Crown Agents collected the Development Project of the Year Award at the 2011 British Expertise International Awards this week for a project that has helped to revitalise Zimbabwe's health system.
We were also 'highly commended' in the Young Consultant of the Year category and shortlisted for a second Development Project of the Year entry.
Crown Agents joined more than 150 guests from the international development community and including HRH Duke of Gloucester at the annual awards ceremony on the 9th November at the Institute of Directors in Central London.
Judges commended Crown Agents' Zimbabwe Health Worker Retention Scheme for "winning in a strong field and providing a practical development solution in a very difficult environment".
In partnership with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health & Child Welfare, DFID and other stakeholders, Crown Agents implemented an innovative health worker payment retention scheme in 2008 to help tackle increasing economic instability, a crumbling health system, widespread health worker absenteeism and a cholera epidemic.
Results were outstanding and immediate with a 20-30% jump in staff attendance, which today has reached almost 100%. Donors have to date paid 18,000 workers US$70 million, resulting in the retention of more than 90% of workers.
Dave Fish, head of DFID Zimbabwe, said: "DFID congratulate Crown Agents on this fantastic achievement. We are extremely pleased to be associated with this scheme, which has played such a pivotal role in preventing the health sector in Zimbabwe from collapse. The achievements of the scheme speak for themselves: vacancy rates have fallen for all cadres since 2008."
Crown Agents' human 
and institutional development advisor, Tristan Burton, was 'highly commended' in the Young Consultant category for spearheading an innovative training programme that has helped to build the capacity of civil society organisations and for leading Crown Agents' efforts on the Global Fund project to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
We were also shortlisted for our work in Haїti, supporting key ministries as they rebuild their institutions and infrastructure following the earthquake that devastated the country in January 2010.
For the full list of awards results visit the British Expertise website.