HECD Semi-Annual Report: July 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019

(EDC) implementing the program on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program's start-up Chief of Party, Kevin Corbin, arrived in Beirut on July 2 and held an introductory meeting with USAID's Agreement Officer Representative, Ahmad Al Amine, on July 11, 2019. This meeting provided valuable guidance on how the HECD project fits within the Mission's strategy to support the Government of Lebanon. During the start-up phase, EDC focused on setting up the operational aspects of the program, including financial and administrative management systems. The HECD start-up benefited from EDC's existing bank account in Lebanon, which was established in 2011. Kevin Corbin and Bill Potter were added as signatories to the bank account by mid-July, and the petty cash fund and other financial management systems were set up by July 12. A first budget pipeline analysis was submitted to USAID on July 18, 2019, covering the period FY19 (July to September) on a monthly basis as well as quarterly estimates for FY20. EDC also established a policies and procedures manual for the HECD office, which is based on EDC's universal policies and procedures manual used across all international programs. A supplemental country-specific manual was developed to add country-specific policies and procedures informed by Lebanon's labor laws and the local operating context. The manual is in place to ensure that the HECD office operates in accordance with EDC's policies and procedures, as well as local laws and regulations. The HECD program's staffing process was also underway during the start-up phase. EDC engaged key personnel, including the Chief of Party and project director, and began recruiting local staff. The program's organizational chart was developed, and a policies and procedures manual was established to guide the program's operations. EDC provided regular updates to the USAID AOR on accomplishments and lessons learned during the start-up phase. These updates were transmitted by EDC's COP or by regular phone calls and face-to-face check-ins between the COP and the AOR. The frequency and quality of the updates and check-ins were particularly important during the activity start-up phase to share EDC's progress, as well as any challenges, and ensure feedback and guidance from USAID. The HECD program's main deliverables during the start-up phase included the development of a start-up work plan, a draft monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan, a HECD program overview flyer, and a higher education survey. These deliverables were developed in accordance with the program's start-up plan, which was submitted to USAID on July 30, 2019. Preparations for the FY20 Annual Work Plan were also underway during the start-up phase. EDC organized a year 1 annual planning workshop to develop the program's annual work plan, which was to be submitted to USAID at the end of October 2019. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss the program's goals, objectives, and activities for the upcoming year. Overall, the HECD program's start-up phase was marked by significant progress in setting up the program's operational aspects, including financial and administrative management systems, staffing, and main deliverables. The program's organizational chart was developed, and a policies and procedures manual was established to guide the program's operations. EDC provided regular updates to the USAID AOR on accomplishments and lessons learned during the start-up phase, and preparations were underway for the FY20 Annual Work Plan.