Factors Influencing the Performance of Projects in Ngos Funded by Wfp in Kenya: a Case of Action Against Hunger

Abstract

Despite their crucial role in development and poverty alleviation, most non-governmental organizations have been recording poor performance in their projects in terms of completing projects on time, within the allocated budget and in terms of achieving the set objectives. This study sought to investigate the factors influencing the performance of projects under NGO’s funded by World Food Programme in Kenya. The study sought to assess the influence of human resource factors, organizational culture, organizational leadership and resources allocation on the performance of projects in non-governmental organizations funded by World Food Programme in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the target population was all the 134 staff working in the four food relief programmes in Action Against Hunger, Kenya. Slovin's Formula was used in the determination of the sample size while stratified random sampling technique was used in the selection of 100 staff from the target population. Both secondary and primary data were used in this study. Secondary data was acquired from non-governmental organizations’ reports for the last five years. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of qualitative data and the qualitative results were presented in a prose form. On the other hand, inferential and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of quantitative data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics encompassed mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. Results from both descriptive and inferential statistics were presented using tables. In the determination of the influence of organizational factors on project performance, the study made use of correlation analysis. The study found that human resource factors have no significant influence on the performance of projects. On the other hand, the study revealed that organizational culture, has a negative influence on the performance of projects in Action Against Hunger. However, organizational leadership and resource allocation have a positive and significant influence on the performance of projects in Action Against Hunger. Following the results of data collected and its analysis, the study recommends that the organization should make sure that human resource policies are implemented and followed to ensure projects performance. Therefore, Action Against Hunger should revise employees’ remuneration to ensure that they match with their responsibilities. The management of the Action Against Hunger should also develop coaching and mentoring programs as a way of ensuring professionalism and enhancing the skills and competence of the staff. Further, the organization should develop resource allocation policies as a guide in the management and allocation of the limited human and financial resources.