MONDAY

DEVELOPMENTS
The Latest Issues and Trends in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

InterAction’s
2008 Forum
Highlights

June 2008
Vol. 26, No. 6
InterAction
 Contents
3 Inside this Issue
4 Event Summaries
18 Workshop Summaries
38 Inside Our Community
40 Career Developments
41 Position Announcements

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
Managing Editor Monday Developments is published 12
Chad Brobst times a year by InterAction, the largest
alliance of U.S.-based international
Editor development and humanitarian
nongovernmental organizations. With
Kathy Ward
more than 160 members operating in every
developing country, InterAction works to
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Friends and Colleagues,
 
Our Annual Forum this year celebrated the many visions of
ending poverty and provided the space and opportunity for
exploration and collaboration for national and international
relief and development actors.
The world today is a very challenging place for what some
are calling the “bottom billion” of humanity:
• Abject poverty still kills millions of people every year.
• The current global hunger crisis has staked its claim to
people who already live in harsh conditions – and threat-
ens to get worse in the next few years.
• Life will become fundamentally more difficult for the
world’s poor, as the effects of global warming impact the
developing world.
• Millions of lives continue to be affected by complex
emergencies, failed states and authoritarian regimes.
Inside this Issue
As daunting as these current challenges are, as a community,
we can claim many major victories within the past year. Our
community’s role and our ability to impact positive change
have significantly evolved. U.S. NGOs are now being repre-
sented in numerous major aid policy and practice discussions.
We are also gradually gaining international momentum for
a “people-centered” development model, where people own
their own development efforts; and relief and development or-
ganizations ensure that our partnerships with southern NGOs
go beyond mere program implementation to one in which we
invest in the sustainability of southern civil society. Safeguard-
ing the direction of global aid can only be effective if global
civil society represents a unified front. By reaching beyond our
traditional boundaries, we are poised to shape the nature of the
aid conversation in this nation and around the world.
This issue of Monday Developments gives you a snapshot
view of the many sessions and riveting plenaries offered at
the Forum this year. Thanks to our engaging lineup of speak-
ers and dynamic attendees, it was an exciting three days. We
look forward to seeing you again next year!
Sam Worthington
President and CEO, InterAction
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 3
Responding in Burma and China
By Elizabeth Bellardo, Program Manager, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction
O
n Saturday May 3rd, just to work in Burma, only a very limited
before the start of InterAc- number of international staff have been
tion’s Forum, Cyclone Nar- allowed to move out of the capital to
gis hit Burma (also known the affected areas.
as Myanmar) with wind speeds of up
to 120 miles per hour, devastating the Nine days later on May 12th, China’s
costal and inland regions. It was a Sichuan Province was struck by an
disaster that weighed heavily on the earthquake measured at 7.9 on the
minds of many Forum attendees. More Richter scale. Soon after sending its
than half a dozen InterAction mem- own relief teams to the affected areas
ber organizations and over 2,500 staff and doing internal assessments, China
were on the ground when the cyclone requested international relief aid for
hit. It soon became clear that the extent the first time in 10 years. Organiza-
of the damage and number of people tions already working in the region on
affected surpassed that acknowledged longer-term programming promptly
by the Burmese government. mobilized to respond. Other NGOs
quickly sent relief supplies.
In the days that immediately followed
the disaster, the government of Burma As restrictions slowly ease in Burma
not only underreported the destruction, and the relief needs become better
but also tightly restricted movement identified for the Chinese earthquake,
of aid goods and personnel into the many InterAction members are re-
country. Even for those organizations sponding to both crises. Some are
already registered with the government operating on the ground, while others
are assisting local partners, other in-
ternational NGOs and UN agencies.
Essential relief supplies such as food,
clean water, medicines, shelter materi-
als and blankets have been provided
by or purchased with funds from Inter-
Action members. For almost a month,
the Burmese government’s reluctance
to admit substantial numbers of relief
experts and its unwillingness to allow
those in the country to even assess
damage in the affected areas left hun-
dreds of thousands of storm survivors
without needed supplies and services.
Only after a high level visit from UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon did
Photo courtesy: Wang Ning/World Vision
the government indicate that it would
Learn More:
• InterAction members responding in China: www.interaction.org/china
• InterAction members responding in Burma: www.interaction.org/burma
• InterAction’s Guide to Appropriate Giving: www.interaction.org/disaster/
guide_giving.html
4 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
ease the prevailing restrictions. In
China, the government has not only
acknowledged the seriousness of the
earthquake, but also has succeeded in
mobilizing tens of thousands of sol-
diers, police and others to locate and
assist survivors. The recovery needs in
both countries will be immense.
For many InterAction members re-
sponding to two concurrent crises is not
a new phenomenon. Many organizations
already work in as many as a dozen cri-
ses all over the word such as Afghani-
stan, Darfur, the Democratic Republic
of Congo, Iraq and Somalia. The news
spotlight always shines brightest on the
newest crisis, and one of many chal-
lenges facing the humanitarian commu-
nity is encouraging the media and the
generous American public to remain
focused on vulnerable people in places
such as Colombia, the Democratic Re-
public of Congo and Haiti that are not in
the news every day.
In the case of both the Burma response
and China response, InterAction has
posted on its website a list of member
organizations responding. This list has
been picked up by many news outlets,
and all public inquires that come to
InterAction are directed to these lists.
Other outreach efforts to the press
and public have focused on the role of
NGOs in responding to international
disasters and the issue of appropriate
giving. In addition, InterAction is fa-
cilitating information sharing among
members and between NGOs, the UN
and the U.S. government.
InterAction’s Sixth Annual
Photography
Contest

