International Development and Programs (Development Work) - International Development and Programs (Development Work)

Two automated directives define how USAID programs should be designed and the role of an AOTR in monitoring a program for sustainability. ADS 201.3.4, Planning, USAID Mission/Office Long-Term Planning, requires USAID to work closely with partners, customers, and stakeholders to:

• Design and implement projects and activities that will ensure that results are achieved;
• Include resources required to execute the plan over its proposed time period;
• Include indication of the specific results expected and how performance will be measured and managed; and
• Produce sustainable benefits after termination of USAID funding.

In addition, ADS 303, Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental Organizations, Designation of the Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative, states that the agreement officer and AOTR share oversight of an assistance award.

The agreement officer designates the AOTR to monitor the implementer’s progress toward achieving program objectives and to verify that an implementer’s activities conform to the terms and conditions of the award. Moreover, site visits conducted by the AOTR are to be documented with findings highlighted and retained in the award files. The AOTR is also responsible for communicating potential problems to the agreement officer.

To achieve desired results, mission officials must ensure that sustainability is an integral component when monitoring program activities for results. Furthermore, monitoring of program activities for sustainability should be documented and potential problems communicated to the agreement officer immediately. For USAID programs with information technology components, communication on system requirements, protocol, and procedures to maintain the information technology infrastructure can be documented in the program’s activity approval document.

Source: AUDIT REPORT NO. 6-268-11-003-P December 6, 2010

This information is derived from audit reports of the Office of the Inspector General. The source refers to the audit report, which is available on this site as part of the Audit Database Project: an educational tool for compliance with USAID regulations.  Please see the disclaimer of this site before using this information.