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Case Study 04
A large NGO, with specific experience in designing and implementing agricultural programs in third world countries, was invited to submit a proposal for an agricultural-based alternative livelihood program in a hostile environment. Given the importance of the program and the potential exposure to the NGO, the NGO decided that it would like to pursue the project.
After approaching SAM, the NGO's proposal team met with our experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities, experience, strengths and weaknesses of the NGO itself. This gave SAM the necessary background needed to examine more specific points regarding the client's ability to successfully accomplish the project.
More specifically, this knowledge allowed SAM to determine potential focus points when researching the target market on behalf of the client. SAM undertook a series of Strategic Research and Analysis (SRA) probes into the market itself, including:
- Market Intelligence (the regulatory environment, bureaucracy, labor pool, subcontractors, supplies, logistics, life support, etc.)
- Geopolitical Analysis - Strategic Forecasting (the impact that the program will have on both regional and cross-border affairs, including: political, social, economic and law enforcement systems, etc.)
- Socio-Political Analysis (corruption, bureaucracy, cultural protocols, etc.)
- Threat Analysis (terrorism, extremism, organized crime, hooliganism, climate, natural and environmental factors, etc.)
- Adversary Group Profiling (competitors, spheres of influence, insider combatants, etc.
Once SAM completed its Strategic Research and Analysis, the findings were translated into relevant intelligence that the client could directly factor into its own strategic thought process and decide whether they were still interested and capable of performing against the requirements of the project.
Having determined that they wanted to proceed with the project, SAM was subsequently asked to perform a Threat and Vulnerability Assessment (TVA).
The TVA included an identification of any potential threats to the NGO staff working in the target market and a review of the NGO's vulnerabilities. These findings were measured against the findings of a more detailed Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Analysis, resulting in a thorough list of recommended countermeasures that the client was able to put in place to help it mitigate the probable risks associated with the project.
The countermeasures included:
- An assessment of established security policies
- Security enhancements built into the program
- Awareness training
- Continuity and contingency planning
- Physical security measures
Based on the specific knowledge gained by the SRA and the TVA - and given SAM's pre-existing Strategic Alliances in the particular market - SAM was also able to recommend to the client various experienced local providers and subcontractors that were able to assist with logistics, life support, transport and security. SAM was also able to provide local facilitators who could help the client liaise with other local providers, bureaucratic structures and government bodies.
Once the NGO was established on the ground and began to implement the program according to their plan, SAM was invited to serve as an independent monitor to observe and confirm the use of assets and resources as well as to research and evaluate the impact of the program on the relevant local target audience.
Throughout the life of the project SAM thus conducted regular evaluations of whether or not the program was meeting its stated objectives and how the program was affecting the overall environment.
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