IAF Facilitator Core Competencies

A1. Develop working partnerships

• Clarify mutual commitment
• Develop consensus on tasks, deliverables, roles & responsibilities
• Demonstrate collaborative values and processes such as in co-facilitation

A2. Design and customize applications to meet client needs

• Analyse organisational environment
• Diagnose client need
• Create appropriate designs to achieve intended outcomes
• Predefine a quality product & outcomes with client

A3. Manage multi-session events effectively

• Contract with client for scope and deliverables
• Develop event plan
• Deliver event successfully
• Assess or evaluate client satisfaction at all stages of the event or project

B1. Select clear methods and processes that:

• Foster open participation with respect for client culture, norms and participant diversity
• Engage the participation of those with varied learning or thinking styles

Achieve a high quality product or outcome that meets the client needs

B2. Prepare time and space to support group process

• Arrange physical space to support the purpose of the meeting
• Plan effective use of time
• Provide effective atmosphere and drama for sessions

C1. Demonstrate effective participatory and interpersonal communication skills

• Apply a variety of participatory processes
• Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills
• Develop rapport with participants
• Practice active listening
• Demonstrate ability to observe and provide feedback to participants

C2. Honour and recognise diversity, ensuring inclusiveness

• Encourage positive regard for the experience and perception of all participants
• Create a climate of safety and trust
• Create opportunities for participants to benefit from the diversity of the group
• Cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity

C3. Manage group conflict

• Help individuals identify and review underlying assumptions
• Recognise conflict and its role within group learning / maturity
• Provide a safe environment for conflict to surface
• Manage disruptive group behaviour
• Support the group through resolution of conflict

C4. Evoke group creativity

• Draw out participants of all learning/thinking styles
• Encourage creative thinking
• Accept all ideas
• Use approaches that best fit needs and abilities of the group
• Stimulate and tap group energy

D1. Guide the group with clear methods and processes

• Establish clear context for the session
• Actively listen, question and summarise to elicit the sense of the group
• Recognise tangents and redirect to the task
• Manage small and large group process

D2. Facilitate group self-awareness about its task

• Vary the pace of activities according to needs of group
• Identify information the group needs, and draw out data and insight from the group
• Help the group synthesise patterns, trends, root causes, frameworks for action
• Assist the group in reflection on its experience

D3. Guide the group to consensus and desired outcomes

• Use a variety of approaches to achieve group consensus
• Use a variety of approaches to meet group objectives
• Adapt processes to changing situations and needs of the group
• Assess and communicate group progress
  Foster task completion

E1. Maintain a base of knowledge

• Be knowledgeable in management, organisational systems and development, group development, psychology, and conflict resolution
• Understand dynamics of change
• Understand learning/ thinking theory

E2. Know a range of facilitation methods

• Understand problem solving and decision-making models
• Understand a variety of group methods and techniques
• Know consequences of misuse of group methods
• Distinguish process from task and content
• Learn new processes, methods, & models in support of client’s changing/emerging needs

E3. Maintain professional standing

• Engage in ongoing study / learning related to our field
• Continuously gain awareness of new information in our profession
• Practice reflection and learning
• Build personal industry knowledge and networks
• Maintain certification

F1. Practice self-assessment and self-awareness

• Reflect on behaviour and results
• Maintain congruence between actions and personal and professional values
• Modify personal behaviour / style to reflect the needs of the group
• Cultivate understanding of one’s own values and their potential impact on work with clients

F2. Act with integrity

• Demonstrate a belief in the group and its possibilities
• Approach situations with authenticity and a positive attitude
• Describe situations as facilitator sees them and inquire into different views
• Model professional boundaries and ethics (as described in the IAF’s Statement of Values and Code of Ethics)

F3. Trust group potential and model neutrality

• Honour the wisdom of the group
• Encourage trust in the capacity and experience of others
• Vigilant to minimise influence on group outcomes
• Maintain an objective, non-defensive, non-judgmental stance