I
nterAction’s annual photography
contest focuses on the tremendous
work done by our members in the
field. The amazing submissions help
us to raise awareness about the impact
of our members’ work, and the powerful
images introduce the American public
to the enterprising spirit of the people
we work with around the world.

This contest provides an opportunity

for photographers to add their voices
to the international relief and develop-
ment community by communicating
the character and heart of our work.
This year, we challenged contribu-
tors to submit pictures that capture the
theme of the 2008 InterAction Forum:
“New Visions to End Poverty.” Other
Outstanding Photo award winners are
pictured throughout this issue. To view
all submissions, visit our online gallery
at www.interaction.org.

2008 Grand Prize Winner: Mother and Child on the Tonle Sap Lake, by Christopher Klinge
Christopher Klinge is a freelance commercial photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin. After surviving a short battle
with cancer in 2006, Chris began volunteering to share his photography skills with organizations like the SEVA Foun-
dation, for whom he traveled to Cambodia in 2007. His winning photograph, Mother and Child on the Tonle Sap Lake,
was taken while on this trip. Chris stated that while in Cambodia, he developed a newfound compassion and concern
for the world, discovering that we are all truly connected and how much our help is needed to build better communi-
ties. Chris has more than fifteen years of experience as a professional photographer, earning his degree in photogra-
phy in 1992. When not in the studio, Chris loves to travel and spends time with family and friends. He remains very
excited about the future and has made plans to undertake more volunteer service toward the end of this year.

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 5

 Recognizing that Development
Rights are Human Rights
By Margaret Christoph, Senior Administrative Associate for External Relations, InterAction

T
“ he General Assembly proclaims
this Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as a common
standard of achievement for all
peoples and all nations, to the end that
every individual and every organ of so-
ciety, keeping this Declaration constantly
in mind, shall strive by teaching and edu-
cation to promote respect for these rights
and freedoms and by progressive mea-
sures, national and international, to se-
cure their universal and effective recog-
nition and observance,” Mary Robinson
quoted from the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which lays out the right
to food, clothing, housing, medical care,
education and work, among other things.
She then challenged, “Think…if we actu-
ally lived by these shared values.”

The opening dinner of the 2008 InterAction

Forum celebrated the 60th anniversary of

6 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

the United Nations Convention on Human
Rights, where this declaration was adopted.
The dinner’s panel included: Her Excellen-
cy Mary Robinson, a member of the Elders,
who served as the first woman president of
Ireland and the former UN High Commis-
sioner for Human Rights; Ela Bhatt, also a
member of the Elders and founder of the
Self-Employed Women’s Association; Ellen
Dorsey, Executive Director of the Wallace
Global Fund and Board Chair of Amnesty
International; and Leonard Rubenstein,
President of Physicians for Human Rights.
They discussed the changing definition of
human rights in the world today, and how
it applies not only in the development com-
munity, but also to all global citizens.

