USAID Mission Organizational Development Support (MODS) Monthly Operational Status Report

The project aims to foster ownership, locally led development, and implementation of sustainable development outcomes at the national, county, sub-county, and community levels. The MODS project takes a capacity building approach that applies learning cycle components, using methods such as needs assessments, institutional strengthening plans, implementation of plans, knowledge management, and reviews to inform interventions. The project focuses on improving transparency, accountability, and performance of local organizations and supporting the USAID/County Government collaborative framework development and implementation. The MODS project is comprised of four business areas: support of the Annual Program Statement (APS) process, institutional strengthening support to APS recipients, support to the Mission in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID/KEA and Prosper/Nawiri county governments for Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR), and technical assistance to existing local Kenyan entities that partner with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC). In October 2021, the USAID MODS team provided support to the USAID County Liaison Teams (CLTs) of Kisumu, Kakamega, Kiambu, Samburu, and Turkana Counties in the process of Local Development Organizations (LDO) co-creation and formation. The team held planning meetings, reviewed governance instruments, and provided guidance on next steps after the Board of Trustees (BoT) induction workshops. In Kisumu County, the BoT reviewed the Board Workplan and presented on the outcome of the induction workshop to the USAID CLT. The team finalized the Board Workplan for clarity on next steps, signed off on the Board governance documents, and developed the Kisumu County Development Trust (KCDT) strategic plan. In Kiambu County, the BoT reviewed their governance instruments and shared them with the USAID MODS Legal Consultant to finalize and sign off. The team held a meeting with the Kiambu BoT to discuss next steps after the induction workshop and clarified issues related to the Letter of Appointment and allowances for the BoT. The Kiambu BoT members met to discuss outstanding issues and opted to send a letter to the CLT outlining their concerns. The USAID MODS team submitted a response to the issues raised in the BoT letter. The USAID MODS project continues to support the development of local organizations in Kenya, focusing on capacity building, institutional strengthening, and collaborative framework development and implementation. The project aims to contribute to the goals of USAID's Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) and promote sustainable development outcomes at the national, county, sub-county, and community levels. The project's technical assistance and organizational development support have been instrumental in strengthening the capacity of local development organizations, enabling them to take ownership of development initiatives and implement sustainable programs. The MODS project's focus on improving transparency, accountability, and performance of local organizations has contributed to the achievement of development outcomes and the promotion of locally led development. The USAID MODS project's collaboration with the USAID/County Government has facilitated the development of collaborative frameworks and sector technical annexes, supporting the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID/KEA and Prosper/Nawiri county governments for Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR). The project's technical assistance to existing local Kenyan entities that partner with PEPFAR and OGAC has helped to strengthen their capacity and systems to implement effective and sustainable programs. Overall, the USAID Mission Organizational Development Support (MODS) project has made significant contributions to the development of local organizations in Kenya, promoting sustainable development outcomes and locally led development. The project's focus on capacity building, institutional strengthening, and collaborative framework development and implementation has enabled local organizations to take ownership of development initiatives and implement sustainable programs.