Administrative Report
During the reporting period, administrative and procedural aspects experienced significant changes at the AMQF. These included the tasks and recommendations associated with internal audit, review of the AMQF Five-year Strategic Plan, and development of logical frameworks for the General Management and programme functions. These changes reflect on all operational aspects as well as on our evaluation and assessment of the impact, quality and effective outcomes of our work.
In the context of developing and promoting human resources, increasing attention was paid to AMQF staff training during the reporting period. Focus is now placed on orientation sessions to prepare staff to move to the AMQF new building. New staff members were employed to fill newly-introduced positions at the Public Programme. Staffing is informed by the AMQF approach to centralising support operations, such as IT and human resource management. In addition, the AMQF is following up on the latest developments of the Social Security Law and anticipated consequences of the law enforcement on both the staff members and the Foundation. The third round of scholarships granted to children of the AMQF staff members was finalised. During the reporting period, a variety of initiatives were also launched to enhance in-house communications between the AMQF staff.
Operational policies and procedures have been updated. During the reporting period, the majority of the tasks tailored to develop and upgrade IT infrastructure at the AMQF were completed. Implementation of these functions has been in place since last year. Only those tasks associated with the AMQF new building were put off.
For the last year, internal audit tasks have been finalised. The AMQF also started implementing approved recommendations of the previous Audit Report. A decision was made to extend implementation of the current Strategic Plan for one more year. Accordingly, the new Five-year Strategic Plan will be developed in 2018.
During the reporting period, the AMQF media performance saw a considerable development both qualitatively and quantitatively. We have witnessed a growing number of the AMQF audience on social media networks. A remarkable variety of publications provided extensive coverage of the AMQF activities and events. The Facebook page of AMQF was cited by the Social Media Report in Palestine as one of the most interactive and popular pages of civil society organisations in Palestine. Followers of the AMQF Facebook page rose from 16,856 early in the year to 23,113, reflecting a natural increase without any paid advertisements. AMQF followers on Twitter were 1,236, on Instagram 1,116, and on LinkIn 1,210. More publications in both English and Arabic were posted on the AMQF website. The English version of the website is now more lively and closer to the Arabic version.
Several steps were taken to manage, and develop a dedicated policy for, printing, publication and distribution. A price list of AMQF publications was compiled based on the cost of each AMQF publication. An updated bibliography of publications was developed. The AMQF also initiated a review of the contracts signed with the Al-Dar Al-Ahlia for Publishing and Distribution, Amman.
In the pursuit of more diversified and sustainable funding sources, the AMQF signed four new agreements worth US$ 4,224,419 during the reporting period. Finally, a memorandum of understanding was concluded with the Ramallah Municipality to provide the basement of the Ramallah Recreational Complex to inaugurate the Science Studio, which will be the nucleus of the Interactive Science Centre in Palestine. A project proposal of the Science Studio was also developed.
The concrete structure, including outer walls, of the AMQF new building has been finished. Electrical and mechanical installations (first fix) and partition walls on the first three floors were completed. Work is underway on the internal finishing of ceilings, false wall panels and stone flooring. All long lead items needed for finishing works were ordered. The majority of ordered items were delivered. In addition, concrete surface beds on all floors were finished. Aluminium and glass on the northern and southern facades were installed. Aluminium frames were also installed on parts of the eastern and western facades of the building.
Monitoring and evaluation processes were further upgraded. In the last quarter of this year, an external evaluation of the Science project was finalised.
In general, the reporting period featured numerous achievements in all AMQF lines of activity. Most importantly, accomplishments involved IT infrastructure development, review of the AMQF Strategic Plan, preparation of logical frameworks, follow up on the Internal Audit Report recommendations, promotion of in-house communication initiatives, and consolidation of the media and public relations role.