Project Management training for 17 grantees from the Justice Initiative Facilitation Fund (JIFF)

On August 1-2, 2023, 17 grantees from the Justice Initiative Facilitation Fund (JIFF) participated in the first training program on Project Management. The training program was attended by 61 delegates from 6 provinces and cities of the JIFF Foundation. Representing the state agency was Mr. Dao Quy Loc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice; Director of the Project Management Unit (EU JULE), Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai – a Member of the Approval Committee of the JIFF Foundation and Senior Specialist of the Department of NGOs at the Ministry of Home Affairs; along with representatives from the People's Aid Coordination Committee (PACCOM).

To begin the training session, Mr. Pham Quang Tu, Deputy National Director of Oxfam in Vietnam, highlighted the importance of acquiring knowledge and enhancing capabilities in project management in general, and financial management in particular. This is the reason why project management training is always at the forefront of the series of capability-enhancing training sessions for units in each funding round. 

After 2 days of training, the 4th grant recipients had a space to share and discuss ways to improve their knowledge and skills in project management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practices. They also learned about protection policies (Safeguarding) and received updates on communication regulations. Participating in this training session also helps project staff at the units to have the opportunity to exchange and learn from each other. 

Giving a speech at the training session, Mr. Dao Quy Loc provided a detailed presentation about the principles, implementation mechanism, monitoring, and reporting of project implementation, along with regulations on cooperation management based on international law. Thereby, he affirmed the importance of properly and sufficiently implementing and complying with the rules and regulations of the law of Vietnam, the sponsors, and the project. Additionally, Mr. Loc also emphasized the role and responsibilities for technical and administrative support of the JIFF Secretariat in monitoring, supervising, and supporting project implementation units to ensure progress and the results achieved in the 4 outcomes of the project.

The discussion process in the training session took place actively, and initiatives on project management and supervision in small and short-term projects were also discussed enthusiastically by the participants. Ms. Le Thi Sam from CEGORN talked about how the unit sent staff from different projects in the unit to cross-supervise other projects. This approach not only reduces personnel costs but also helps staff learn from each other. Ms. Pham Thi Thao - Oxfam's financial officer, also presented and supported practical exercises on financial management.

According to lawyer Trinh Van Chien - Director of the Center for Legal and Policy Consulting on Health and HIV/AIDS, shared: "Up until now, I often thought that when doing projects, I only implemented the right activities as described. The design is complete, but I have not thought about coordinating with programs and activities of local agencies. This way will help the parties share and learn from each other more, and use human and financial resources more effectively.”

 Mr. Pham Mau Tai - Director of RDPR shared: “I see the point of creating a safe environment and favorable conditions for disadvantaged groups to participate in the project and strengthening cooperation with agencies. The local government in the project implementation process is very good. This is a new thing I learned.”

 Dr. Dao Gia Phuc from the University of Economics and Law (UEL) had a couple of comments: “It is very important to understand the context of the project, as it relates to the intervention activities behind the scenes. To understand the context, we need to visit the site. This is our experience when designing projects, information and data can give a very different picture from reality. For example, the design of a phone app to support legal information for people, but there are areas where there is no signal, there are places where visitors use Android phones while local officials or legal consultants use iOS, etc." 

The JIFF Secretariat will continue to accompany and support the units to equip knowledge and improve the capacity of the grantees in various fields such as research, communication, gender equality, etc., through the next training sessions so that the initiatives and projects can achieve optimal effectiveness and success.

17 Judiciary initiative received the 4th grant of JIFF under the theme "Enhancing access to law and justice for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, especially women, children, ethnic minorities, and poor people”, is expected to assist more than 78,000 people in better understanding the law and justice.

The Justice Initiative Facilitation Fund (EU JULE JIFF), managed by Oxfam in Vietnam, is one of two components of the project “Strengthening the Law and Justice in Vietnam” (EU JULE) sponsored by the European Union. The project aims to contribute to strengthening the rule of law in Vietnam through an accessible and reliable justice system. Initiatives funded by JIFF have been implemented in 6 provinces: Hanoi, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, and Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh and Dong Thap.