JMC State_USAID Consolidation Roadmap - ICASS

Experience has shown that leadership and communication are the most important components ofa successful consolidation. The Chief of Mission (COM) should empower agency heads,Management Officers (MO), Executive Officers (EXO) and other key managers in both agenciesto make the necessary decisions. The COM should indicate that he/she is fully behind her/hismanagement team and expects them to get the job done for the greater good of the mission andthe U.S. government, in the spirit of interagency cooperation. Mission managers in turn shouldwork to establish a clear implementation plan, first clearing it with the local ICASS Council, andthen communicating the plan to all employees, American and Locally Engaged Staff (LES). TheCOM or Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) should serve as the senior “champion” forconsolidation, establishing clear lines of authority for the consolidation process and developing alocal governance structure that establishes and empowers a committee or working group tomanage the transition. Ideally, the local working group is co-chaired by the senior managementofficer at State and executive officer at USAID. In addition to planning the transition, theworking group should develop a communication strategy ensuring plans and other informationare promptly disseminated to mission members and that the COM, DCM and regional bureaurepresentatives are kept fully informed of the group’s activities.3.1 Essentials for Success:3 Step-by-Step InstructionsStrong support and teamwork from the COM, DCM and USAID Mission Director are crucial tothe success of this effort. Therefore the two most important ingredients for successfulconsolidation are:a. Powerful front office support andb. Effective communication, both between State and USAID service providers and betweenthe service provider community and its customers.State MOs and USAID EXOs must ensure that post leadership is fully briefed, involved, andsupportive of the upcoming consolidation effort.Communication must be maintained throughout the consolidation process. Post leadershipshould receive regular progress reports, as well as timely notification of any problems likely torequire higher-level resolution. Lines of communication must be opened and maintainedbetween State and USAID service providers, customers, the Post ICASS Council, and hostcountry national employees.State and USAID are both foreign affairs agencies and share many similarities, particularly in theoverseas environment. However, they are still two independent organizations with discretecorporate cultures and programmatic needs that must be understood and respected.3.2 Organize the Consolidationa. Establish the Consolidation Working Group and sub working groups.Consolidation Roadmap - 6 - www.jmc.gov