Today’s complex societal challenges, spanning refugee crises, poor education outcomes, and climate change, cannot be tackled by governments alone. At times of turbulence and uncertainty, how can public officials effectively collaborate with external partner organisations, in both private and non-for-profit sectors, to unlock efficient and successful programmes? 

Leading Cross-Sector Partnerships is an interactive, three-day programme designed to enable public leaders to adopt a more strategic approach to contract management and deliver more impactful partnerships. Blending theory with practice, this programme explores the fundamentals of cross-sector partnerships, highlighting innovative case studies that embed impact measurement and relational practice to achieve meaningful social change. Participants will develop frameworks and practical tools - including template clauses - to move partnerships towards success and drive positive impact.  

Developed by experts from Oxford University, the course is a response to the frustrations reported by practitioners in government towards short-term and transactional approaches in managing complex, multistakeholder partnerships. The course provides strategies to facilitate more relational partnership models. It equips participants to tackle today’s complex challenges, with an emphasis on building coalitions for impactful partnerships, while navigating potential organisational obstructions related to procurement, audit, and risk management.  

The programme fosters a systems-strengthening approach and learning culture within impact-focused partnerships, addressing long-term implications and learning agendas.