Quarterly Progress Report: OMEP Regional Partnership for Culture and Development (RPCD) Program

This quarterly report covers the period from September 22 through December 31, 2010. The purpose of the Program is to support the dissemination of regional research on development issues, share best practices and lessons learned from international development programs, and provide a forum for knowledge sharing and intellectual innovation. During the first quarter, start-up activities were the primary focus. AED's Start Up Team, led by Ricardo Villeta, provided services at no cost to USAID. The team identified suitable office space, obtained furniture quotes, and met with local law firms to discuss registration. Home office staff, including Dr. Christina Blumel, Mr. Nicholas Wedeman, and Mr. Jonathan Metzger, traveled to Cairo to support start-up activities. They interviewed candidates for project staff positions, met with the AOTR, and worked on setting up a bank account. AED had been working to identify potential staff members before the award. A posting on Devex prior to the award resulted in resumes for country coordinators and research analysts, as well as CoP candidates. Additional candidates were identified using AED contacts with Egyptians working in Egypt and through asking AED staff to use their networks to identify candidates. Approximately 130 resumes were received for these positions. Dr. Christina Blumel was recruited as the Home Office Program Director in October and started her employment with AED on November 8, 2010. The search for Chief of Party candidates included the review of over 80 resumes, and Dr. Khaled Fahmy accepted the position in November but withdrew his candidacy in December. The Cairo Office Staff positions were also identified during this period. Ms. Iman Choucri was hired as the Finance Manager, and Ms. Mariam Hanna was hired as the Operations and Communications Manager. AED continued to recruit for these positions, using its in-country networks for the positions of IT manager, Editor/Translator, Research Analysts, and Operations and Program Associates. Approximately 24 resumes were reviewed, and 15 interviews were completed in November and December by Nick Wedeman, Christina Blumel, and Mariam Hanna. The impact of USAID's suspension of AED on December 8, 2010, was significant. AED was poised to take several steps prior to the suspension, including executing an office lease, procuring furniture and computer equipment, establishing a working bank account, and moving forward with registration. However, the suspension halted these activities, and AED refrained from extending offers to candidates due to concerns about the impact and length of the suspension. The program continued to identify potential candidates, but no additional candidates were put forward for review given the ongoing suspension. The next quarter's projected activities include the continuation of start-up activities, including the establishment of a working bank account, the procurement of furniture and computer equipment, and the execution of an office lease. The program will also continue to identify and recruit potential staff members, including country coordinators and research analysts. The suspension of AED by USAID on December 8, 2010, has had a significant impact on the program's start-up activities, and AED is working to address these challenges and move forward with the program.