FOCUS ON FSNs
In this section:
USAID Leadership Responds to Survey with Changes
for Foreign Service Nationals
U.S. Assists FSNs Affected by Zimbabwe Destruction
Campaign
USAID Leadership Responds to Survey with Changes for Foreign
Service Nationals
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Dr. Mariama Cire Bah, a foreign service national who
serves as USAID/Guinea’s reproductive health specialist,
discusses the particulars of HIV/AIDS transmission with
a group of young men who have gathered to drink tea.
She has been with the mission for 13 years.
Laura Lartigue, USAID/Guinea |
USAID’s 2004 employee opinion survey has led to new
personnel initiatives for the Agency’s largest employee
group: nearly 4,900 foreign service nationals (FSNs).
In last year’s survey, 1,400 comments were submitted,
mostly from FSNs. Many said they wanted career development
and training opportunities. Many commented on salary, and
asked that an FSN executive corps be established to enhance
communication between Washington management and people in
the field.
As a result of those requests, the Agency’s Business
Transformation Executive Committee (BTEC) made “nurturing
FSNs” one of its four major priorities for this year.
In addition, the Office of Human Resources (HR) established
the first FSN Working Group, with Agency representatives from
each USAID/Washington bureau and including former FSNs working
in the Washington area.
“The USAID FSN is the backbone of our field presence
overseas,” said George Thompson, human resources specialist
and member of the working group. “FSNs comprise 79 percent
of the overseas mission staff.”
The working group plans to create a publication of FSN success
stories, as well as new awards for FSNs. The group has already
created a virtual FSN network and regional FSN mailing lists
to ease communication between USAID/Washington and the FSN
community.
“A working group is a first step in putting together
a program and seeking a budget to do what we want to do,”
said Dave Eckerson, head of HR. “Working groups have
proven effective in the past, and this will be a joint effort
with HR and the field. A year from now, we want to be judged.”
In April, the working group met to develop a strategy and
action plan to promote professional development, mobility,
and communications.
To expand the role of FSNs, the working group is considering
ways to better utilize FSNs in countries with emerging priorities
for “surge” needs, as well as encouraging more FSN
exchange opportunities for temporary assignments in other
missions and in USAID/Washington.
Working group member Edith Houston of the Bureau for Africa
added: “The FSNs are the experts on the ground. From
the drivers who know the geographical landscape to the social
scientists who know the political landscape—they give
us the tools from which to launch our development work.”
Recognizing that English-language capability is one of the
single biggest factors in FSN career advancement, the HR office
recently rolled out online English-language training programs
targeting 1,000 entry-level FSNs worldwide.
The working group is also exploring other career development
options, such as increasing participation by FSNs in leadership
training programs and establishing senior FSN positions. For
instance, an FSN Executive Corps is being studied that would
identify a cadre of senior or retired FSN professionals worldwide
to meet surge and other short- to medium-term technical assistance
requirements.
“Taking greater advantage of the fantastic FSN resources
that we have is critical as we continue to face staffing shortages
around the world,” said Ken Yamashita, mission director
in Kosovo. “Senior FSNs can play a critical role in making
sure our programs move forward.”
Administrator Andrew S. Natsios recently named 2005 as the
“Year of the FSN” when announcing new initiatives
at the worldwide mission directors’ conference, held
in Arlington, Va., May 17–20.
Nancy Barnett contributed to this article.
U.S. Assists FSNs Affected by Zimbabwe Destruction Campaign
HARARE, Zimbabwe—USAID and the U.S. Embassy here
are offering financial help to local staff affected by a government-sponsored
demolition campaign.
One foreign service national (FSN) had his house destroyed,
leaving him, his wife, and their three children with no place
to live. Seven other FSNs have been given notice that their
homes will be torn down. Nineteen of the mission’s guards
have had their homes demolished.
The Zimbabwean government’s demolition campaign, dubbed
Operation Murambatsvina, or “drive out trash,” displaced
some 74,000 households in June.
The United Nations (UN) sent a special envoy to investigate
the destruction campaign June 26. The UN estimates that more
than 1 million people were affected by the campaign.
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