Fourth Quarter FFY 2015 Progress and Financial Report / Transition Initiatives for Stabilization Plus (TIS+) Program

The program was awarded to AECOM International Development on May 20, 2015, and its primary objectives include supporting local level planning and implementation of development plan activities, as well as promoting stability and security in Somalia. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2015, the TIS+ Program made significant progress in achieving its objectives. One of the key milestones achieved during this period was the submission of contractual deliverables, including the TIS+ Work Plan, PIKA Manual, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, Gender Action Plan, Process of Engagement, Coordination Plan, and Environmental Compliance Report. These deliverables provide a framework for the program's activities and ensure that they are aligned with USAID's priorities and objectives. The TIS+ Work Plan outlines the program's approaches and timelines for conducting activities across its objectives and locations. The plan includes Level of Effort (LOE) estimates for each objective and office, and identifies early activities such as stability assessments prior to beginning work in new TIS+ regions. The program will begin Objective 1 work in ISWA and IJA states, and Objective 2 work in Hargeisa and the Banadir Regional Administration. The PIKA Manual details the structure, technical terms of reference, and policies, procedures, and protocols for managing the Pool of In-kind Activities (PIKA). The manual will serve as the basis for PIKA activity development and fund use, and will be used to train relevant TIS+ staff in PIKA management. The TIS+ Gender Equity and Women's Empowerment Plan provides a framework and guidelines for integrating gender equity and women's empowerment focus into all TIS+ activities. The plan was produced by the AECOM Gender Advisor and the AECOM Gender Consultant, under the direction of TIS+ project leadership, and will be used to train TIS+ staff and consultants in its applications to the TIS+ program. The TIS+ Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan blends contractually required indicators with customized indicators across TIS+ objectives, and outlines TIS+ strategies and timelines for data collection, analysis, and reporting. The plan was developed in consultation with TIS+ M&E partners and considers data collection strategies for Somalia. The TIS+ Coordination Plan addresses Objective 2 of the program and discusses how TIS+ will coordinate with the Somali Government, private sector, international community, diaspora, and other stakeholders in conducting Objective 2 activities. The plan details the TIS+ approach to working with these stakeholders and will be key to determining the success and sustainability of Objective 2 activities. The TIS+ Process of Engagement discusses the approach to be taken by TIS+ in engaging with a community, district, region, or state in undertaking TIS+ activities. The document discusses engagement objective by objective and across key types of programming, and is focused on inclusive, transparent, consensus-based participation in program activities by Somali participants. The TIS+ Environmental Compliance Reports will be used to ensure program environmental compliance across TIS+ activities and will be used to train staff and partners in TIS+ environmental compliance. In addition to these deliverables, the TIS+ Program also established its Nairobi office and identified offices for Mogadishu and Hargeisa, with both leases set to begin on October 1, 2015. A substantive security assessment was conducted during this period, with AECOM security staff and TIS+ staff traveling to Somalia to support Somalia-based program startup. The program's first round of activities has been planned, including stabilization assessments for IJA and ISWA. Overall, the TIS+ Program made significant progress in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2015, achieving key milestones and delivering critical program documents. The program's focus on stabilization, security, and development in Somalia is critical to promoting peace and stability in the region.