Studies and Reports

The Impact of the Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation: a Retrospective Analysis 2006. This ambitious Study looked at 35 years of work under a program managed by USAID designed to support the growth of international voluntarism in America. The Study examined the economic and political factors that shaped the program and analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of different activities.

Belarus, The USAID Belarus Program, 2005. As Team Leader, I oversaw the preparation of a strategic assessment of USAID’s Belarus Program in the context of changing political and economic conditions and prepared a series of recommendations designed to improve management and re-focus the Program and better integrate foreign policy objectives.

India, US/India Legacy Foundation, 2004/2005. I conducted research and prepared the initial concept paper and a subsequent feasibility study and implementation plan for the creation of a joint US/ India funded foundation that would support future collaboration between scientific and social purpose groups in the United States and India. This two-year project involved extensive interviews with individuals in India and the United States, the design and conduct of a series of focus group sessions and extensive discussions with officials from both countries.

Cyprus, The Bi-communal Development Program, 2003. I did a study and evaluated the effectiveness of a unique United Nations program that was designed to promote reconciliation through improved communications and increased collaboration between Cypriot and Turkish NGOs on either side of the dividing line. The recommendations in my study were adopted and I subsequently prepared a re-structuring plan to modify the management and implementation of the program.

Macedonia, Governmental Decentralization, 2003. I conducted study of political, economic and social obstacles to local government reform in Macedonia. I helped identify statutory, regulatory and human resource bottlenecks and constraints and I worked closely with the contractor to make a number of modest adjustments to improve the impact of the program.

Building Durable Partnerships, 2000. In 2000 I was asked by the Academy for Educational Development to prepare a study that would identify best practices for entering into effective partnerships between American organizations and groups in developing countries. The first phase of this work involved extensive research and the collection of data and the conduct of interviews designed identify factors and conditions critical to building an effective and sustainable partnerships. The second phase involved the drafting of a report with a set of guidelines and best practices. This Study was broadly distributed throughout the Agency and to numerous international organizations.

The US/Baltic Foundation, 1999. I prepared the study that led to the subsequent establishment of the US/Baltic Foundation that was funded through contributions from the Soros Institute and the US government. The work involved the conduct of a needs assessment, the articulation of a clear rationale, the preparation of a work plan and funding proposal and the design of a governance structure. The Foundation was established and is currently operating.

The Management of the US Governments Management Structure for Responding to Famine and World Food Shortages, 1997. I conducted a study of the programs and various domestic and international agencies that are involved in responding to a food shortage crisis. The Study included recommendations for simplification and improved communication.

Kenya, the Kenyan Wildlife Service, 1992. I worked with a team of economists and wildlife specialists to draft a Study that analyzed different techniques for reducing wildlife predation from groups living adjacent to national parks. The report addressed the economic benefits of improved wildlife management and made recommendations regarding income-producing initiatives that could be introduced to discourage predation.

Advisory Committee for Voluntary Foreign Aid, 1988- 1993. I was hired by the Committee to provide staff assistance in the design and structuring of their quarterly meetings. I helped develop an annual theme, develop the agenda and schedule speakers. During this period I wrote two studies for the Committee: The Effectiveness of Private Voluntary Organizations and Planning for Change, A Maturing Partnership.

US Foundation Interest in Global Environmental Issues for The World Resources Institute, 1988. I conducted an early study to determine whether US foundations had an interest in environmental issues, in what specific areas and whether support was likely to be forthcoming.

Evaluations of Programs

Iraq, Building Civil Society, 2007. I spent a month in Iraq and evaluated a large government funded program that was designed to establish and strengthen grass-roots organizations working on issues of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. I traveled extensively and interviewed hundreds of Iraqis and developed an understanding of the prospects for the emergence of civil society in that benighted country.

Senegal and Uganda, Strengthening Local Government, 2002. I led a team of analysts to evaluate projects that were designed to support and strengthen local government institutions in these two countries. Our study covered issues of structural relations between central and local entities, the focus and value of training, roles and relationships among local government officials and areas requiring legislative change.

Central and Eastern Europe Media Strengthening, 2000. I led a team comprised of journalists and political scientists to evaluate a program that was designed to strengthen print, radio and television media in order to overcome a legacy of authoritarianism and build a more informed and engaged citizenry.

Central and Eastern Europe Democracy Network, 1998/99. I led three separate evaluations of a multi-country program designed to legitimize and strengthen the role of advocacy organizations in post-communist countries including Poland, Slovakia and the Baltic States. We examined the relevance and meaning of public policy advocacy, assessed the impact of a grant program, looked at different training models, examined the value of so called “NGO support groups” and attempted to identify the legal framework and institutional resources that need to be in place in order to support the emergence of a financially viable civil society sector.

The Mountain Institute. 1996. I conducted an organizational assessment of this not for profit environmental group, visiting Peru, Nepal and Sikkim and working closely with the staff of the Institute to re-assess goals and strategic objectives.

Indonesia, Building Civil Society, 1993. I prepared an evaluation of a program that was supporting indigenous Indonesian organizations in such areas as environmental protection, education reform and human rights. I traveled extensively throughout the country. Our report proposed significant changes in the management of the Program including external management, a focus on a more sharply limited number of local groups, the introduction of a training program.

Other. I have also conducted project evaluation in the Philippines (Natural Resource Management, Cambodia (democracy building), Ghana (enterprise development), Bolivia (enterprise development), Swaziland (business promotion), Mexico Integrated health delivery, Haiti, (eye care).

Organizational Development

Iraq, Agricultural Reform, 2006. I spent a month in Erbil, Kurdistan working directly with large USAID funded project to help them clarify objectives, establish a monitoring and reporting system and identify the key results they wanted to accomplish.

Romania, Building Collaboration, 2004. Based on results from a long established program, I researched and wrote a manual that would help NGOs in Romania establish and sustain durable partnership relations between American and Romanian social purpose organizations.

Ukraine, The Institute for Polish/Ukrainian Cooperation, 2002. I was asked to do an evaluation of this organization which was heavily reliant on US Government funding. I conducted the evaluation but then stayed on to Institute develop a plan for independence and sustainability. My work included support to the staff to develop a strategic plan, help in designing a governance structure, the facilitation of a board and staff retreat and the development of a plan to achieve financial sustainability.

Sustainable Development Services, 2000. I did a study of a unique program that provided management services to American non-profits working in the area of international development that was designed to help these groups reduce their reliance on federal funding by helping them identify and cultivate alternative sources of revenue.

Bureau for Humanitarian Response. 1998. I worked with the senior staff of a Bureau within USAID with a program of $600 million to develop a set of strategic plans at the Bureau and Office level covering disaster assistance, food for peace and programs of private voluntary cooperation. The effort involved articulation of goals, strategic objectives, program outcomes and the development of progress indicators. It included design and development of a program and performance information system for senior managers and the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system.

Ethiopian Commission for Relief and Rehabilitation, 1997. I traveled to Ethiopia 4 times over a year to work directly with the Relief Commission to design and a Policy Planning Office. To do this I helped the Commission do an assessment of their organizational structure, and conduct a strategic planning process. I helped them design evaluation procedures and provided assistance in the formulation of policies and procedures for working with local and expatriate NGOs.

United States, InterAction Strategic Plan, 1993. I worked closely with the staff and CEO of the newly established InterAction to prepare a long-range strategic plan. The effort involved considerable interaction with staff and trustees, a facilitated retreat and discussions with current and prospective funders.