Case Study: Department for International Development achieves stronger staffing in Fragile States with Impact International

Department for International Development - Customer Case Study

The Department for International Development (DFID) asked Impact International to help solve a major staffing challenge: how to attract enough of the right people to work effectively in Fragile States such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC. DFID’s HR Strategy and Change team needed a better understanding of the barriers to filling these critical posts and improving organisational support for staff in difficult environments.

Impact International seconded two consultants to DFID for six weeks to research the issue through interviews, an organisation-wide survey, field visits, focus groups, policy review, and cross-agency research, gathering input from more than 270 people. The resulting report proposed six strategic recommendations covering incentives, targeting the right people, removing barriers, perceptions, interpersonal skills, and family support, leading to strategic action and decisions across DFID to support longer-term institutional change.

Department for International Development

Jane Clark

Head of HR Strategy and Change