Rapid Mobilization Start-Up Plan

(IBTCI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in West Africa. The plan outlines the plan for rapid mobilization and start-up of the PELA project, which aims to promote peace through evaluation, learning, and adaptation in West Africa. The plan was developed in response to the award of the contract to IBTCI on January 31, 2018. Following the notification of award, IBTCI conducted a "Kick-Off" call with the USAID Mission on February 12, 2018. The call was attended by IBTCI's CFO, Contracts Director, PELA Project Director (PD), and select support staff. IBTCI's Home Office (HO) collaborated with the Security and Start-Up team to complete the following tasks during the first week: identifying fully furnished office space at the Octagon Building in Accra for immediate use, identifying a long-term office space for the PELA team and the OTI/Dex team members, onboarding local non-key personnel, including the PELA Finance and Administration (F&A) Director, Dr. Kofi Gyam, and setting up financial and administrative systems and security protocols. However, due to the unexpected drop-out of key personnel, including the Research Director (RD) and Communications Advisor (CA), IBTCI was forced to postpone mobilization and rapid start-up from February 26, 2018, to March 14, 2018. During the suspension phase, IBTCI actively recruited replacements for both RD and CA. On March 14, 2018, IBTCI received approval from the Contracting Officer (CO) for the replacement Research Director, Kris Inman, and was given approval to continue incurring costs under the contract. IBTCI immediately began onboarding the RD replacement and re-initiating the rapid start-up plan. The plan outlines the plan for the first three months of start-up, including the mobilization of key personnel, start-up team, and local staff, as well as the setup of financial and administrative systems and security protocols. The plan also outlines the expected accomplishments and expected progress towards achieving planned results, including the submission of the Semi-Annual Work Plan, the development of the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan, and the facilitation of implementing partner Annual Pause and Workshops. The plan also outlines the personnel requirements to achieve expected outcomes, including the recruitment of STTA personnel, the procurement of commodities and equipment, and collaboration with other major partners and stakeholders. The plan is expected to be implemented by IBTCI's Home Office, supervised by the PELA Project Director, and supported by the PELA F&A Director, Research Director, and Communications Advisor, as well as IBTCI's HR department, HR department, and finance and accounting department. The plan is expected to be completed by May 25, 2018, and will be reviewed and updated as necessary. The plan is expected to be implemented in collaboration with the USAID Mission, implementing partners, and other stakeholders in West Africa.