The American definition of “human

rights” has for decades been limited to
civil liberties. The panelists challenged
that we need to define human rights to
also include physical, social, economic
and moral security. Mrs. Bhatt particu-
larly emphasized the rights of women,
which are often most severely curtailed
in places where women’s contributions
are the most vital.
She also warned that rights are meaning-
less without responsibilities: not only our
own as individuals, but also of govern-
ments to ensure that everyone’s rights are
upheld. Mr. Rubenstein brought up the
adage, “If you give a man a fish, he will
eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish,
he will eat for a lifetime.” He then asked
who has the responsibility to teach this
man to fish, to ensure the water is clean,
or to offer him the education that would
allow him to earn a living in a completely
different way if he desired.
Mrs. Robinson defended poor communi-
ties’ right to speak out against their govern-
ments, and increasingly against the private
sector and other complicit entities, for not For the full text of the Universal Declara-
doing enough to overcome their poverty. tion of Human Rights, and to sign a state-
She argued that governments need to have ment in support of it, please visit http://www.
common standards of what constitutes everyhumanhasrights.org. Please email
both poverty and human rights. questions and comments on this article to
mchristoph@interaction.org.
Ms. Dorsey challenged the human rights
organizations that are now expanding
their definition of human rights to think
of ways they can bring their historic con-
stituencies into alignment with their new,
broader efforts. Mr. Rubenstein encour-
aged the humanitarian relief and develop-
ment community to start using the term
“human rights” more. He pointed out that
all development NGOs work for human
rights in one way or another, and that a
more unified message will help others
understand and support the community’s
common goals.

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 7

Changing with the Times:
The Future of Foreign Aid
By Margaret Christoph, Senior Administrative Associate for External Relations, InterAction
A
“ new generation of moral and
national security challenges
have already reshaped our
foreign policy, including ter-
rorism, ethnic conflicts, food security,
global health threats, climate change
… the list goes on. Confronting this
new generation of challenges demands
that we make foreign assistance – es-
pecially development – central to our
foreign policy.” In her remarks, Con-
gresswoman Betty McCollum (D,
MN) helped to shape the tone of the
luncheon plenary on The Future of
Foreign Aid. She gave a brief open-
ing speech and then turned the floor
over to Steve Radelet, Senior Fellow
at the Center for Global Development,
Gayle Smith, former HELP Commis-
sioner and currently a Senior Fellow
at the Center for American Progress,
and Joe Lockhart, founding partner of
The Glover Park Group and one-time
White House spokesperson in the Clin-
ton administration.
The current Foreign Assistance Act is
nearly 50 years old and over 500 pages
8 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
long. Aid is funneled through more than
20 different agencies. Each panelist
agreed that a Cold War-based foreign
assistance policy has no place in today’s
world and that, although it will be dif-
ficult, the time for change is now.
Dr. Radelet listed the six major problems
he sees with today’s foreign assistance
policy: a lack of overarching strategy;
the overuse of earmarks and presidential
initiatives; the fragmentation of aid fund-
ing; insufficient staffing for USAID; an
incoherent allocation of funds through
the appropriations process; and a lack of
accountability for results.
Ms. Smith talked about the three lev-
els where she sees a need for solutions. are increasingly being conflated in of-
First, a new “grand bargain” needs to ficial U.S. policy and practice.
be forged between all the major play-
ers. The bargain must address the Mr. Lockhart emphasized the NGO
nexus between development and secu- community’s need to speak with one
rity, result in a unification of the pri- voice, in one vocabulary – much as
orities of the legislative and executive environmental advocates have learned
branches, be built on bipartisan sup- to do for climate change. He stressed
port from the Democrats and Repub- that doing so will strengthen the com-
licans, and establish a new level of co- munity’s advocacy and help get for-
operation between the State eign assistance reform on the agenda
Department, diplomats, and in the first hundred days of the new
development experts. Sec- administration.
ond, new leadership and co-
ordination is needed. This Comments from the audience included
would involve not only the concerns that this debate and the re-
creation of a cabinet-level form process are too DC-driven and do
Department for Global De- not adequately incorporate voices and
velopment, but also new perspectives from recipient countries,
foreign assistance legisla- highlighting the need for expert analy-
tion that would be short and sis of the design, evaluation, and im-
clear, giving guidance on plementation of such reforms, and also
oversight. Third, the U.S. the need to ensure affected populations
government’s structure, participate in defining what they need
positioning and foreign as- and in identifying the best ways to de-
sistance capacity must be liver that assistance.
re-evaluated: development
and diplomacy are funda- Please email questions and comments
mentally different, yet they to mchristoph@interaction.org.
Poverty Luncheon Focuses on
Food Crises, Partnerships
By Nia Davis, Consultant, InterAction

C
ollaboration, partnerships and
the rise in food prices were
among the common themes
discussed by panelists during
the 2008 Forum Closing Luncheon Ple-
nary, “Focusing on Poverty.” Speakers
Henrietta Fore, Administrator of the
U.S. Agency for International Devel-
opment (USAID) and Director of the
Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance,
Juan Jose Daboub, Managing Director
of the World Bank, and Kemal Derviş,
Administrator of the UN Development
Programme (UNDP), each presented
their own visions to end poverty.

