Our Strategic Pillars
Caritas Marsabit has identified six strategic pillars that guide
our work and help us address the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
These pillars form the foundation of our programs and initiatives:
1. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): We strive to improve access
to clean water, and proper sanitation facilities, and promote hygienic practices.
Our WASH programs focus on constructing and rehabilitating water sources,
building latrines, and conducting hygiene promotion activities to ensure
healthier living conditions for the most vulnerable communities of Marsabit
County. Caritas Marsabit Specific objectives under this program include;
·
Potable
water supply at the household and institution levels increased
·
Empowered
communities managing water resources effectively
·
Improved
access to safe sanitation and hygiene
2. Health and
Nutrition:
Caritas Marsabit is dedicated to improving the health and nutrition status of
the people in the county. We provide healthcare services, promote preventive health
practices, conduct awareness campaigns, and support nutrition programs to
combat malnutrition and enhance overall well-being. The program`s specific
objectives include:
• To reduce morbidity and
mortality rates of children and mothers
• To promote preventive Health
practices
• Promote advocacy on health
issues
3. Sustainable
Livelihoods:
Caritas Marsabit supports the development of sustainable livelihood options for
individuals and communities. We provide vocational training, entrepreneurship
development, and access to microfinance to empower people to generate income,
improve their economic situation, and reduce poverty. The specific objectives
under this theme include:
• To promote diverse income-generating activities
• To enhance Livestock production
and marketing
4. Justice
and Peace (JP):
We advocate for justice, equality, and peace in Marsabit. Our programs focus on
promoting social cohesion, conflict resolution, human rights awareness, and
strengthening community-based justice systems. We strive for a just and
peaceful society where everyone can live harmoniously. The specific objectives
under this program include:
•To promote communities` engagement in peace-building and conflict
transformation processes.
•Increase public participation in good governance issues at local
and national levels
5. Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, and Natural Resource
Management (DCC-NRM):
We work towards building resilience and mitigating the impacts of disasters and
climate change. Our efforts include disaster preparedness, climate change
adaptation strategies, sustainable land and water management, and conservation
of natural resources. The specific objectives include:
• Promote sustainable use of
natural resources
• Increase communities` capacities
to manage disaster
• Reduce communities` suffering
during emergencies
6.
Institutional Development and Capacity Strengthening (IDCS)
Caritas Marsabit places significant emphasis on Institutional
Development and Capacity Strengthening as a pivotal pillar in its strategic
plan. This commitment stems from the organization's recognition of deficiencies
in organizational policies before 2015, wherein the Human Resources (HR) policy
was merely a two-page document utilized across the entire diocese, lacking the
depth necessary for effective management. The financial manual was brief,
outlining minimal guidelines on procurement, and several essential policies
were absent.
During the preceding strategic period (2015-2020), Caritas
Marsabit underwent substantial institutional growth. A series of
self-assessments revealed longstanding institutional gaps, allowing the
organization to formulate comprehensive work plans addressing these issues.
Notably, the strategic initiative aligned with the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est,
which emphasized the importance of professional competence among individuals
caring for those in need. In response, Caritas Marsabit developed a robust HR
policy, aligning with contemporary standards, and fostering improved recruitment
processes, staff establishment, and retention.
The implementation of a structured organogram, clear reporting
lines, and detailed job descriptions for all positions significantly
contributed to attracting and retaining competent staff. The positive shift is
evident as Caritas Marsabit now attracts professionals from peer organizations,
marking a departure from the high staff turnover experienced in the past.
Financial management and operational procedures have undergone
periodic improvements, earning approval from partners and auditors due to
robust internal control systems. Annual organizational audits and
project-specific audits enhance accountability, transparency, and quality
management, culminating in organizational efficiency and a diverse resource
base.
Caritas Marsabit further refined logistics and procurement through
a separate policy document. Manuals for fleet management, warehouse operations,
anti-fraud, gender, child protection, sexual harassment, and community feedback
and complaints handling mechanisms were developed and implemented.
The organization's governance structure now includes a fully
constituted board meeting bi-annually, providing oversight to different
departments. As a member of the CHS Alliance, Caritas Marsabit has achieved a
well-structured institutional system. Nevertheless, the organization
acknowledges the need for continuous improvement in capacity. Collaborating
with partners and donors, Caritas Marsabit has undertaken various
capacity-strengthening initiatives. The organization engaged in discussions
with Caritas Kenya on institutional capacity strengthening and shared learning
with other diocesan Caritas Organizations.
One significant proposal involved the assessment against the
Caritas Internationalis Management Standards (CIMS) within the dioceses.
Caritas Marsabit aims to conduct a self-assessment against CIMS in the new
strategic plan, reflecting the organization's commitment to sustained growth
and adherence to international standards. Here are three specific objectives
for IDCS:
Comprehensive
Policy Framework:
Develop and implement a comprehensive policy framework that addresses
organizational deficiencies, ensuring adherence to contemporary standards and
best practices. This includes revising and expanding the Human Resources (HR)
policy, financial manual, and other essential policies to guide effective
management, recruitment processes, and operational procedures.
Professional
Competence and Staff Retention: Enhance the professional competence of the organization's
workforce by implementing a robust HR policy. This involves providing proper staff training, improving recruitment processes, establishing clear
reporting lines through the development of an organogram, and creating detailed
job descriptions for all positions. The goal is to attract, retain, and empower
competent professionals, reducing staff turnover and fostering a more stable
and skilled workforce.
Efficient
Financial Management and Accountability: Strengthen financial management and accountability through the
periodic improvement of operational procedures, and internal control systems, and
the development of specific manuals for logistics, procurement, fleet
management, and warehouse operations. Conduct routine audits, including annual
organizational audits and project-specific audits, to identify gaps, establish
corrective measures, and enhance overall financial efficiency, transparency,
and accountability. This objective contributes to diversifying the resource
base and ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability.