The Capacity Project, in partnership with WHO, completed the first phase of a pilot program for HR management (HRM) professional development in Kenya. The program is intended to develop and support a critical mass of human resources for health (HRH) leaders to build and advocate for effective strategies and HRM systems.

Structured around the six action fields of the HRH Action Framework, the program is largely based on the Project’s experiences, tools and products. Thirty HRM stakeholders attended the initial workshop on January 26-30 and represented various ministries, medical councils, medical schools, faith-based organizations, NGOs and associations.

There will be two more short workshops over six months, with face-to-face and virtual support and coaching between workshops. Participants will take part in a series of activities between phase one and two, including a key stakeholder leadership meeting to make final refinements to Kenya’s HRH Strategic Plan. Overall, this work is aimed at strengthening HRM systems through expanding the professional quality of HRM leaders and institutional mechanisms. Ultimately, the Kenya pilot and its lessons will help inform our efforts to design an HRM Professional Development program that can be used in all countries to increase the number of professional HRH leaders.

February 2009