We are all accountable for

being part of a solution.
The World Bank’s Juan Jose Daboub’s
vision included countering immediate
threats and combating rising food pric-
es. He talked extensively about climate
change and the food crisis. He said
that with the rise in food prices, many
people around the world are using
more and more of their income to buy
food, which has pushed an increasing
number of people into poverty. He also
noted the disastrous effects of climate
change, describing it as “a very impor-
tant issue at the top of our agenda.” He
emphasized the importance of creating
jobs for those in need. “Job creation is
the best tool for poverty reduction.”
UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş
also addressed the effects of rising food
prices on combating poverty and on
achieving the Millennium Development
Goals. He stressed the importance of
collaboration among public and private
agencies in reducing poverty. “I believe
we can do better if we all pull together,”
he said. “Overall, if we weather the
storm, there are opportunities.”
Each speaker also discussed subjects
such as the need for a strong U.S. gov-
ernment-led humanitarian assistance
and development policy. Henrietta
Fore offered reflections on poverty
and discussed U.S. funding for cur-
rent projects. “The world we work
in has been fraught with unexpected
twists and unintended consequences,”
she explained. Fore then discussed
paradoxes of complexity, progress and
performance, giving examples of each
one. She highlighted the importance
of recognizing and acting upon the in-
terconnectedness of people around the
world. She and the other panelists also
discussed the importance of public-
private partnerships. “We are all ac-
countable for being part of a solution,”
she said.

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 9

Leet Award 2008:
Opportunity International, Pathfinder International
and Winrock International Honored
By Thu Cao, Program Coordinator, Commission on the Advancement of Women, InterAction

I
nterAction’s Commission on the
Advancement of Women presented
the 14th Annual Mildred Robbins
Leet Award for the Advancement of
Women to Opportunity International,
Pathfinder International, and Winrock
International. The award was established
in 1995 to recognize member agencies
making significant progress in attain-
ing gender equity in their programs and
management. The award is named after
Millie Leet, a long-time advocate for
gender equality in the InterAction com-
munity and co-founder of Trickle-Up.
The theme of this year’s award is ex-
panding investments in women and
girls and reducing poverty.
Opportunity International’s partner in
India, Growing Opportunity Finance
(GO Finance) has made investment in
female entrepreneurs the entire focus of
its work. GO Finance currently serves
nearly 14,000 clients with loans. All
of its clients are women. Centered in
Chennai in Tamil Nadu, GO Finance
has worked to provide loans through a
trust group model, which enables wom-
en to help each other access finance.
GO Finance offers more than credit to
women. It provides training in domestic
violence prevention, leadership skills,
health care, nutrition and business de-
velopment. This comprehensive ap-
proach transforms women’s lives. Dem-
onstrating increased economic security,
GO Finance clients have gone on to
empower others in their community. In
one trust group, all of the women gath-
ered rice over a period of nine months
and gave away 120 kilograms of rice to
a school for blind girls.
Ethiopia, is a powerful example of
Pathfinder International’s commitment
to greater gender equity. Pathfinder
educates girls and women about sexual
and reproductive health and improves
access to quality health services. The
project also promotes legal action to
stop harmful traditional practices and
gender-based violence. Pathfinder has
trained a network of nearly 10,000
community-based reproductive health
agents in more than 6,000 villages.
Hundreds of religious leaders and for-
mer circumcisers have become ardent
advocates for reproductive health and
have publicly celebrated marriage cer-
emonies of young couples where the
bride has not been circumcised. Legal
advocates, assisted by Pathfinder, were
able to push through major changes in
the law affirming 18 as the legal age of
marriage and explicitly outlawing fe-
male genital cutting, rape, forced mar-
riage and trafficking in women. In the
regions of Amhara and Tirgray, 12,950
marriages were cancelled in a single
year alone.
Recognizing women as engines for
change, Winrock International launched
the African Women Leaders in Agri-
culture and the Environment program
(AWLAE) in the early 1990s. The pro-
gram addresses Africa’s food security
problems by promoting women’s par-
ticipation, in partnership with men, in
agricultural development. The AWLAE
program created a pan-African cadre of
women scientists and leaders who are
committed to the well-being and pro-
ductivity of the woman farmer. In sev-
eral countries, national gender policies
have been instituted as a result of AW-
LAE, and women now hold senior posi-
tions in ministries of agriculture and the
environment. AWLAE net is now a self-
sustaining network of African women
and community leaders devoted to the
well-being and productivity of women
farmers. Winrock’s investment is partic-
ularly significant against the backdrop
of the current world food crisis.
Please email comments and questions
to tcao@interaction.org.

