Assessment of Compatibility of Recipient Policies and Procedures with Global Fund Requirements

Any organisation submitting for funding under the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund) needs to consider whether its own policies, procedures and organisation philosophy are compatible with Global Fund (Global Fund) processes and requirements and the extent that they may need to alter their processes in any way. While an organisation may aspire very sincerely to participate in important public health improvement initiatives, if the requirements of being a recipient sit uncomfortably with the organisation’s own philosophies or if the changes or modifications to operational procedures are too great, it may be preferable for the organisation to play a partner supporting role rather than seek to be a Recipient. In most cases, however, by undertaking a self-assessment of compatibility with Global Fund requirements, organisations can readily identify the areas requiring modification and develop acceptable arrangements without compromising their underlying organisational philosophies and values.

Issues organisations should consider include:

1. Decision-making arrangements – does the organisation have a mechanism for making business operational decisions quickly so that:

·         delay in deciding whether to accept Global Funding or not can be made promptly if an offer is made;

·        arrangements with other recipients can be made readily, and

·        changes to business operations can be made quickly as conditions and environment change?

Frequently this requires organisations to delegate relevant powers within defined limits to an appropriately structured “executive group” who can ensure rapid turn-around of decisions.

1. Banking and expenditure arrangements – Global Fund activities necessitate ready identification of expenditure and prompt disbursement to meet service provision arrangements. Frequently organisations with have limits upon allowable signatories to expenditure that will significantly slow the ability to make necessary payments. To efficiently operate as a Global Fund recipient may require expenditure authorities for Global Fund activities to be delegated while still ensuring adequate controls.

1. Service continuity issues – undertaking a Global Fund program necessitates ensuring that service continuity is not compromised by staff turnover, difficulty in recruiting appropriately skilled personnel, human resource processes followed by the organisation etc. Because of the importance placed on ensuring the prospective employees “fit” the organisation’s ethos and values, recruitment (and hence staff replacement in case of turnover) can be a very protracted process. While this may ensure that unity of vision and values is maintained, it can severely compromise service continuity. Assessment of the extent that the organisation’s human resource processes compromise its ability to fulfil Global Fund recipient functions is likely to be a very difficult and sensitive process. Consideration of outsourcing some functions may be necessary.