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RESOURCES

Competencies

A competency is a group of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and behaviors necessary to successfully complete a given task required by a particular job.

Managing by Network and Collaborative Conservation: Partnerships in Practice feature knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors associated with partnership and community collaboration competencies, as defined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

We have grouped these competencies under five core competencies below. 

Download the full list of competencies featured in our training here.

These OPM definitions set the standards for Partners and Partnerships

Partner

Partner is an umbrella term that refers to individuals, organizations and other entities interacting in a relationship with an agency, or its bureaus or offices, to achieve a common goal in support of the agency’s mission.

Partnership

Partnership refers to a voluntary and mutually beneficial collaborative relationship between the agency and one or more partners, built on the contributions of each partner and formed to achieve or assist in moving toward a common goal. Partners bring resources to the relationship that allow the agency, bureau, or office to accomplish objectives that, individually, neither party could achieve. A partnership may involve one partner utilizing another’s unique abilities, or it may be sharing a resource (money, time, knowledge, equipment, etc.) to accomplish short- or long-term objectives agreed upon by all participating partners. Some partner relationships are informal; others are guided by well-defined agreements or regulations.

Partnering

Develops networks and builds alliances internally, and with external partners, communities, and customers. Collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

Effective Communication

Uses active listening and communication practices to promote mutual understanding. Attends to verbal messages and nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately to listeners and situations.
Conveys facts and shares information effectively; expresses complex and controversial concepts in plain language. 

Partner Culture Awareness

Acknowledges and respects partners’ organizational cultures, that are based upon missions, practices, people, governance, traditions, financial structure and capacity, and institutional histories. Understands own organization’s culture and authorities to work cooperatively, and shares with partners. Navigates differences in culture and practice to create a workable operating relationship.

Team Building

Assembles diverse teams that can collaborate and cooperate. Inspires and fosters team commitment, pride, and trust. Maintains high morale among team members and motivates them to achieve group goals.

Leveraging Partnerships

Leverages relationships to collaborate, build capacity, and achieve common goals. Recognizes and values partners’ unique strengths and differences, and finds ways that they can contribute to the mutual endeavor. Fosters a culture of shared stewardship that effectively allocates resources for collective impact.

Community Collaboration 

Identifies, engages, and works collaboratively with communities of place (tiered to physical space through geography), communities of identity (tied to each other through social characteristics) and communities of interest. Such collaborations mutually benefit the community while fulfilling the agency mission and fostering long-term stewardship.

Collaborative Leadership

Enables people to join together from different units or organizations to accomplish a task that none of them could accomplish individually; leads as a peer, not a superior. Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit towards mission accomplishments. Works with others to achieve goals and realize a sense of shared accomplishments and rewards.

Partner Engagement

Applies concepts, practices, and techniques to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort. Works to include those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).

Facilitation

Skillfully guides a group through a participatory process towards a common goal. Provides non-directive leadership to help others explore options, solve problems, make decisions, and achieve desired outcomes.

Conflict Management

Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions. Anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.

Strategic Thinking

Formulates objectives, sets priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization and partners in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.

Vision

Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others. Acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Influences others to translate vision into action.

External Awareness

Identifies external factors and trends that affect the work of the organization and the partnership, and shape partners’ views and pubic support. Considers political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental aspects and is aware of the organization’s impact on the external environment. 

Political Savvy

Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Navigates and influences internal organizational politics. Approaches each situation with a clear perception of organizational and political reality, and recognizes the impact of alternative courses of action.

Entrepreneurship

Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities. Builds the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives.

Agility

Shows flexibility, adaptability, and resilience to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Reflects on and learns from experiences; recovers quickly from setbacks.

Partnership Management

Knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures related to establishing, nurturing, maintaining, evaluating, sustaining, troubleshooting, and dissolving partnerships.

Consensus Building

Raises issues, seeks to understand other’s views, and works cooperatively, often through a consensus process, to develop an agreed upon resolution.

Persuasion

Presents effective arguments and evidence to influence others and obtain certain objectives and goals. Persuades others to cooperate, change behaviors, accept recommendations, or take action.

Negotiation

Works with others towards an agreement that may involve exchanging specific resources or resolving differences. Builds consensus through give and take. Negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.

Collaborative Technology

Makes effective use of technology and systems to support collaborative efforts and achieve results with internal and external parties. Leverages virtual platforms to increase team and partner engagement and accountability.

Accountability

Determines objectives, sets priorities, and clarifies roles and responsibilties within the partnership. Develops effective measures to hold self and others accountable. Monitors progress to generate measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems, rules, and authorities.

Managing Agreements

Understands the requirements, policies, practices, and procedures related to formal and informal partnership agreements. Works effectively with internal offices to identify and apply partnership authorities. Collaborates appropriately with internal and external parties to develop, review, administer, monitor, and evaluate agreements.

Financial Management

Understands the organization’s financial processes and assesses financial condition. Prepares, justifies, and/or administers the program or partnership budget, which may include pooled funding. Plans and monitors expenditures to ensure cost-effective support.

Planning and Evaluation

Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements. Identifies short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them. Coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes and partnership impact.