The Women’s and Girls’ Empower-

ment Project, launched in 2003 in

10 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

Financing for Development:
What’s in the Global Piggy Bank for the MDGs
and Gender Equality?
By Thu Cao, Program Coordinator, Commission on the Advancement of Women, InterAction
I
n order to have progress towards
gender equality, it is necessary to
examine the specific costs of those
strategies aimed at promoting gen-
der equality and women’s empower-
ment. The resources exist, but they
are not being mobilized towards gen-
der equality. For women to count, it is
critical to count women,” said Her Ex-
cellency Mary Robinson, former Presi-
dent of Ireland at the annual Commis-
sion on the Advancement of Women
Breakfast.
The breakfast, with more than 250 at-
tendees, focused on the global picture
for investing in women’s and girls’
empowerment and poverty alleviation.
The topic is timely given the upcom-
ing Review Conference on the 2002
Financing for Development Monter-
rey Consensus to be held in Doha from
November 29 through December 2. In
a lively talk show style dialogue led by
Ms. Robinson, presenters discussed fi-
nancing for development and the mes-
sages on gender equality and reducing
poverty the development community
should take to Doha.
“Changes in political will, social norms
and legislation are central to achiev-
ing gender equality and women’s em-
powerment, but they are not enough.
Adequate financial resources must be
allocated towards achieving gender
equality,” said Caren Grown, Econo-
mist-In-Residence at American Uni-
versity. A study in Bangladesh, Cam-
bodia, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda
found that gender equality investment
represented only about 12 percent of
all Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) investments in 2006 and at
current rates will represent only 15
percent in 2015.
“The global piggy bank for gender
equality is fragile,” said Mariama Wil-
liams, International Development Con-
sultant at the International Gender and
Trade Network and a member of the
Steering Committee of Development
Alternatives with Women for a New
Era (DAWN). Williams explained that
gender equality as expressed in the
MDGs have made minimal progress
due to lack in political will and re-
sources. The components of financing
for development – aid, trade, debt sus-
tainability and monetary policy – must
be reevaluated to enable food security
and quality public services in areas
such as health, education and access to
water. Promoting sustainable domestic
capital formulation in the micro, small
and medium sectors of the economy
(where women tend to predominate)
is critical to financing gender equality
and poverty reduction.
“The framing for Doha should be
centered on identifying obstacles and
making new financial commitments
towards gender equality,” said Manuel
Montes, Chief of Policy Analysis and
Development Financing for Develop-
ment Office, United Nations Depart-
ment of Economic and Social Affairs
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
(UNDESA). Resource commitments
in respect to official development
assistance and in light of the Paris
Declaration should focus on dialogue
between rich and poor countries. Ex-
amples of issues to consider include:
(1) rigid restrictions on foreign aid
money; (2) examining women’s con-
tributions to GDP (gross domestic
product) through both the formal and
informal sectors of the economy; and
(3) including women in the discus-
sions related to tax policies. Mr. Mon-
tes also noted that while a consensus
now exists that addressing climate
change is part of good development,
but there is still not a similar consen-
sus recognizing that gender equality
is integral to development.
The breakfast session built on the mo-
mentum of Breakthrough: The Wom-
en, Faith, and Development Summit to
End Global Poverty convened in mid-
April. Sponsored by the Women, Faith
and Development Alliance of which
InterAction is a co-founder, the Sum-
mit announced over $1 billion in new
commitments from over 90 NGOs,
faith communities, women’s organiza-
tions and multilateral organizations.
11
Advocacy Day:
Voicing Our Community’s Concerns
Evan Elliott, Coordinator, Public Policy and Advocacy, InterAction

Clockwise L to R: Advocacy delegates meet in the office of Congressman

Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL); Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) greets
Ela Bhatt and Sam Worthington; Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)
welcomes Anne Lynam Goddard and other advocates.

