To create a more effective and efficient working environment for health logistics professionals in developing countries, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT uses and encourages the use of comprehensive organizational strengthening practices.
This approach includes interventions that can improve organizational, as well as individual performance. The intervention level is the best place to see the differences between the two types of performance improvement:

• Organizational performance improvement or strengthening makes needed changes in the organization to better support the worker in doing his or her job.

• Individual performance improvement focuses on increasing the worker’s knowledge and improving their skills, which enables them to do a better job.

The project uses a performance improvement model to plan, design, and implement training and non-training interventions; this will enhance the logistics systems and improve product availability.

The goal of the project’s organizational strengthening team is to ensure the increased availability of contraceptives and other essential health products. To accomplish this, the team uses a variety of tools and interventions—job aids, standard operating procedures manuals, facilitation, training, and organizational development—to improve in-country logistics systems and thus increase the capacity of local partners.

In one example of the project’s participatory learning methods, students simulate a reproductive health supply chain in the classroom, reenacting the daily activities of staff at all levels of the logistics system. When the simulation ends, participants have a better understanding of the overall supply chain process. They also see firsthand that good service will follow if everyone at all levels—central, regional, and local—communicate and cooperate. We make training interventions like these available to health system representatives, including logistics advisors, Ministry of Health delegates, and members of nongovernmental organizations.

To help ensure that we offer effective interventions, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT has developed standards for organizational strengthening—

• analysis

• strategies

• interventions

• evaluations of interventions.

For more information on the project’s organizational strengthening activities, please contact us at askdeliver@jsi.com.