Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NICOSIA665
2007-08-14 14:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNC #0665 2261425 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141425Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8066 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5018 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 3907
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000665
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR R/PPR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KICA KPAO OIIP AMGT
SUBJECT: GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
PROGRAMS
Ref: State 105588
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000665
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR R/PPR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KICA KPAO OIIP AMGT
SUBJECT: GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
PROGRAMS
Ref: State 105588
1. The following is in response to reftel regarding request for
information on PD support gaps and the management burden of all
grant awards.
2. ICASS Support: The PA section receives excellent support in PD
budget planning and execution, IRM system management, HR matters,
financial management issues and GSO matters. Nicosia PAS has
noticed that requests take longer than they did prior to
consolidation. One senior FSN colleague noted that what used to
take hours now takes days, whether it's printing invitations or
asking for budget information. Procurement and the processing of
purchase orders take much longer. These longer process times are
due to the fact that PA requests are now in the queue with all other
Embassy sections. Where there were two people doing part-time
procurement for just USIS, PA now shares the assistance of two
procurement staff along with the rest of the Embassy. Where there
was one dedicated driver for USIS, PA now has to share three ICASS
drivers with the entire Embassy. It should be noted that the vast
majority of services provided to PA are done so within the
established ICASS standards, and that the PAO is the State
representative on the ICASS Council.
3. Grants: The following answer a-e in para 3 of reftel:
* A) The volume/dollar amount of awards has not increased in the
past five years.
* B) Other embassy co-located agencies or mission elements are not
requesting PAOs or CAOs to sign grants.
* C) There are adequate staffing and financial resources to monitor
the performance of grantees.
* D) The majority of grants being written at post are for public
diplomacy objectives.
* E) The support problems here are not so severe. The main problem
is the length of time it takes for grantees to receive their funds,
sometimes months after the completion of the program.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR R/PPR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KICA KPAO OIIP AMGT
SUBJECT: GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
PROGRAMS
Ref: State 105588
1. The following is in response to reftel regarding request for
information on PD support gaps and the management burden of all
grant awards.
2. ICASS Support: The PA section receives excellent support in PD
budget planning and execution, IRM system management, HR matters,
financial management issues and GSO matters. Nicosia PAS has
noticed that requests take longer than they did prior to
consolidation. One senior FSN colleague noted that what used to
take hours now takes days, whether it's printing invitations or
asking for budget information. Procurement and the processing of
purchase orders take much longer. These longer process times are
due to the fact that PA requests are now in the queue with all other
Embassy sections. Where there were two people doing part-time
procurement for just USIS, PA now shares the assistance of two
procurement staff along with the rest of the Embassy. Where there
was one dedicated driver for USIS, PA now has to share three ICASS
drivers with the entire Embassy. It should be noted that the vast
majority of services provided to PA are done so within the
established ICASS standards, and that the PAO is the State
representative on the ICASS Council.
3. Grants: The following answer a-e in para 3 of reftel:
* A) The volume/dollar amount of awards has not increased in the
past five years.
* B) Other embassy co-located agencies or mission elements are not
requesting PAOs or CAOs to sign grants.
* C) There are adequate staffing and financial resources to monitor
the performance of grantees.
* D) The majority of grants being written at post are for public
diplomacy objectives.
* E) The support problems here are not so severe. The main problem
is the length of time it takes for grantees to receive their funds,
sometimes months after the completion of the program.
SCHLICHER