DOMINICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Long- and short-term USAID-funded technical consultants will assist DDF in implementing the project. A rural credit advisor will assist DDF in the following areas: (1) structuring a new credit department; (2) advising members on the use of credit statistics and designing and implementing controls to facilitate management decisions and program evaluations; (3) formulating administrative systems and procedures relative to credit programs; (4) reviewing procedures and controls for loans from the DDF to farmer groups; (5) designing systems, procedures and controls between the SFA"s and their members; (6) designing credit applications and reports that will provide information for analyzing and evaluating loans or projects; (7) developing standards for loan analysis; (8) simplifying and accelerating the lending process and improving the supervisory controls; (9) designing a system of management controls; (10) establishing annual credit targets for approvals, disbursements, collections, and special activities; (11) setting up an institutionalized system of coordination with the Department of Agriculture for technical assistance to DDF borrowers; (12) and planning and implementing in-service training programs. In addition, a financial advisor will assist DDF in designing a system of financial controls and designing and implementing a system of economic and financial planning and evaluation with annual reviews. Artisan advisors will review and evaluate the economic and social viability of the present artisan groups involved with the DDF and make recommendations concerning the program"s future. Finally, organizational assistance will be given to assist SFA"s and their juntas in: (1) evaluating their organization and strategy in relation to DDF objectives; (2) developing statutes and standards for them; (3) formulating guidelines for assessing their viability; and (4) developing training plans for members.