O
n the second day of this year’s Forum, InterAction
held its annual Advocacy Day. More than 100 par-
ticipants and members of InterAction’s Public Pol-
icy Committee met with 80 offices on Capitol Hill
to discuss the importance of humanitarian relief and devel-
opment, and to make specific requests of congressional staff.
This year, talking points focused on building awareness of the
Core Humanitarian and Development Accounts that InterAc-
tion tracks, discussing the long-term importance of those ac-
counts for foreign policy, pointing out the need to modernize
the foreign assistance delivery structure and telling “success
stories” from the field. Advocates also talked about increasing
the U.S. government’s civilian capacity to respond to disasters
and other emergencies and about how investing in a country’s
development up-front can be a fiscally responsible way to
avoid costly military or humanitarian interventions later on.
 
Specific “asks” for Advocacy Day were as follows:
• In the House of Representatives, participants asked con-
gressional offices to communicate support for the highest
possible subcommittee allocation (302b) to Appropriations
Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI), to communicate
support for humanitarian accounts in the supplemental to
Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-CA),
and to cosponsor a new resolution on the modernization of
foreign assistance.
• Advocates asked Senate offices to communicate support
for the humanitarian accounts in the supplemental and for a
robust subcommittee allocation to Appropriations Commit-
tee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Ranking Member
Thad Cochran (R-MS), and to cosponsor the Global Pov-
erty Act (S.2433), which has already passed in the House.  
• Participants focused their outreach on the appropriations
and authorizing committees (i.e., those committees that
have funding and oversight authority over USAID and the
State Department) in both the House and Senate, and on
fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats in the House.
We also had CEO-level meetings with two key allies of
international relief and development, Chairwoman Nita
Lowey (D-NY) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum
(D-MN) of the House State/Foreign Operations Appropria-
tions Subcommittee.
 
Overall, the Advocacy Day teams were well received by of-
fices on both sides of the aisle, and congressional staff were
glad to hear about the realities of humanitarian relief and
development from the unique field-based perspective of Fo-
rum attendees. For this reason, Advocacy Day lays a strong
foundation for the public policy work that InterAction and its
members do during the remainder of the year.

12 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

CEO Track Sessions
By Luisa Córdoba, Senior Research Development Associate, InterAction
I
n 2008, for the first time the Inter-
Action Forum featured a track de-
signed exclusively to facilitate the
meeting between InterAction, its
board members, CEOs and boards of
member organizations, and Interac-
tion’s senior staff. The discussions
centered on policy issues and external
trends, ranging from the global food
crisis to human rights, which are shap-
ing InterAction’s community. It gave
members the opportunity to have a
more intimate conversation with rep-
resentatives of the U.S. government, a
deeper understanding of major private
funders’ areas of interest, and world
leaders’ commitments to humanitarian
and international development work.
The 2-hour CEO track sessions varied in
format. For example, Wednesday, May 7
featured a morning panel that discussed
the advantages and challenges of adopt-
ing a human rights-based framework
for development. On Thursday, May 8,
a roundtable-style discussion centered
on the policy issues and external trends
that are shaping our community; while
the afternoon workshop provided our
member CEOs and their board of direc-
tors with tools to improve the interac-
tion between themselves and the man-
agement of their organizations. Below
is a summary of each session that was
part of this year’s CEO track:
Wednesday, May 7,
Morning Plenary:
Human Rights-Based Frame-
work for Development
Thirty member CEOs met to discuss
the instances in which collaboration be-
tween development and humanitarian
organizations already exists, and how
such collaboration could be heightened
in a strategic manner. Representatives
from Interaction’s humanitarian and
development community met with Ella
Bhatt, founder of SEWA and a pioneer
in grassroots development; Mary Rob-
inson, former president of Ireland and
United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights; Ellen Dorsey, Executive
Director of the Wallace Global Fund and
Board Chair of Amnesty International;
and Dr. Leonard Rubinstein, President
of Physicians for Human Rights. The
group discussed ways in which adopt-
ing a human rights framework would
affect the effectiveness of international
development nonprofits.
Participants spoke of the challenges they
face in the process of moving their or-
ganizations towards a more rights-based
approach to development, the importance
of engaging local governments in related
capacity building efforts for rights, and
the limited presence of a rights-based
perspective in the Millennium Devel-
opment Goals. The session members
determined that much remains to be
done within the InterAction setting to
explore this issue and that a rights-based
perspective will also be important in ad-
dressing climate change. The discussion
also covered larger topics such as the po-
liticization of foreign aid and the lack of
sufficient attention to people living with
disabilities within the development and
rights-based framework alike.
Thursday, May 8,
Morning Roundtable:
NGO Governance Session I:
A Discussion with Interaction’s
President
CEOs from InterAction member or-
ganizations and CEOs from counter-
part NGO platforms in Europe joined
InterAction CEO and President Sam
Worthington and members of his staff
in a candid conversation on the oppor-
tunities and challenges facing the U.S.
NGO community.
The Partner Vetting System was a ma-
jor area of discussion. Proposed by
USAID, this system would support
the vetting of individuals, officers,
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
or other officials of nongovernmental
organizations that apply for USAID
contracts, grants, and cooperative
agreements with the stated purpose to
prevent the diversion of U.S. govern-
ment funds to terrorists and terrorist
organizations. Other topics covered
included: the need to develop sophisti-
cated short and long-term solutions to
the food shortage crisis; the increased
use of private contractors; the positive
and negative aspects of dealing with
the U.S. military on the ground in the
countries where we operate; and the
diminished role of USAID and in-
creased role of other U.S. government
agencies in development work.
Participants agreed on the importance
of redoubling efforts that enable the In-
terAction community speak with one
voice using common talking points
and positions when engaging with
other participants in matters related to
humanitarian relief and development.
The CEOs noted that increased public
interest in global poverty brings new
opportunities to encourage effective
policy-making in Washington D.C.
Thursday, May 8:
NGO Governance Session II:
Effective Governance and
Leadership
Board members and CEOs from Inter-
Action member organizations discussed
the challenges organizations face in de-
veloping an effective board of directors
and to make participation on the board
a valuable experience for both the board
members and the organization.
Participants discussed a number of
related topics including: the essential
elements of a successful partnership
between a CEO and a board of di-
rectors; communication between the
staff and the board and among board
members; the frequency of meetings;
continued on next page
13

