USAID Mission Organizational Development Support (MODS) Monthly Operational Status Report April 1 – April 30, 2021

The project, which began in 2019, is implemented by Dexis Consulting Group and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The primary objective of MODS is to foster ownership and locally-led development by improving the systems and capacity of LDOs, local governments, and existing local Kenyan entities. MODS takes a capacity building approach that applies learning cycle components, including needs assessments, Institutional Strengthening (IS) plans, and knowledge management. The project focuses on 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, and technical assistance to existing local Kenyan entities that partner with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In April 2021, the MODS team implemented various activities to support the APS process, institutional strengthening, and technical assistance. In Kisumu County, the MODS team supported the County Liaison Team (CLT) in the implementation of the LDO co-creation activities, including social mobilization, database setup, and technical support to the LDO Interim Committee members. The team also developed an information package for the 2nd and 3rd levels of social mobilization exercise and set up a database for capturing CSOs and private sector actors mobilized during the exercise. In Kiambu County, the MODS team conducted training for 12 social mobilizers, prepared outreach plans, and prepared the Kiambu LDO Information pack. The team also sensitized 85 CSOs and a total of 635 CSOs and private sector actors to become members of the LDO. The next steps for the MODS team in Kisumu and Kiambu counties include reviewing the social mobilization process and outcomes, validation workshops at sub-county level, and incorporating social mobilization fears, concerns, inputs, and opportunities into the constitutive documents of the LDO. The MODS project is expected to contribute to the goals of USAID's Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) by improving transparency, accountability, and performance of local organizations. The project's success will depend on the effective implementation of its activities and the capacity building of LDOs, local governments, and existing local Kenyan entities.