Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)

The objectives of the performance review of senior management were to:

1. Undertake the review of performance stipulated in the letter of employment/contract of the senior management;
2. Provide the necessary basis of decisions of the future of senior management at NRC. Specifically, the Review Team was required to assess whether the members of senior management, as individuals and as a team:
3. Have contributed to the necessary transformation in sufficient measure, and if not are they likely to do so in the near future, given their personal skills, motivation, experiences, work style and personal qualities;
4. Possess sufficiently broad insights and experiences in diverse fields of practical management, as well as management of a financially self-sustaining institution.

• Recruitment of the Director of the Public Enterprises Reform and Monitoring Unit – Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning

The assignment entailed developing interview instruments including assessment tool, identifying interviewers, short-listing candidates, conducting the interview and writing of a report.

• Assessment of the potential of several Human Resources Development interventions in the Ministry of Health and Population in Malawi - JHPIEGO

The aim of the project was to assess the potential of several Human Resource Development (HRD) interventions for which JHPIEGO was requested by the Ministry of Health and Population and USAID/Malawi to provide long term assistance. Specifically, the objective was to provide a systems approach that links deployment, performance appraisal and management, and training policy and plan, develop recommendation (including prioritization) for strengthening the contributions that these broad areas make to the overall HRD plan.

• Evaluation of DANIDA supported Capacity Development Institutions (NASFAM, INDEFUND, FINCA and MUSCCO) - DANIDA

The objective of this assignment was to provide documentation on the training undertaken by the four supported institutions, its effect to date and identification of further training needs