USAID/LIBERIA GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (USAID–GEMS) PROJECT QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT: OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2012 (FY13, Q1)

The project focused on developing policies, procedures, and implementation mechanisms to improve governance in areas such as financial management, human resource management, procurement, asset management, and concessions management. Key achievements during this quarter include the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Liberia Institute for Public Administration (LIPA), the National Investment Commission (NIC), the Governance Commission (GC), the Civil Service Agency (CSA), and the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC). A letter of understanding was also provided to the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) regarding support by USAID-GEMS to that institution. The MOUs, developed in line with USAID's Human & Institution Capacity Development (HICD) model, aim to establish and define the working relationship between USAID-GEMS and the respective institutions. These agreements will facilitate the implementation of technical assistance activities and support the development of capacity in key areas. In addition to the MOUs, USAID-GEMS technical advisors continued efforts to revitalize LIPA in support of its mandate for civil service training. The project also supported the use of Information Technology by Liberian counterparts to increase work efficiency and introduced e-facilitated national payment systems to support the sustainability of economic governance initiatives. The project's technical assistance activities are designed to support the development of capacity in key areas, including financial management, human resource management, procurement, asset management, and concessions management. The project's focus on these areas is aimed at improving the overall governance and economic management capacity of the GOL. The USAID-GEMS project is working closely with the GOL to implement the approved work plan and project management plan (PMP). The project's activities are aligned with the GOL's Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). The project's technical assistance activities are also aligned with the World Bank's Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms and the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). The project's progress during this quarter demonstrates its commitment to supporting the development of capacity in key areas and improving the overall governance and economic management capacity of the GOL. The project's activities will continue to focus on supporting the implementation of the approved work plan and PMP, and will work closely with the GOL to achieve its development objectives. The project's technical assistance activities are being implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the GOL, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The project's activities are also being monitored and evaluated to ensure that they are aligned with the project's objectives and are achieving the desired outcomes.