AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report

Rodas, Financial and Human Resources Manager, to the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) offices in Cambridge, MA, and Arlington, VA, from January 23 to January 30, 2010. The purpose of the trip was to attend MSH orientation sessions and receive training on MSH policies and procedures to support the performance of the AIDSTAR-Two Guatemala project activities. During the trip, Rodas met with key contacts and supporting staff for the AIDSTAR-Two Guatemala project, including Sarah Johnson, Kimberly Hirsch, Peter Mahoney, and Susan Brinkert. The meetings focused on updating project achievements and pending support from the home office, training on human resources information, guidelines, policies, and processes, and training on contracts and grants procedures. Rodas also attended several orientation sessions, including a welcome breakfast, a Honduras meeting, a human resources session, a contract and procurement session, and a PPRD process session. The sessions were led by various MSH staff members, including Kimberly Hirsch, Peter Mahoney, Marcia Herrera, and Liz McLean. On January 28-29, 2010, Rodas attended the AIDSTAR-Two Project Specific Orientation in Arlington, VA. The orientation sessions were led by Becky Bennet, Sarah Johnson, and Adam Mbundure, and covered topics such as the AIDSTAR-Two financial system, financial processes for field programs, reports and pipelines, communications and knowledge management, and social mobilization. The trip report highlights several key accomplishments, including the completion of a revised version of the project budget to support the participation of 4 members of the staff and 4 members of the communities in CONCASIDA, Costa Rica, in March 2010. The report also notes that the AIDSTAR-Two Guatemala project staff received training on MSH policies and procedures, and that the project is making progress in its objectives and activities. The report identifies several next steps, including logistic activities and funding for CONCASIDA participation, and ongoing project activities in accordance with MSH policies and procedures. The report also lists several key contacts and their contact information, including Sarah Johnson, Kimberly Hirsch, Peter Mahoney, and Susan Brinkert. The AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report provides valuable information on the trip's objectives, accomplishments, and next steps, and highlights the importance of MSH policies and procedures in supporting the performance of the AIDSTAR-Two Guatemala project activities.