USAID Iraq Administrative Reform Project Monthly Progress Report, May 2014

The project, implemented by Management Systems International, focuses on enhancing the organizational development and performance of government entities. Key areas of intervention include regulatory reform, administrative decentralization, and project management reform. Regulatory reform is a critical component of the project, with a focus on improving the organizational development and performance of government entities. The project has made significant progress in this area, with the establishment of the Iraqi Center for Excellence in Government at the Council of Ministers Secretariat (COMSEC). The Center provides technical assistance to government bodies to improve their management and organizational performance, and to promote and award creativity and leadership in service delivery. Administrative decentralization is another key area of focus for the project. The project has supported the decentralization of food rations distribution in Iraq, with a focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the public food distribution system. The project has trained 10 governorates to date on relevant procurement subjects, and will continue to assist governorate offices in the development of qualified procurement offices capable of managing an efficient rationing system. The project has also made significant progress in project management reform, with a focus on improving the organizational development and performance of government entities. The project has supported the establishment of the First Ministerial Department of Public Policy in Iraq, which is the first of its kind among all 32 Iraqi ministries. The department has four divisions, including administration and finance, communications and outreach, policy development and implementation, and research. In addition to these key areas of focus, the project has also engaged in a variety of activities in May, including workshops, formal meetings, and implementation workshops. The project teams held 145 events during May, with 79 events held in Baghdad and 66 events delivered on location in 16 provinces. The events were held with a range of institutions, including 26 ministries, governors' offices, executive offices, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. Overall, the USAID Iraq Administrative Reform Project has made significant progress in improving the administrative capacity of the Government of Iraq. The project's focus on regulatory reform, administrative decentralization, and project management reform has helped to enhance the organizational development and performance of government entities, and has supported the establishment of key institutions and initiatives.