You can call it an arranged marriage

MS Uganda’s Director, Mads Benedictus Jorgensen answers the most frequently asked questions about the merger between MS Uganda and Action Aid Uganda.

A boy in Karamoja - Photo by Paul Menya

10. March 2009

Why is AAI interested in partnering with MS and why is MS interested in AAI?
It is my understanding that AAI see MS as a serious and experienced development actor, that can provide strategic and financial support to AAI in its process of developing a vibrant and strong International Network. By joining AAI MS becomes part of a strong international network working for a more just and fair world order.

Is it a merger or a take over? Was it an arranged marriage or a forced one?
It is definitely not a take-over, but you could call it an “arranged marriage” between MS and AAI, since both organizations have clear interest.

Does the merger have an effect on the CPS 2008-11 and what will happen to partners after the CPS 2008-11 ends?
The CPS will be integrated with AAIU’s programmes, but I can assure all that the CPS 2008-11 will be fully implemented and that we will honor all partnership agreements. Even though MS Uganda and AAIU merge, we will make sure that the transition will not affect the implementation by providing the necessary support to AAIU both nationally and regionally. After 2011, when agreements with MS Uganda expires, I can not promise the partners a continuation – a potential continuation after 2011 will have to be based on mutual interest between AAIU and the partners.

What will happen to the MS Country Directors and staff?
I continue as MS Uganda Director until the merger is completed. After completion of the merger, the AAI Uganda Country Director will be responsible for both AAIU / MS Uganda programmes. However, we will ensure that AAIU will receive the necessary support in the transition in terms of human resources etc. The MS Uganda CO staff will continue until the merger is completed and some will also be offered opportunities in the future set-up, if they are interested. In the course of 2009, MS Uganda and AAIU will have a clear idea about future merged programmes and the future organizational structure, which will be shared with everybody as soon as it’s completed.

What will happen to the MS Uganda Country Office?
The MS Uganda Country Office as we know it today will disappear, but AAI Uganda will have a Country Office, which also manages and administrates MS programmes like the CPS etc.

Will AAI keep on being interested in Democracy and governance?
I am pretty sure that AAI Uganda will continue being interested in Democracy and governance interventions. In fact, AAI already have the Right to Just and Democratic Governance as a strategic priority, so it is not new to them. We do believe that – by merging our programmes – the governance components will only be further strengthened. As MS Uganda we bring in three well defined and organised thematic components; Building Local Democracy, Anti Corruption and Trade Empowerment, which all fit’s well with AAIU thematic components and thinking.

What does the road map look like?
In all MS countries, also Uganda, a Change Management Committee (CMC) have been established, which comprises of three members from each organization. The CMC is responsible for developing a change management plan, which clearly will explain how the merger of programmes, offices, HR etc will happen. In the CMC, we hope to have finalized the first draft by the end of March 2009. The plan will then go through various consultations before we will start the gradual implementation. I believe that MS Uganda and AAIU will have completed the merger by the end of 2009.

Will MS Uganda’s PAC continue?
The MS Uganda PAC will be dissolved when the merged is completed. AAIU already has a governance structure in place and during the merger process we strive to identify entry-points that MS Uganda stakeholders can seek in order to influence governance in AAIU.

What will happen to the Development Worker programme?
Last year, MS evaluated its personnel assistance programme. Among other things, the evaluation concluded that MS should revise its personnel assistance programme, which actually took place in November 2008, where the MS DK Board approved a new People for Change policy paper, which entails new categories of future personnel assistance and approaches. All contracts for current DW’s will be honoured. The new People for Change policy paper will be forwarded to all relevant stakeholders early 2009, so we jointly can internalize and start implementing it.

What will happen to the red cars, logos and any symbols of MS?
Fortunately AAI Uganda also has red cars, so during the merger process, we will hand-over all MS Uganda assets to AAI Uganda. All MS Uganda symbols, logos etc will be changed to AAI Uganda when the merger is complete.

Is this going to benefit the poor people?
Definitely – the whole purpose of merging mutual resources and experience is to develop better programmes that will benefit the poor and marginalized. The merger will also change the power relations between North and South, so much more power will be provided to the South in terms of having national AAI organizations, since they will have their own decision-making boards comprising of Ugandan people.

Action plan for merger between MS Uganda and Action Aid Uganda

A Change Management Committee comprising of three members from MS Uganda and three members of Action Aid Uganda is, in a consultative manner, in the process of designing the change management plan (“road-map”), which will outline how we intend to merge strategies of the two organisations.

The committee had its first meeting on 24th and 25th November 2008. It was decided to have finalized the draft of the plan by 1st April 2009. The plan will outline the integration of the following elements: 1. communication, 2. strategies and programmes, 3. governance structures, 4. human resources, 5. systems (administration), 6. office location etc. Policy Advisory Council (PAC) members, country office staff, development workers and partners will be informed and consulted throughout the process. PAC representatives, relevant country office staff and DWs already participated in workshops on the best way forward for a Joint Programme Strategy on 5th – 6th February 2009 and for a Joint Governance Strategy on 13th February 2009 together with Action Aid members of staff and board members.

The final timeframe for the merger between the two organisations has not yet been decided. But Uganda is one of the countries where both organisations are very well established and where the merger process will be faster than in most other countries. Unless unforeseen circumstances appear, the merger between MS Uganda and Action Aid Uganda will be completed by the end of 2009. MS Uganda’s focus in 2009 is the implementation of our Country Programme Strategy (CPS) 2008-11. Despite the merger the Country Programme Strategy 2008-11 will be fully implemented. Partnership agreements will be honoured as long as both MS Uganda and the partners live up to each other’s expectations.