Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA3419
2005-07-19 08:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

NSDD38 - USAID STAFFING IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Tags:  BG AODE AMGT ABLD ASEC KMRS KSPR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003419 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AA/ANE
ALSO FOR DAA/ANE
ALSO FOR ANE/AMS
ALSO FOR ANE/ESA

E.O.: 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG AODE AMGT ABLD ASEC KMRS KSPR
SUBJECT: NSDD38 - USAID STAFFING IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Ref: State 121976

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003419

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AA/ANE
ALSO FOR DAA/ANE
ALSO FOR ANE/AMS
ALSO FOR ANE/ESA

E.O.: 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG AODE AMGT ABLD ASEC KMRS KSPR
SUBJECT: NSDD38 - USAID STAFFING IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Ref: State 121976


1. The following provides a formal NSDD-38
proposal to change the size, composition, or
mandate of full-time, permanent USG positions in
Dhaka, Bangladesh. This is an action request. In
accordance with the provisions of NSDD-38,
USAID/Bangladesh seeks to create a Project
Development Officer position for an International
Development Intern (IDI) in the Program Office.
USAID/Bangladesh requests approval under NSDD-38
for this new position. This will result in an
increase in US Direct Hire staffing, but not an
increase in total USAID Mission staffing.


2. The USAID program remains central to the
bilateral relationship between the US Government
and the Government of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the
USAID/Bangladesh program overall remains one of the
Agency's largest and most complex transformational
development programs. However, the re-engineering
process in the 1990s left the Mission with a small
Program Office relative to other missions of
comparable size and weakened Mission programming
and project development capacity. To address this
situation, the recent USAID Mission Management
Assessment specifically recommended strengthening
the Program Office by adding additional staff with
expertise in this area. This need is of a long-
term nature and will persist as more newly-
recruited and less experienced staff are posted to
the field.


3. As provided in paragraph 3e of the referenced
cable USAID/Bangladesh has eighteen USDH positions
with NSDD-38 approvals:

-1. Mission Director
-2. Deputy Mission Director
-3. Legal Officer
-4. Supervisory Program Officer
-5. Project Development Officer
-6. Food for Peace Officer
-7. Supervisory Private Enterprise Officer
-8. Supervisory Agriculture Development Officer
-9. Supervisory Health/Population Development
Officer
-10. Supervisory Health/Population Development
Officer
-11. Controller
-12. Supervisory Executive Officer
-13. Supervisory Contracting Officer

-14. Contracting Officer
-15. Democracy Officer
-16. General Development Officer
-17. Deputy Executive Officer
-18. Population/Health Development Officer - FSO 3;
(New Position, NSDD-38 request submitted April 21,
2005, please see Dhaka 01865)
-19. Project Development Officer - FSO 4 (New IDI
position, NSDD-38 request submitted in this cable)


4. NSDD-38 Request questions: Post resource
requirements to support this new position would be
additive. The IDI Project Development Officer is
NOT a resident in Bangladesh, but rather a US
Direct Hire (USDH),full-time, permanent (FTP)
position. The person will have a diplomatic
passport with privileges and immunities. This
Project Development Officer will report to the
USAID/Supervisory Program Officer. Post responds
below to NSDD-38 request questions set forth in
paragraph 10 of the referenced cable.


5. A) The Project Development Officer IDI position
is not listed in the most recent MPP, although this
position will support a broad range of mission
goals as identified in the MPP and was identified
as a critical need in the recent USAID Mission
Management Assessment.


6. B) Presently there are no other staff resources
at post who are performing or could perform the
function.


7. C) USAID/Bangladesh has determined that the
function of the Project Development Officer cannot
be adequately accomplished through the use of TDY,
Foreign National, Contract, or other local hire
personnel. The recent USAID Mission Management
Assessment noted a dearth of staff skilled in
project design and recommended strengthening the
Mission's complement of project development
professionals to better support the whole range of
development programming in Bangladesh.


8. D) Post will provide administrative support as
an ICASS member, as well as office space. The
specific, one-time and recurring costs total USD
$365,445 over a two-year period, are outlined
below.

- Year 1 Year 2 Total
Post assignment 5,000 - 5,100
UAB, POV, Freight 15,000 15,000
Training 10,000 10,000 20,000
Rent 19,355 19,355 38,710
Utilities 6,019 6,019 12,038
Residential Security 6,000 6,097 12,097
Residential Furniture
Appliance, and generator 95,000 - 95,000
R&R 3,750 3,750 7,500
Home leave/transfer to
Washington 30,000 30,000
MEDIVAC/EVT 5,000 5,000 10,000
ICASS 60,000 60,000 120,000
TOTAL: 225,224 140,221 365,445

USAID/Bangladesh can commit these resources;
telephone number 880-2 885-5500 x 2782.


9. E) Post management has determined that the
current security program is sufficient for the
addition of this single position. The position
combined with existing Mission resources would
enhance current Mission programming in all sectors.
Post concludes that the benefit of this position
outweighs the incremental security risks associated
with additional staffing.


10. Timing: Post anticipates arrival of the USDH
Project Development Officer o/a September, 2005.


11. The Charge d'Affaires concurs with
USAID/Bangladesh's proposal to establish a U.S.
Direct Hire Project Development Officer position in
Dhaka.
CHAMMAS