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. Local offices in Honduras and Guatemala hired additional staff, including administrative and HR coordinators, finance and grants officers, and technical education specialists. Local consultants were hired to assist with the LMA in each country, and a program officer was hired to support operations in the field. 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, including orientation, training on FHI 360's GFAS system, and financial system training. The finance team participated in training on the financial system that will be used throughout the RWDP. The Program made significant advances with its crosscutting assessments, continuing to implement the labor market assessment (LMA) in Honduras and launching 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. The Program will hire an international consultant to conduct and complete the ILA in Honduras and Guatemala. The consultant will work closely with the local teams in each country and will make several trips to the region to collect data. The Program will also pilot institution selection, book donation, and online course initiative, and will engage with Georgetown University in Result 2 of the Program. 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 (LMA) in Honduras and Guatemala, and will design the institutional landscaping analysis (ILA) in both countries.