How to deal with political instability during project implementation
Written by Shagufta Hameed Bhatti, Center for Communication Programs, Pakistan
What will I learn in this How-to Guide?
How to adapt your project and strategies and stay innovative during political instability
Please describe a real-life problem your organisation has faced when managing projects effectively.
Our project’s desired outcome was an amendment in the legislation of the Child Marriage Restraint Act by June 2018, which was the end of our project. However, implementation of the project and achievement of the outcome became a challenge due to political instability in Pakistan. In addition, the term of the government was to end by May 2018, followed by a dissolvement of the assemblies and a general election. There was a strong possibility of a coalition government after the election, so we needed to factor these political and governmental changes into our project plan as they would have a direct impact on successful legislative amendment.
This change had an impact on our project management. It meant we would need to meet with key political-party workers, manifesto-committee members as well as former legislators who were not originally part of the project plan. It also meant a possible increase in inter-city and cross province travel. Budget implications were therefore expected.
How did you work on this problem and what changes did you make?
We expanded our project scope to include the addition of advocacy for child marriage in political party manifestos.
By coordinating with CSOs, NGOs and networks to ensure that meetings with key party workers and party manifesto-committee members were held at the same time as other already planned meetings, our organisation ensured that minimal adjustments were needed to the project budget.
What did you achieve?
As a result of the expanded project scope and us foreseeing a coalition government in Pakistan after the general elections, our continued advocacy efforts successfully achieved the inclusion of child marriage in the manifesto of two major political parties; Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. This will support the lobbying and advocacy for legislative amendment with new legislators and assembly.
It is to be noted that other CSOs and networks were also advocating for inclusion of the issue so our organisation contributed to the effort but cannot wholly be credited for the changes.
Thanks to close coordination with CSOs/NGO networks as well as a tight control and management of project spend we managed to implement the project as per project budget.
What did you achieve?
As a result of the expanded project scope and us foreseeing a coalition government in Pakistan after the general elections, our continued advocacy efforts successfully achieved the inclusion of child marriage in the manifesto of two major political parties; Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. This will support the lobbying and advocacy for legislative amendment with new legislators and assembly.
It is to be noted that other CSOs and networks were also advocating for inclusion of the issue so our organisation contributed to the effort but cannot wholly be credited for the changes.
Thanks to close coordination with CSOs/NGO networks as well as a tight control and management of project spend we managed to implement the project as per project budget.
What did you learn from this experience?
Despite risks and changing environments, projects can be managed through anticipating challenges and developing strategies that can be adjusted depending on circumstances. The more push there is on a certain issue, the more is the likelihood of achievement. Innovative strategies can overcome budget limitations. Strong advocacy, honesty and developing a connection with legislators, CSOs, NGOs etc. can go a long way in supporting project goals.
What are your tips for someone facing the same or similar issues?
- To manage projects effectively, reach out to like-minded NGOs/CSOs – building synergies is instrumental in achieving targets and results
- Be innovative and take risks to achieve a goal
Shagufta Hameed Bhatti, Center for Communication Programs, Pakistan
Shagufta Hameed Bhatti is the Program Director of the Center for Communication Programs, Pakistan. She has more than 17 years of diverse professional experience of working on child-, adolescent- and youth-rights programmes and projects, with a focus on protection and education. Her expertise lies in the area of advocacy, programme/project planning and management. Her experience ranges from grass-roots level implementation to policy advocacy with the provincial governments.