continued from previous page
organizing effective meetings; agenda
setting; finding new board members;
fostering effective interactions among
all stakeholders; and the role of the
board in fundraising and resource
development. Member organization
board members also expressed an in-
terest in follow-on activities within the
InterAction environment.
Thursday, May 8:
InterAction Member Meeting
The annual meeting of CEOs from
member organizations began with a re-
view of InterAction activities presented
by Sam Worthington. Steve Moseley,
Chair of the Audit Committee, present-
ed the audit and a financial overview.
Julius Coles, on behalf of the Member-
ship Committee, welcomed the 19 new
InterAction members that had joined
in the previous 12 months.
The participants re-elected Jo Luck
of Heifer International and Richard
Stearns of World Vision to new three-
year terms on the InterAction board,
and elected the following new, first-
term board members:
• Mary Ellen McNish, General Sec-
retary, American Friends Service
Committee;
• Emily Untermeyer, Executive Di-
14 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
rector and President, Amigos de las
Americas;
• Hugh Parmer, President, American
Refugee Committee; and
• Carter Roberts, President and CEO,
World Wildlife Fund.
The members discussed a draft pro-
posal to modify the membership dues
structure in order to ensure that dues
adjustments are evenly spaced. A plan
should be completed in 2008 and will
take into consideration the diverse
range of views presented by members,
who shared thoughts for and against
the proposed model.
Sam Worthington spoke more broadly
to members about his vision to ensure
InterAction is present at all gatherings
where development and humanitarian
work is being discussed. While being
careful not to become “all to everyone”,
he also mentioned how InterAction
must continue to strategically plan to be
at the nexus of thought and action, and
emphatically speak with one voice.
Friday, May 9:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foun-
dation Leadership Meeting
with InterAction Member CEOs
Mark Suzman, Director of Policy and
Advocacy of the Global Development
Program, and Michael Madnick, Dep-
uty Director of External Relations for
the Global Health Program, joined Sam
Worthington for a presentation about
the history, evolution and work of the
Gates Foundation. Mr. Suzman and
Mr. Madnick shared the mission and
interests of the foundation’s programs
in agriculture, financial services for the
poor, global libraries, priority diseases
and conditions, breakthrough science
and other initiatives. They discussed the
foundation’s current expansion and the
internal challenges they have faced in
growing quickly in a very short time.
They welcomed advice and comments
from more than 40 CEOs and other se-
nior staff, and responded to questions
related to the foundation’s plans for
involvement with Latin America, their
thoughts about supporting more or-
ganizations that deal with individuals
living with disabilities, and the founda-
tion’s role in supporting disaster relief.
Friday, May 9:
U.S. Agency for Development
and US Foreign Assistance
Leadership Meeting with Inter-
Action Member CEOs
Jim Kunder, Acting Deputy Adminis-
trator of USAID and Dirk Dijkerman,
the COO of the Director of US Foreign
Assistance engaged in a wide-ranging
and lively conversation with over 30
InterAction member CEOs. The ses-
sion was chaired by Steve Moseley
and explored in depth the current is-
sues that are shaping the partnership
between InterAction members and
USAID. The meeting was off the re-
cord and reflected the open lines of
communication and ongoing dialogue
with the leadership of both USAID and
the Office of the Director of U.S. For-
eign Assistance.
Humanitarian Policy and Practice Committee
Members: Discussion of Challenges and Trends in
the Humanitarian Response Sector
By Jillian Robbins, Senior Program Associate, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction
