Report on activities and projects attributed to the Women's earmark Congressional funding. The report, Report on U.S. Government Women's Earmark in Afghanistan for Fiscal Year 2008 was published by USAID in May 2009. 

 

 

USAID LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (2007): COMMUNITY CONFLICT AND STABILITY SPECIALIST
 
In Kabul and Herat, the aim of the assignment was to increase the capacity of LGCD staff to integrate local stability initiatives and interventions into community mobilization processes and community development activities. Evaluation of conflict resolution grants in Herat, and the assessment of peace councils.
 
FINAL EVALUATION OF USAID/OTI PROJECTS (2005): EVALUATION SPECIALIST
 
Evaluation of small grants undertaken by USAID Office of Transition Initiatives in Afghanistan over four years (2002-2005). These included grants for infrastructure, gender programs, community initiatives, election awareness and government support. Evaluation of strategic relevance, community participation, linkages between government and community, and links between central and provincial governments. Coverage included Kabul (Kabul Province), Mazur-e-Sharif (Balkh Province), Kandahar (Kandahar Province), Nawaj (Parwan Province), Lashkar Gar (Helmand Province), Samangan (Samangan Province) and Gardez (Paktia Province).

EAST AFRICA
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia
 
FINAL EVALUATION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CHILD LABOR PROJECT - COMBATING CHILD LABOR THROUGH EDUCATION IN KENYA, UGANDA, RWANDA AND ETHIOPIA TOGETHER (KURET) (2008)
 
Final evaluation of the KURET project to assess child labor in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.  The goal of the evaluation were to: (1) assist organizations to identify areas of good performance; (2) assess the degree to which regional and country- specific objectives have been achieved; (3) assess progress of the governments ability to withdraw and prevent children from the worst forms of child labor and their abilitly to place them into relevant educational programs; (4) to identify key lessons to inform future USDOL projects; (5) to assess the impact of the project in terms of sustained improvements in each countrys efforts to combat child labor; and (6) identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
 
BOTSWANA
 
IDENTIFICATION OF OUTPUT/OUTCOME INDICATORS FOR THE SECTOR POLICY SUPPORT PROGRAM IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING for the EU(2005)
 
Development of a matrix of relevant sectoral output/outcome indicators with baseline and target values for 2-4 years (including rationale, risks, data collection tools, and verification of values) through the analysis of policy, financial and statistical data. The matrix supplements the Ministry of Education financing proposal process indicators for European Development Fund planning. Output indicators were SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) with consideration of national EMIS data collection, equity, gender, poverty and other cross-cutting factors using SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) and the Project Management Cycle. Inclusion of a study on HIV/AIDS and its impact on the education and training sector.
 

 

IRAQ

USAID's REVITALIZATION OF IRAQI SCHOOLS AND THE STABILIZATION OF EDUCATION (RISE) PROJECT (2003-2004): TEAM LEADER, ACCELERATED LEARNING PROGRAM
 
The Accelerated Learning Program was a pilot to recruit and train local teachers to facilitate primary students to undertake two years of schooling in one year, and to test innovative teaching and learning methodologies. Surveyed 4,500 out-of-school youth across Iraq to assess demand and educational needs. Established five intervention programs in urban and regional areas (Baghdad, Erbil, Kerbala, Diwaniyah and Nasiriyah) to return out-of-school youth from 8-19 years to the regular school system.

More photos:
Slide Show: Accelerated Learning
http://www.caii.com/CAIIStaff/Dashboard_GIROAdminCAIIStaff/Dashboard_CAIIAdminDatabase/images/slide_show/slide6.htm

Publications:
A Second Chance: Accelerated Learning
Creative Associates International, Inc., Washington DC, July 2004
http://www.caii.com/CAIIStaff/Dashboard_GIROAdminCAIIStaff/Dashboard_CAIIAdminDatabase/publications/ALIRAQ.pdf

Out-of-School Students Get a Second Chance
Creative Times (Newsletter), CAII Inc., Winter 2004, Vol2, No1
http://www.caii.com/CAIIStaff/Dashboard_GIROAdminCAIIStaff/Dashboard_CAIIAdminDatabase/publications/ETIMESWINTER0304.pdf

 
USAID DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT, IRAQ (2006): DATA QUALITY EXPERT

Ensured that USAID Strategic Objective teams were aware of the strengths and weakness of the data used for external and internal reporting to meet mandatory requirements to USAID/Washington. Provided recommendations to improve data quality and addressed key vunerabilities. Applied the five data quality standards (validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness) to each Strategic Objective indicator and reviewed data collection, maintenance and processing procedures. 


 

LIBERIA

MIDTERM EVALUATION OF USDOL's COUNTERING YOUTH AND CHILD LABOUR THROUGH EDUCATION (CYCLE) PROGRAM (2008): TEAM LEADER/EVALUATION SPECIALIST
 
Conducted an evaluation of the four-year US Department of Labor (USDOL) program at its midterm point to document achievements, successful models, and lessons learned; also conducted assessment in Sierra Leone. The field trip included remote regions, particularly border regions where trafficking of children is predominant. Visited stone crushing sites, ports, and other areas of high child labour. Also assessed the impact of youth attendance in skills training centres and vocational training centres, and children withdrawn from labour and place in primary and secondary schools.
 
FINAL EVALUATION OF USAID/OTI 's BUILDING REFORM THROUGH DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE 2007): TEAM LEADER/EVALUATION SPECIALIST
 
Assessed the impact of the democracy program on communities in targeted regions in Liberia. This included a survey of sample respondents, from ministerial staff, technical assistants, school administrators, students, and partnering NGOs.
 
FINAL EVALUATION OF USAID's COMMUNITY PEACE-BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, LIBERIA (2007): EVALUATION SPECIALIST
 
Assessed the impact of the CPBD program at the community level, in terms of the level of inclusive participation and capacity on the part of communities to identify needs and act on behalf of the broader community to address local issues and undertake collective economic and social activities. Assessed the prospect for sustainability of community level structures, radio stations, and local NGO partners supported by the CPBD program. Identified best practices and approaches in peace-building and community development at the grassroots level from the five-year CPBD program.
 
MID-TERM EVALUATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME, LIBERIA (2006-2007): EVALUATION SPECIALIST
 
Assessed the impact, relevance, appropriateness & sustainability of the design, planning, finance, & implementation of the ISP with respect to improving governance and public sector finance management during the transitional Government (Oct 03 to Jan 06) and from inauguration of the newly elected Government. Assessed EC's support to the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, General Auditing Commission, and various human rights, governance reform and reconciliation commissions. Assessed the impact and changes as a result of systems and financial audits of state-owned enterprises (airport, ports, forestry, petroleum refinery, and maritime affairs) as well as the Central Bank of Liberia.
 
LIBERIA TRANSITION INITIATIVE: ACCELERATED LEARNING OF OVER-AGED AND WAR-AFFECTED YOUTH (CHILD AND WOMEN EX-COMBATANTS) for USAID (2004-2005): SENIOR ACCELERATED LEARNING SPECIALIST
 
Managed the Initial Assessment Team to formulate a Strategic Framework and donor coordination plan for all USAID implementing partners as part of Liberia's demobilization and reintegration program. Provided a quality controlled structure to identify integral issues, priorities and core AL principles for planning and delivery of a community-based vocational education program to over-aged and war-affected youth. Training of 800 primary teachers; a review of the national curriculum and teachers' manuals; establishment of a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with output/outcome indicators; training in data collection tools, scheduling and quality assurance; and the establishment of an information dissemination strategy. A Curriculum Assessment included database management; statistical analysis of 3 surveys (teachers, students, and parents); and report writing.