Quarterly Report 2: Regional Workforce Development Program

The program focused its efforts in Honduras and Guatemala, with the goal of promoting workforce development and economic growth in the region. Key personnel were hired, including Antonieta Harwood as the Honduras Country Program Director and Ana de Molina as the Guatemala Country Program Director. Juan Carlos Rodriguez was appointed as the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Manager. The program's core team, consisting of Alejandro Paredes, Antonieta Harwood, Ana de Molina, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, developed job descriptions for local positions in Honduras and Guatemala. The Honduras office began recruiting for administrative and human resources (HR) coordinator, finance and grants officer, and technical education specialist positions. The Guatemala office initiated the recruitment process for the administrative and HR coordinator position. Draft job descriptions were also developed for two other local positions in all three countries: community outreach and communications specialist and private sector engagement specialist. The program's core team traveled to Washington, DC, between January 18-29, 2016, to participate in program kick-off activities. They attended orientation meetings with technical and operations teams at FHI 360, technical meetings with USAID/LAC to discuss the scope and objectives of the program, and video-teleconferences with the USAID missions in Honduras, Guatemala, and Jamaica to introduce the program. FHI 360 already has operations in Honduras and Guatemala, and the program is committed to building on the existing operations of these FHI 360 projects to promote efficiency of resources. The program established country offices and local operations in Honduras and Guatemala. FHI 360 is registered in both countries and is in the process of finalizing its organizational registration and operations permits in Jamaica. The program adapted FHI 360 local operations manuals available in Honduras and Guatemala and is in the process of finalizing procedures and systems for finance, procurement, accounting, banking, and HR in both countries. The program made progress in establishing office space in Honduras and Guatemala, providing a secure setting and convenient location in accordance with USAID/mission standards for each country. The program developed and submitted first drafts of the Initial Annual Work Plan (AWP), the Life of Agreement Strategic Plan, and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan to USAID/LAC on March 8, 2016. The program solicited input from partner organizations, local stakeholders, and FHI 360 technical experts in the design of these plans. USAID/LAC provided feedback on the AWP at the end of the quarter, and the program team began developing a second draft of the AWP based on the feedback received. The program developed a project summary and released it in February 2016 to announce the launch of LAC RWDP. The program initiated contact with USAID missions, local stakeholders, and partner organizations in Honduras. The program held its first official meeting with the USAID/Honduras mission's point of contact, Ana Rubí, on March 3, 2016. The program team explained RWDP's key objectives, activities, and expected results to Ana Rubí and other stakeholders.