Practical Toolkit for Administrative Development Officers
1Summary
Plenty of organisations form development committees, hold workshops, and write improvement plans – yet nothing on the ground actually changes. The missing piece is usually a development officer equipped with the right diagnostic tools and a structured method, not just good intentions. This programme from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy is built exactly for that role: it provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to improve administrative systems, procedures, and organisational performance.
The programme covers the core areas administrative development officers need to assess an organisation's real condition, identify genuine improvement opportunities, and redesign structures and procedures to match institutional objectives. It also addresses performance management, workforce planning, competency development, change management, and the impact of digital transformation on administrative processes – giving participants a structured method for prioritising, implementing, and following up on development initiatives that actually stick.
2Objectives and target group
Who Should Attend?
- Administrative and organisational development officers and managers in government and private-sector organisations.
- Professionals in human resources, institutional planning, quality, and organisational excellence.
- Department and unit heads responsible for developing procedures and improving performance.
- Managers and supervisors seeking to strengthen their skills in organisational development and change management.
Course Objectives
- Understand administrative development concepts and the practical role of the development officer.
- Analyse organisational structures, procedures, and policies to identify genuine improvement opportunities.
- Design performance indicators and use performance management methods to measure real results.
- Build change management skills and link workforce development to actual organisational needs.
- Establish an integrated approach to planning, implementing, and following up on development initiatives.
3Course Content
Module 1: The Administrative Development Officer as a Change Agent
- Understanding administrative development and its importance in improving organisational efficiency.
- The responsibilities of development officers within the organisational structure.
- The relationship between administrative development, strategic planning, and performance improvement.
Module 2: Diagnosing the Organisation — Structure, Environment, and Procedures
- Analysing the internal environment and identifying administrative strengths and weaknesses.
- Reviewing organisational structure design, communication channels, and responsibilities.
- Analysing procedures to identify complexity and duplication, then simplifying and redesigning workflows.
Module 3: Performance Indicators and the Human Side of Development
- Institutional and individual performance management and its link to objectives.
- Designing key performance indicators and using results to identify improvement opportunities.
- Planning workforce requirements and identifying competencies needed to support career development.
Module 4: Leading Change and Improving Processes
- Understanding organisational change, its stages, and the factors affecting its success.
- Handling resistance to change and strengthening acceptance of development initiatives.
- Identifying bottlenecks and linking process improvement with quality and organisational excellence.
Module 5: Digital Tools for Modern Administration
- The impact of digital technologies on administrative processes and procedures.
- Using administrative systems and data to support monitoring and decision-making.
- Developing a digital workplace and improving the employee and stakeholder experience.
Module 6: From Planning to Governance — Making Development Stick
- Identifying development priorities and preparing implementation plans with clear responsibilities and timelines.
- Monitoring initiatives, measuring results, and addressing implementation barriers.
- Applying governance principles and building mechanisms for continuous review and sustainable improvement.