SPECIAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR PRT TEAM LEADERS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000757


STATE FOR NEA/I, NEA/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT APER IZ
SUBJECT: SPECIAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR PRT TEAM LEADERS


1. This is an action request. Embassy Baghdad's Office of
Provincial Affairs (OPA) requests that FSI/NFATC in consultation
with NEA develop a special 3-5 day course on "Leading Diverse Teams
in Conflict Zones" for senior and FS-01 officers assigned to Team
Leader positions in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Iraq.
The course also could be adapted for officers assigned to leadership
positions in Afghanistan PRTs and in other conflict zones as well.


2. There are currently 26 PRTs in Iraq headed by senior officers and
FS-01s who must manage and lead civilian teams partnered with
military brigades, to accomplish the mission of helping to build
Iraqi provincial officials' capacity to govern. The teams include
professionals from State, USAID, DOD, Justice and other agencies,
"3161" direct-hire subject matter experts, bilingual-bicultural
advisers, and third country nationals. Despite undeniable security
improvements, service in Iraq remains service in a war zone. Teams
are under constant threat of explosive, mortar or small arms
attacks, and their travel is limited to official business in armored
convoys. Work hours are long and team members live in spartan
environments with little privacy and few off-duty options. Although
the team leaders are experienced FSOs capable of managing their
mission and mentoring their staffs, few team leaders have exercised
such complex responsibilities in such dangerous circumstances.


3. Team Leaders currently are required to take two NFATC courses
before arriving in Baghdad: the week-long PRT course and the
two-week FACT course. Neither of those courses, however, prepares
them for the special demands they will face as leaders in a
high-stress, high ambiguity conflict zone.


4. Over and above the day-to-day difficulties of capacity-building
and development assistance work -- for which most Foreign Service
officers are not trained, the team leaders must direct the work of
diverse professionals from different backgrounds, many of whom have
never worked for the State Department. The administrative,
contracting, hiring authority and logistical rules guiding
operations in the PRTs are also remarkably intricate.


5. OPA had discussed development of a PRT leadership course with
FSI/NFATC trainers Ray Leki and Christine Powers during their visit
to Baghdad in February 2009. Leki and Powers led a session at the
Quarterly Team Leaders' Conference.


6. The Obama Administration has made clear that the PRT program
remains one of its highest priorities for Iraq. NEA projects
continuation of PRTs in Iraq at least through December 2011.


7. Embassy Baghdad now asks that FSI/NFATC work with NEA to develop
a 3-5 day version of the Senior Leadership Training course that
would be geared toward leading diverse teams in conflict zones.
Embassy Baghdad would recommend that all incoming officers assigned
to lead PRTs in Iraq be required to take the course. Ideally, the
course would include modules on:
- understanding styles of leadership;
- representing the PRT and the USG to Iraqis, the UN and other
foreign entities;
- managing and leading in a multi-national, multi-cultural,
multi-organization environment;
- supervising and leading diverse multi-cultural, interagency and
interdisciplinary teams;
- working with the military, USAID, the United Nations, development
NGOs, and other experts;
- understanding the supervisory and evaluation requirements for
FSOs, Civil Service detailees, "3161s," and other categories of
employee;
- dealing with EEO, harassment, disciplinary and other interpersonal
issues in a high-stress environment;
- managing up and around, working with challenging peers,
- managing up and around, working with challenging peers,
colleagues, bosses and subordinates; and
- motivating self and others.


8. In an increasingly "expeditionary" Foreign Service, diplomats
would benefit from the focus and preparation afforded by this kind
of leadership training course. Looking beyond the Team Leaders
assigned to PRTs in Iraq, the course would be relevant for those
officers assigned to leadership positions in Afghan PRTs or possibly
in other conflict zones.

BUTENIS