Building Partnerships for Sustainable Change
GOAL's Global Partnership Centre (GPC) is a cornerstone initiative aimed at fortifying GOAL’s Partnership portfolio and steadfast dedication to the localisation agenda. Established in mid-2023 with generous support from Irish Aid, the centre marks a pivotal milestone in our journey. By recognising the critical role that local actors play in leading locally-driven humanitarian initiatives, GOAL is helping to foster sustainable, systemic change.
How We Work
The GPC currently has four objectives under our Irish Aid commitment. These objectives are underpinned by the acknowledgment that local actors play a pivotal role as catalysts for systemic change.
Collaborative partnerships foster innovation and drive efficient solutions. By empowering permanent local actors to lead locally-driven humanitarian responses, we empower local communities to effectively enact lasting change.
To this end, the GPC supports GOAL country teams with advisory and support services, aimed at identifying local partners for investment.
The Centre is also strengthening the capacity of GOAL's local partners by providing technical guidance and support to their senior management teams and board members. We guide them in cultivating new competencies, strategies, systems, and structures to bolster their overall effectiveness.
This is primarily done through executive leadership coaching and mentoring. In 2023, 10 senior leaders within our partner organisations received leadership coaching from a Sierra Leone-based consultancy, Breakfast Club Africa.
Objectives
Identify local partner agencies for strategic investment
Provide training and technical guidance across a range of programmatic and operational functions
Strengthen the leadership and governances of GOAL's partner agencies
Facilitate strategic networking and collaboration between GOAL's partner agencies
Organisational Development Fund
The GPC has also established the Organisational Development Fund (ODF), with support from Irish Aid, with the recognition that identifying areas for support is only meaningful if accompanied by flexible funding.
The above map illustrates just some of the over 100 partners that GOAL works with. These highlighted partners were part of GPC’s Organisational Development Fund and received Executive Leadership Coaching in 2023.
Meet Our Partners
To learn more, watch the testimonials from two of our local partners in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia – MUSASA and the Development Expertise Centre (DEC).
Last December in Harare, MUSASA received board induction training for their new board members, with a focus on developing and understanding the corporate governance framework of the board and the board charter.
Meanwhile, in Bishoftu, DEC’s senior management team received training on leadership development and effective people management.
With support from the Global Partnership Centre, MUSASA and DEC have strengthened their leadership and governance, enabling them to become more resilient, independent, and sustainable organisations.
Meet Our Team
Mandy Yamanis
Director
Mandy became Director of GOAL's Global Partnership Centre in October 2023. Mandy orchestrates the Centre's strategic vision, focusing on identifying and nurturing partnerships with a diverse array of local agencies, including civil society groups, governmental bodies, private sector entities, academic institutions, and grassroots organisations.
Jimmy Bongo
Coordinator
Working alongside Mandy is Jimmy Bongo, our Global Partnership Coordinator. He offers senior technical leadership in managing GOAL's partnerships. With a focus on onboarding, on-granting, and performance management, Jimmy plays an a pivotal role in nurturing our collaborative endeavours.
Robert Katende
Systems Analysis & Design Advisor
Robert Katende, Global Partnership Systems Analysis and Design Advisor provides invaluable expertise in mapping systems and identifying strategic partners critical to GOAL's mission.