Planning

Umhlaba provides planning services for strategic planning of development institutions, project formulation, development product design, and implementation planning. Umhlaba planning facilitators are experienced in the logical framework approach to planning, as well as objectives oriented strategic planning facilitation.

Evaluations and Reviews

Development projects and programmes need to establish impact and continuity in order to be successful. Umhlaba conducts review and evaluation exercises necessary to ascertain these. Using clear and consistent indicator driven methodologies, Umhlaba's reviews are conducted through participatory approaches. Two forms of evaluation are undertaken: Project Reviews according to logical framework; and, programme and organisational evaluations.

Executive Management Support

Umhlaba has developed extensive experience in providing direct and appropriate management support to a range of large institutions, with a focus on skills development and the Sector Education and Training Authorities. Management support includes provision of CEO and leadership support services, and planning and implementation support for large scale programmes.

Project Management

In development there is always a need for capacity to deliver programmes in situations where little institutional capacity exists. Umhlaba has established project management and implementation capacity which provides the following services: Programme and project design; Output oriented implementation management; Financial Administration & Management; Monitoring and Evaluation of programmes and projects; Stakeholder Management to ensure that all relevant stakeholders in development programmes are kept informed and supportive of objectives and implementation processes.

Acredited Training Areas

Umhlaba Development Services is an accredited training provider having been provided this status by the Services Sector Education and Training Authority. ( Services Seta) The focus of our training is to build management and systems capacity in government and non governmental development actors with a specific focus on project management, leadership and strategic management and people management. Our trainers are experienced in the development sector and have excelled in training a range of actors in South Africa and the African continent on Logframe and Policy Advocacy.

Institutional Development and Training

Umhlaba provides skills programming services and accredited training provision through a dedicated subsidiary company, Umhlaba Skills Services. (For more information go to Umhlaba Skills Services)

Research and Policy Development

Umhlaba provides specialist research and policy development services in the following thematic areas: Community Crime Prevention; Social Services; NPOs and Civil Society; Skills Development; and, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Quality Assurance

Umhlaba prides itself on the capacity and skills of its professional staff and associates. In order to ensure a high quality of service, Umhlaba inserts quality control safeguards in all agreements with its clients. These centre around the use of monitoring and feedback mechanisms, as well as client protection contractual clauses. Under this agreement, any client who feels that an inferior service or quality has been offered, and this is verified by a mutually agreed external monitor or arbitrator, will have the situation rectified by Umhlaba at no extra charge to the client.