Capacity Building Assessment of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea

Background

NCA has had a long association with the Evangelical Church of Eritrea. The church has battled with many problems in the area of capacity status and asked NCA to assess the present status of the church in this area, as part of an ongoing program to increase the capacity of the church.

Purpose/objective

To assess the capacity of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea and to make suitable recommendations as to areas of potential need for improvement.

Methodology

The methodology was one of key interviews with various members of the staff of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea.

Key findings

It was found that the church has a weak administrative structure, highly centralized in nature with little delegation of authority. This makes decision
making a cumbersome process.

Staff are lacking in skills with regards to English, computers, finances etc.
There is very little interdepartmental communication. Computers are available but are often in the wrong place where the majority of staff do not have access.

The church is in a somewhat transitional phase with plans to amalgamate with the
Lutheran church of Eritrea. It is hoped that this may increase the competence, but it is a sensitive process.

Recommendations

A full review of the entire structure should be conducted in depth by an outside
consultant in 2005 (done by Church of Sweden).
Office Manager should be employed to alleviate many of the administrative needs
within the church.
Interdepartmental meetings should be held.
Staff is to be trained in English, computers etc.
Computers are to be re-allocated to increase availability.
Departmental capacity programs to be prepared by each department.
Salaries need to be reviewed and increased in many areas if competent personnel
are to be employed.

Comments from the organisation

The competency level of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea remains low. The study
done by the NCA consultant was reinforced by a detailed study done in 2005 by the Church of Sweden. Recommendations have been made in detail and it is hoped that, with the union with the Lutheran church of Eritrea in early 2006, there will be a strong move to address the need for increased capacity within the church. NCA has remained in relationship with the Evangelical church of Eritrea but has emphasised the need to ensure that recommendations regarding capacity are enacted and not left as recommendations.