Where We Work : Sierra Leone : Training

Training is the backbone of BRAC’s programmes in Sierra Leone. As BRAC hires new staff, many of them straight out of college, it is critical to provide them with sufficient orientation and training. BRAC believes in constantly investing in building the capacity of existing staff, helping them to learn new skills and grow within the organisation.

Training New Staff

In 2009, 120 staff members attended BRAC training courses in Sierra Leone. Most of the new staff will be working as Credit Officers and community organisers, spending almost 80% of their time running microfinance meetings, community Health Forums, awareness-raising activities and undertaking survey work and monitoring. All the training is participatory and includes brainstorming, large and small group discussions, case study analysis, and presentations.

Training is also given to the area and branch managers, programme officers, trainers and community organisers for the different programmes. We offer two types of training: operational training and financial management training. The training needs of the programmes are being continually assessed with frequent field visits by the team of permanent trainers and a wider pool of trainers.

To ensure our staff and volunteers are always kept up-to-date on the latest developments in their fields and provide the communities they work in with this information, BRAC organises monthly refresher training for all its CHVs and CHWs, Livestock Volunteers and Agriculture Extension Workers. For our managers, we hold monthly staff meetings at our country office, and for our supervisors, weekly meetings at their respective area and branch offices. All BRAC courses are conducted by professional facilitators who have considerable experience in training and capacity building in Bangladesh and internationally.