Our business model is premised on the need to plan and manage programmes for results. It is evident that successful and effective strategies and policies are informed by empirical evidence of their efficacy, are innovative and knowledge driven, and apply best practices – hence the paradigm shift from business as usual to a focus on measurable results
Oakwood and Associates Consultants’ authoritative analysis of issues and understanding of the complex and dynamic environment help clients to re-define their strategies, bring their services and products to a cutting edge, reposition themselves by making informed strategic choices and decisions with the view of shaping policies, influencing strategies, investments and practice, advancing knowledge and improving service delivery systems. Our approach has helped organisations re-engineer and redefine their organisational strategic drivers from vision, mandate, mission, leadership and governance, investments to their comparative advantage.
We also understand that success is largely dependent on availability of good policies and effective strategies (plans), smart and sustained investments, adequate and relevant capacity, good leadership and governance, strategic partnerships and meaningful engagement with stakeholders and communities. Efficiency, effectiveness, gender and rights mainstreaming and sustainability becomes critical success factors for any strategic programme.
Work and TA Experience
Oakwood and Associates Consultants has over 25 years extensive experience and expertise in developing effective strategies (strategic Frameworks or plans), policy documents, conducting operational research, monitoring and evaluation – including mid and end term programme reviews ad evaluations. Oakwood and Associates Consultants has solid experience in capacity building and strengthening across all sectors including health and community systems strengthening.
In strategic planning Oakwood and Associates Consultants uses “evidence-based results management” approaches, coupled with the human rights approach to programming, gender mainstreaming and the application of best practices. The services are characterised by innovation and practical solutions to complex socioeconomic and health development issues.
In the past twenty (20) years, Oakwood and Associates Consultants has focused on providing effective technical assistance and consultancy services on health care and HIV/AIDS management, health and community systems strengthening, strategic information and knowledge management, and strengthening strategic partnerships. Oakwood has provided TA to nearly all countries within the East African Community, and SADC. Clients range from government ministries and departments, private sector companies and foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies - including regional organisations such as SADC, ECA, AU, and UN agencies (i.e. UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA etc), civil society organisations and directly to communities.
Oakwood and Associates Consultants has extensive experience and expertise in developing and costed strategic plans / frameworks, operational and M&E plans, research agendas, and resource mobilisation strategies (proposals). Oakwood and Associates Consultants has been the lead consultancy in several consultancies commissioned by UNAIDS, UNDP, WHO, CSO or national governments to develop the national multisectoral HIV and AIDS strategic plans / frameworks in Botswana Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan among others. This is in addition to the development of sector specific strategic plans, HIV and gender mainstreaming strategies, programme specific (i.e. HIV testing, ART, SMC, PMTCT, HIV prevention, Adolescents and young people etc) strategic plans. Oakwood and Associates Consultants has also been involved in the design and development of country specific resource mobilisation strategies and proposals including funding concepts submitted to Global Fund and PEPFAR among other donors. I three countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia) Oakwood and Associates Consultants was involved in the organisational development of the National AIDS Authorities including restructuring, systems and policy guidelines development.
Oakwood and Associates Consultants has undertaken major regional assignments such as the review of the UNDP regional (East and Southern African) HIV and AIDS programme (5 countries), the Irish AIDS Regional HIV and AIDS programme (6 countries), The SADC review of cross boarder HIV and AIDS programme involving people living with HIV and AIDS (10 countries), The DFID / Skillshare regional livelihood programme (SADC countries), the Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) management by HACI (Hope for the African Child, 10 countries), and major programme reviews such as the data verification for the World Bank supported - Botswana National HIV and AIDS Prevention Support (BNAPS) project.
Oakwood and Associates Consultants has extensive experience in working with national, international and community-based civil society organisations ranging from programme development, leadership and governance strengthening, strategic planning and organisational development, and in the development of resource mobilisation strategies.
Oakwood and Associates Consultants facilitated the first meeting that set up the Global Fund that was held in Lilongwe, Malawi commissioned by United Nations Office for Projects Support (UNOPS) for the Africa region. Following the launch of the Global Fund, Oakwood and Associates Consultants has support countries in developing funding proposals, concept, and providing TA to operationalise grants through Principal and Sub Recipients of the grants. Oakwood and Associates Consultants delivers capacity building and strengthening through training workshops, seminars, supportive supervision, mentorship, internships and facilitating exchange and study programmes.
Oakwood’s Capacity Statement
Oakwood and Associates Consultants and Associates currently have a core staff of five (5) Associate professionals consultants i.e. three (3) Kenyans, one (1)Zambian and one (1) Zimbabwean. Oakwood and Associates Consultants has access to a pool of more than 20 other different professional experts in a wide range of technical fields – including strategic planning, Finance, Organisational development, M&E, PSM, research, medicine (doctors), ICT