The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was created in 1961
with the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act by Congress which brought together
several existing foreign assistance organizations and programs. USAID’s objective is to
support international partners in becoming self-reliant and capable of leading their
own development journeys. This is accomplished by programs that aim to reduce the
reach of conflict, prevent the spread of pandemic disease, and counteract the drivers
of violence, instability, and other security threats.
USAID contracted with the National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy)
to provide guidance in the design and implementation of an innovative personnel
system for the Bureaus for Global Health and Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian
Assistance under the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Demonstration Project
Authority.
In this study, the Academy convened a Panel of Subject Matter Experts to (1) share
OPM Demonstration Project best practices and (2) provide guidance on successful
union, congressional, and OPM engagement. The Academy provided expert advice and
recommendations to the USAID Mobility and Flexibility team on:
a) Components of successful personnel Demonstration Projects;
b) Design and implementation features of a successful Demonstration Project;
and
c) Lessons learned from engaging in the OPM Demonstration Project
Authority process.
The Academy formed a five member Panel of Fellows to oversee the work of the study
team, provide guidance on project approach and issue recommendations for USAID to
consider in the design and implementation of the Demonstration Project.
The Academy project delivered two substantial briefings on lessons learned from other
OPM Demonstration Projects and options for the way ahead, drawn from its intensive
research and analysis. The Demonstration briefing revealed that the appraisal, talent
model, and pay flexibilities provided by Demonstration could be balanced against the
Administrative burden a Demonstration effort would entail. The Academy provided a
follow-on briefing that laid out specific options the Agency could pursue to address the
challenges at hand. The options included OPM Demonstration, Title 22 Foreign Service
Limited expansion, Title V Excepted Service through Schedule B, or fully excepted
authorization through legislative statute. The Academy presentation included potential
positive and negative impacts in order to inform leadership decision making.
