USAID DRG_ final final 6-24 3 (1)

USAID STRATEGY ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCEVIII. MOVING FORWARD:OPERATIONALIZING THE DRGSTRATEGYRecognizing the value and importance of DRG to fulfillthe Agency’s development objectives, the ObamaAdministration has made several changes to strengthenUSAID’s DRG capacity and engagement:■ The Center of Excellence for Democracy, Human Rights andGovernance (DRG Center) was created, with new teams onHuman Rights, Cross-Sectoral Programs, and Learning;■ USAID has increased its emphasis on citizen participation forgreater accountability through supporting activities such asthe Open Government Partnership and the recentlylaunched Grand Challenge for Development MAVC;■ USAID established new initiatives to prevent atrocities andfight human trafficking as part of larger USG efforts in theseareas; and■ USAID has emphasized the importance of country systemstrengthening through the Implementation and ProcurementReform Initiative and has developed tools, such as the PublicFinancial Management Risk Assessment Framework(PFMRAF), which includes both public financial managementand democratic accountability components. Together thesefacilitate increased use of government-to-government assistance,where appropriate, and reliance on partner-countryprivate sector and civil society program implementers.This strategy applies to all USAID bureaus and Missions andcovers policy and operations in Washington, D.C. and the field.On an ongoing basis, this strategy will inform the work of individualsand units throughout USAID, particularly when it comesto integrating this strategy into the Program Cycle. To meaningfullyelevate and integrate democracy, human rights andgovernance at USAID, and in order to institutionalize thisstrategy, additional specific responsibilities are entrusted toUSAID bureaus, Missions and independent offices.The Office of the Administrator will:■ Increase DRG prominence within USAID’s structure andprocesses by supporting the enhancement of humanresources and, programming as described below;■ Use the influence of the Administrator’s office to forcefullyengage within USAID, the interagency, and our donor andimplementing partners to advance the objectives of thisstrategy; and■ Direct the technical bureaus and Missions to integrate DRGprinciples and practices across USAID’s development portfolio,particularly the Presidential Initiatives.The DCHA Assistant Administrator will:■ Establish a Deputy Assistant Administrator-level steeringcommittee to oversee DRG strategy implementation withsupport from the DRG Sector Council. The steering committeewill brief the Administrator, Deputy Administrator andDCHA Assistant Administrator annually on the status ofDRG strategy implementation; and■ Advocate for adequate resources, staff and policy attentionfor DRG within USAID and the interagency.The DCHA/DRG Center will:■ Assume, in collaboration with regional bureaus and theOffice of Human Resources, a more significant and formalizedrole in the placement of DRG field officers, and workwith human resources to explore options to strengthenDRG field officers’ competencies and capacity;■ Enhance the DRG Center’s role in the development ofstrategies and programs, whether managed in the field or inWashington, D.C. by:35