Restructuring

The NDC has already commenced a programme of restructuring to support the implementation of Dairy for Life. This has been undertaken by way of assessment of the current internal staffing, resources and capability within the organisation and has led to some fundamental changes.

Staff numbers have been reduced through the successful implementation of a voluntary redundancy programme. This has had two effects. Firstly, the reduction in numbers has ultimately led to a number of posts becoming redundant and will facilitate the appointment of new skills to the organisation. Secondly, the programme has allowed for a review of internal functions and the outsourcing of a number of these functions is currently being dealt with.

Right-sizing the organisation together with achieving the required set of core competencies is the first step in re-building the NDC. Once this has been achieved, the organisation can move forward with confidence to deliver the strategy effectively.

Secondly, the NDC must ensure that the correct HR policies and practices are in place and are appropriate to the nature and scale of the organisation. The NDC is now a member of IBEC as of January 2008 and is currently working to ensure that this is the case.

To support the delivery of the programmes, the organisation must also deploy an appropriate IT and communications system and infrastructure. Again, the current internal systems have been reviewed and are in the process of being updated.

The overall aim of this phase of the work programme is to ensure that the NDC is competent in terms of its staffing and capability, has the correct support systems in place to make it as efficient as possible and to look at the most effective ways of undertaking its business.

Accountability and Corporate Governance Programme

The integrity and accountability of the NDC to its funders is critical to the future development of the organisation. A key step in this respect is to install a proper system of budgeting, financial accounting and reporting and also to include annual reporting to stakeholders and funders.

To support this process, the NDC will create the appropriate corporate governance structures, policies and procedures to improve the overall standards of accountability. This will entail covering the roles and responsibilities of the Board and providing a clear mandate for the organisation to follow in terms of the controls and reporting mechanisms required.

Given the diversity and scale of the work programmes set out, the Board intends to establish a number of sub-committees as a means of leveraging the significant expertise within the Board and to support the delivery of the programmes in an efficient. Where appropriate, external experts will be invited to be members of these sub-committees.

While being different from the development programmes, the NDC's Accountability and Corporate Governance Programme is viewed as a priority within the strategy in rebuilding and maintaining confidence in the work of the organisation. In this respect, this programme is already well underway in order that the necessary groundwork is laid for the initial implementation of the work programmes.

The Members Area will provide a forum for regular updates with regard to our success in this area.