Facilitation Development Course
Course brief
Skillful and thoughtful facilitation is an indispensable skill for anyone who works with people to get things done. It is vital for achieving results, and the bedrock of inclusive decision making. Facilitation can bring groups of people alive, help them make decisions together, secure a better sense of ownership and identify a clear direction. It is the ‘mortar between the bricks’ of development work, and often needed for solving problems, gaining consensus and mediating in conflict. This course equips participants to bring more successful outcomes to their work by broadening their repertoire of facilitation tools and strengthening their facilitation skills.
Who the course is for
The 3-day course has been designed to benefit anyone who finds themselves facilitating meetings, events and processes with groups and organisations, and who would like to improve their practice. For example:
· Programme/project managers and front-line field staff of civil society organisations
· Leaders in communities and associations (including religious and professional communities, and communities that share an interest in something).
· Extension agents/officers of government agencies such as health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation
· Staff of private companies, especially those responsible for change management, public relations or corporate social responsibility.
Course overview
1. What is facilitation?
2. Facilitation paradigms
3. Key facilitation frameworks
4. Facilitation methods, skills and tools
5. Managing group dynamics
6. Facilitation disciplines
Course methodology
PDA’s training programmes offer a thoughtful, lively and interactive learning space, where each participant can address his/her learning needs individually. Our training is participatory in nature, allowing time for a mix of individual reflection, practical group work and presentations. Participants learn through:
- presentations of theory and approaches
- working with their own experience to draw out insights
- application of ideas through case studies, group exercises and individual design exercises
- practice in facilitation
- creative exercises.
The training process depends on everyone’s full and active participation. Participants must be aware of the need for this when they apply.
Course fee and logistics
This is a three-day, full-time, non-residential course, with sessions between 8.00am and 4.00pm. Participants can thus make accommodation arrangements of their choice, but need to be present for all sessions. The course fee of GH¢900 covers tuition, training materials, lunch, and a certificate.
Course venue
Yiri Lodge, University of Ghana – Legon, Accra
Course Date
17 to 19 October 2016
Lead course facilitators
The course will be facilitated by any two of the following:
Esi Sey
Esi Sey brings several years’ experience of facilitating the capacity-building processes of civil society organisations, and training them in the art of facilitation. In her current practice as a freelance process facilitator, Esi continues to work with civil society organizations, accompanying their organization development processes and training them in core areas such as facilitation skills development, strategy development, monitoring & evaluation, advocacy strategy development, networking, team-building and strengthening of organisational sustainability. She also works with the leadership of both civil society and private sector organisations, supporting them to strengthen performance, results and staff motivation through leadership training and coaching, team building and conflict management. Her client base includes regional and international NGOs, national policy and advocacy organisations, community-based organisations, public sector institutions and private sector organisations. Esi Sey is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration and Policy Management.
Tony Dogbe Tony is a co-founder and the former Managing Director of Participatory Development Associates (PDA) Ltd, which was founded in 2001. Before this he was the Executive Director of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) for nearly 9 years. He also worked for VSO for 3 years as a Programme Officer and served for 4 years as a member of its international Board of Trustees. His work, over his 30 years’ career as a development practitioner, has included facilitating community-driven development, facilitating participatory development processes and engagements, and facilitating processes for organisational development and change management. Tony holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Political Science and MSc in Community Organisation for Rural Development.
Celia Marshall has been one of PDA’s lead facilitators for over 15 years. She has designed and facilitated numerous programmes in facilitation, the application of participatory methods and many other aspects of development work. Originally from the UK, for the past 25 years she has worked with people, within and for, groups, communities and organisations in Ghana and the UK as a facilitator, trainer, researcher, volunteer, member, teacher, consultant and manager. Celia has a particular interest in promoting cross-cultural understanding and in nurturing creativity in people and organisations. She holds an MSc in Community Organisation for Rural Development.
How to apply
To apply for this course either visit the PDA website www.pdaghana.com, select IDPM from the menu, download and complete an IDPM application form and email it to idpm@pdaghana.com gkmensah@pdaghana.com or call 0503362035 or 0302 970177 (Mon to Fri, 8am – 4pm).
Applications must be sent one week before the start of the course. Early booking is recommended as places are limited. If you book and confirm your place 14 days before the start date you will earn a 5% discount off your course fee.
Payment of fees
Course fees must be paid before the start of the course. Payment may be made by bank transfer (evidence of payment should be scanned and emailed to idpm@pdaghana.com or in-person at either of the PDA offices in Kumasi or Accra.
For more information
Please phone or email the IDPM Coordinator directly with any enquiries about our courses 0503362035 or 0302 970177 (Mon to Fri, 8am – 4pm).
*This course, as well as many others that the IDPM offers, can also be made available as a tailor-made courses attuned to your specific needs and context.