Quarterly Report 3: Regional Workforce Development Program

The Program hired local staff in all three countries, including the Director of Finance and Administration, and established local offices and operations. The Initial Annual Work Plan was finalized, and key introductory meetings were held with local USAID missions. On the technical side, the Program continued to implement the labor market assessment (LMA) in Honduras and launched the LMA in Guatemala. The institutional landscaping analysis (ILA) was designed in both countries. The Program also made progress with the donation of books to Honduras and engagement of Georgetown University in Result 2 of the Program. Key personnel and local staff were hired in June, including Ruth Chisholm as Jamaica Country Program Director and Eduardo Munar as Regional Director of Finance and Administration Director. Mr. Munar relocated to Honduras and initiated the process to obtain residence and work permits. Local offices in Honduras and Guatemala hired additional staff, including administrative and HR coordinators, finance and grants officers, and technical education specialists. Initial meetings were held with USAID/LAC and key FHI 360 stakeholders, including a kick-off event. Five RWDP field team members traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in onboarding and training activities. The team participated in training on FHI 360's GFAS system, the financial system used by the offices in Honduras, Guatemala, and Jamaica. The Program also made progress with crosscutting assessments, including the labor market assessment in Honduras and Guatemala. The institutional landscaping analysis was designed in both countries. The Program will hire an international consultant to conduct and complete the ILA in Honduras and Guatemala. The consultant will work closely with local teams in each country and make several trips to the region to collect data. The Program's next steps include hiring staff and establishing country offices, finalizing work plans and communications plans, and organizing a USAID/LAC visit to Jamaica. The Program will also continue to implement the labor market assessment and institutional landscaping analysis in Honduras and Guatemala.