I guess the reason for taking the disbursement through a notable personnel is for accountability, in a situation whereby you realise that the fund is not well managed by your contact body, dont you think it will be a good idea to look at other options? I believe something could still be done. Dont get me wrong, the funders have genuine intentions but if the stated problem of "Who I Know and not who is capable" is not looked into, I'm afraid, it will still be the same story.  

I must say that the whole  idea of Non-Governmental Organisations going through a key contact team which is meant to represent the Country is usually as helpful as the fund is expected to be. From my experience of dealing with projects in Africa, the fund does not usually get to Organisations who are willing and have the personnel of implementing projects. Instead, the personnel who are meant to evenly disburse the funds usually give it to the groups they know not to groups who are effective. The result of such disbursement is that genuine Organisations with the mindset of providing community support are left out. In my own opinion, I think it will be a good idea if Stakeholders are allowed to apply directly for the Globalfund instead of having to go through the country representative that are most times biased and Judgmental.

How best can CCMs ensure effective coordination of technical support during grant implementation at country level?

CCM representation and involvement

• The country level stakeholders of different organizations should be involved to ensure effective coordination of technical assistance during implementation. The CCM should work more with CSOs, CBOs and FBOs.
• CCMs should be more proactive and participatory. Many times the CCM is absent during the implementation of the program.
•  A CCM should be independent, and not a political entity; its formation should be representative including members from various technical expertise and independent consultants. The selection process of the technical assistance providers should be transparent.

Assessment and expert pools

• The CCM should develop an understanding of relationships and the systems that are used by different stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of programs. This should produce a clear plan with timelines and activities in order to prove that the objectives are being achieved.
• Use of comprehensive assessments, such as field assessments and risk assessments, to produce baselines to determine what kind of technical and financial inputs are available in the country and what must be brought in from international pools.
• The Global Fund should give priority to producing a pool of experts with technical capacity that can provide required assistance and reduce costs, as well as meeting the needs arising out of the unforeseen circumstances.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Effective Monitoring & Evaluation systems should be in place and the CCM should constantly monitor the technical assistance received. This aspect should be outsourced to external consultancies to ensure objectivity. MyGlobalFund.org offers a wealth of expertise that should be tapped. 
• National responses through the different Monitoring & Evaluation committees in each country should be strengthened so that they guarantee the effectiveness of technical assistance.

Communications

• It is important to maintain the consistency among all technical assistance actors: cooperation agencies, NGOs, government structures, etc. For this, all structures need improve the communication channels that allow an effective coordination.
• Improve the communication between the Global Fund, the CCM and the LFA, along with the PR, in order to better coordinate the technical assistance.
• Create an Internet tool that registers each process of the technical assistance given. This tool can sit at the technical secretariat of the CCM and its main purpose would be to not duplicate the support and allow a more effective follow up of the assistance received.
• The availability of technical assistance should be made known to all PRs and CCMs.
• People that work on technical assistance should be aware of different human rights issues and not only focus on the technical aspects of the projects.

General

• Technical assistance should be long term and constant in order to have impact in the country.
• The Global Fund should provide technical assistance.

Contributors:

English: Fenna E. Bacchus, Javed S. Ahmad, reginabhebhe, Berhanu tesfaye, CSK001, c.Ravichandran, NFORMI EDWARD KOMUSONG, Aishath Shifana,  drabdirashid,  Thamer Kadum Yousif Al hilfy,  mukonjia,  jefft58,  awaka.

Español: Mercedes, Alejandro Uriza, jmatute, omsued, Alejandra Victoria Portatadino, Secretaria REDLACTRANS.

French: Souleymanetraore, Malakona.

Russian: Kahn Alexander, Kristina, Nelly Solomonia, Natasha Valukevich