Practice,Opportunities And Challenges Of Accountablity In Ngos,Evidence From Disablity Focused Ngos In Addis Ababa

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess disability focused NGOs accountability practices, challenges and opportunities in selected NGOs in Addis Ababa. In order to conduct this study, descriptive survey study design was employed. The data was collected from 345 persons with disabilities, 6 NGO staffs and 4 government stakeholders. The data was collected using questionnaires and open-ended interview questions. The data obtained using questionnaires was edited, coded and data entry and analysis was made using spss. The data obtained through the questionnaires was analyzed using statistical method such as frequency and mean value computation and the statistical data was interpreted and discussed. The qualitative data obtained from NGO staffs; government stakeholders was thematically analyzed. Beneficiary’s participation in project identification, planning, appraisal, implementation, monitoring and evaluation was low and government stakeholders participation in the project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation was limited to supervision related activities. NGOs didn’t have clear accountability framework to effectively practice accountability and transparency. Three of the selected disability focused NGOs signed the civil society code of conduct but they didn’t endorse the code of conduct as their internal guiding policy. DPOs involved during beneficiary selection, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phase of the project, however, they were not properly representing persons with disabilities. NGOs didn’t have compliance handling strategy in place and beneficiaries were not able to claim their rights whenever complain arises. Lack of clear accountability framework / guideline, lack of disability law, the lack of appropriate technical skill and capacity to make organizations accountable and lack of appropriate funding for organizational policy related development were the main challenges that affected accountability not to effectively understood and practiced. Increased awareness of the public regarding disability, disability employment proclamation, UNCRPD proclamation, the new disability law in a pipeline, the civil society code of conduct, Minch disability information dissemination platform could be taken as opportunities to improve the accountability practice of disability focused NGOs. were the some of the main recommendations. In order to improve the accountability practices the following recommendations were provided: disability focused NGOs need to adapt a standard accountability guide and accountability guideline familiarization training need to be provided for the staff, beneficiaries and stakeholders. Disability focused NGOs need to endorse the civil society code of conduct as their internal governance policy. Disability focused NGOs need to provide training on accountability issues for DPOs. In order to include multiple and severe types of disabilities in the development endeavors, disability focused NGOs need to engage in intensive advocacy movements. Disability focused NGOs need to provide intensive training for their staffs on UNCRPD because it is one of a legal and accountability framework to protect the right and dignity of persons with disabilities. Minch telephone platform need to be known by most of persons with disabilities in order to receive and exchange information using the telephone platform.