Bangladesh Mahila Parishad - Norad

30through a structured process characterized by checks and balances whereparticipation, transparency and accountability are important values. Programmeimplementation is the responsibility of the sub-committees and the district executivecommittees. Coordination between the two levels is ensured through participation bydistrict executive members in the central committee and through visits by centralcommittee staff to the districts. Monitoring is an integral part of a continuousdiscussion among the secretaries of the organization, visits by the central committeeto the districts, as well as a more formalized process of bottom-up reporting onimplementation of planned activities.4.2 Specific measures implemented since 2010 to strengthenthe organizationThe following measures were introduced during the current phase of the project:1) Following the increase in Norwegian funding in late 2010, 26 new staff wererecruited in 2011. 20 staff were recruited to the head office, of these 14 wereprofessional staff appointed to support the work of the sub-committees, andthree were administrative staff. Seven staff were recruited to the districts.There are currently 59 paid staff at the head office. Roughly half areprofessional staff with responsibilities directly related to the implementationof the Norwegian project. The largest group of professionals is lawyers whoare employed under the legal sub-committee. The other half of the staff atheadquarters performs support functions such as administration and finance(15), logistics, and office maintenance. This means that the number ofprofessional staff available to support the volunteers is still relatively few withthe exception of lawyers.2) For the Danish project, 12 staff will be assigned. Four programme officersand one project coordinator have been employed and three administrativepositions have been established.3) Several measures have been introduced to ensure effective officemanagement at head office.a. As a result of the hiring of new staff and with the intention of betterintegration between paid and voluntary staff, paid staff has beenincluded in the sub-committees.b. A group of seven (four volunteers and three staff) was set up tooversee office management on a daily basis (2010). This group isresponsible for overseeing office activities, recruitment and to ensureefficient utilization of resources.c. There are monthly meetings for administrative staff to review issues.d. There are monthly staff meetings to monitor attendance, reviewprogrammes and share problems.e. Six monthly review meetings are held for coordination between headoffice and district staff.