Organizational Development and Systems Strengthening (ODSS) Workshop

This course equips leaders and managers of civil society organizations with the skills to build resilient, purpose-driven institutions that can scale their impact and weather change. Through a practical and reflective approach, participants will explore how to craft a shared vision, align people and systems, strengthen team culture, and position their organizations for sustainable growth.

Participants will leave with actionable strategies to boost effectiveness, improve internal processes, motivate teams, and embed foresight into everyday decision-making.

Training Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Craft a strong organizational identity, vision, and strategic priorities.
2. Design operational systems and structures that support mission delivery.
3. Cultivate a healthy, high-performing, and inclusive work culture.
4. Exercise adaptive, values-based leadership that inspires and aligns teams.
5. Navigate organizational change with clarity and resilience.
6. Develop sustainability strategies that secure long-term relevance and impact.

Who Can Attend?

• Executive Directors, Program Managers, HR Leads, and Operations Staff in NGOs, CBOs, and social enterprises.
• Founders and senior leaders navigating organizational growth or change.
• Team leaders seeking to improve internal dynamics and systems.
• Development professionals or board members involved in strategic oversight and sustainability planning.

Course Modules

Module 1: Organizational Visioning and Strategic Goal Setting

• Understanding your organization’s “why”: revisiting mission, vision, and values.
• Tools for visioning and participatory strategy development (e.g. SWOT, PESTLE, appreciative inquiry).
• Translating vision into SMART goals and strategic priorities.
• Aligning team roles and activities with long-term goals.
• Real-world examples of transformative visioning processes.

Module 2: Institutional Structuring and Systems Design

• Choosing the right organizational model (hierarchical, matrix, networked).
• Designing structures that enable agility, accountability, and innovation.
• Building internal systems for communication, decision-making, and knowledge management.
• Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for key functions.
• Practical templates: organizational charts, workflows, delegation matrices.

Module 3: Building High-Performing and Motivated Teams

• Understanding team dynamics: roles, stages of team development, and interpersonal styles.
• Fostering psychological safety, trust, and feedback culture.
• Motivation beyond money: aligning work with meaning and purpose.
• Tools for team alignment: OKRs, team charters, regular check-ins.
• Conflict resolution and managing team tension constructively.

Module 4: Leadership for Organizational Growth

• Exploring leadership styles and their effects on organizational culture.
• Adaptive leadership: leading through complexity and change.
• Inclusion and equity in leadership: shared power and collective decision-making.
• Succession planning and leadership pipelines.
• Building leadership habits: presence, reflection, and intentionality.

Module 5: Change Management and Organizational Adaptability

• Understanding the psychology of change and resistance.
• Designing and leading change processes using models like Kotter’s 8-Step and ADKAR.
• Communicating change effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Using scenario planning and foresight tools to prepare for uncertainty.
• Case studies of successful change in African civil society organizations.

Module 6: Institutional Resilience and Sustainability Planning

• Building financial resilience: diversifying revenue and cost controls.
• Staff well-being and retention strategies.
• Risk management and contingency planning.
• Embedding sustainability in programs, governance, and operations.
• Creating an organizational sustainability scorecard or roadmap.

Bonus Practical Clinics (Optional Add-ons or Breakout Sessions):

• Clinic A: Conducting a Mini Organizational Assessment (participants use a scorecard to map their gaps)
• Clinic B: Drafting Your Organizational Sustainability Plan
• Clinic C: Team Culture Mapping Exercise (tools to assess and improve team dynamics)

Course Duration:

• 5-day in-person immersive training, or
• 14-days online series ( sessions with guided reflections and team assignments)

Expected Course Outcomes:

Participants will:

• Have a clear and actionable strategic framework for their organizations.
• Be equipped to structure their teams and operations for efficiency and clarity.
• Strengthen internal culture and leadership to boost morale and productivity.
• Understand how to manage change and uncertainty without losing mission focus.
• Walk away with a tailored sustainability and resilience action plan.