T
he Humanitarian Policy and
Practice Committee (HPPC)
heard from government of-
ficials and community mem-
bers at its business meeting held during
the InterAction Forum. Michael Hess,
Assistant Administrator of the USAID
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and
Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/
DCHA), spoke on USAID’s continued
engagement on civil military affairs.
The agency’s civil-military policy will
be rolled out shortly and will include
guidelines for USAID Mission Direc-
tors on engagement and coordination
with military programs.
Civilian agency staffing for regional
commands is also increasing: AFRI-
COM (the U.S. military’s new com-
bined command for Africa) will have
five USAID staff members once fully
staffed, and USAID is working with
the U.S. military’s Southern Com-
mand to increase civilian agency staff
to work on its non-military activities.
In light of the recent food crisis, Hess
expressed the DCHA’s concern over
the “new face of hunger,” namely the
urban poor, who have been hit par-
ticularly hard by rising food prices and
food scarcity, and are more difficult to
reach with food assistance.
Sam Witten, Acting Assistant Secre-
tary of State for the Bureau of Popula-
tion, Migration and Refugees (PRM),
discussed some of the bureau’s priori-
ties for the upcoming year, noting the
challenges in planning global programs
without knowing the full budget that
will be made available for program-
ming. Witten highlighted PRM’s re-
sponse to the Iraqi displacement crisis
in terms of assistance through UNHCR
and through resettlement processing,
and PRM’s plans for robust resettle-
ment programs for Bhutanese refugees
from Nepal. During the discussion, both
Hess and Witten commented on their
bureaus’ focus on increasing staffing
levels/surge capacity and improving
strategic communication. Hess added
additional priorities of institutionaliz-
ing policy on internally displaced per-
sons throughout USAID and focusing
on staff care issues through a DCHA
task force. Witten added that PRM
recognizes its programs often become
multi-year programs, and produces
a consequent need to consider future
years when programming.
InterAction’s CEO and President Sam
Worthington reflected on his recent
visit to Khartoum and Darfur, recog-
nizing the contributions made by secu-
rity staff in helping programs to remain
operational in the most difficult of
conditions. He raised a number of ar-
eas in which InterAction is working to
maintain humanitarian space in terms
of USAID’s proposed Partner Vetting
System and the blurring of political
and humanitarian objectives in U.S.
foreign policy and programming. He
welcomed ongoing collaboration with
the United Nations through the Inter-
Agency Standing Committee, which
recently voted to include additional
representation from the NGO com-
munity, and recognized the challenges
ahead and the good work already be-
ing done by InterAction members in
response to Cyclone Nargis in Burma
and the food crisis.
The HPPC welcomed Mary Pack,
Vice President for Domestic and In-
ternational Affairs for International
Medical Corps, as HPPC Co-Chair
(DC), succeeding Nan Buzard of the
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
American Red Cross. Mary joined
outgoing HPPC New York Co-Chair,
Sue Dwyer, Deputy Vice-President for
Programs at the International Rescue
Committee, in thanking Nan on be-
half of InterAction staff and the HPPC
members for her service. Dwyer will
be succeeded by Dominic MacSor-
ley, Operations Director for Concern
Worldwide (U.S.) as HPPC’s New
York Co-chair, as determined in elec-
tions following the Forum.
The co-chairs gave a brief overview of
the HPPC activities over the past year
and welcomed new InterAction staff
members Ray Lynch (Senior Program
Manager for Protection and Refugee
Affairs), Julie Montgomery (Proj-
ect Coordinator for the IASC Gender
Equality E-Learning Initiative), Josh
Kearns (Senior Program Associate for
Security), Leah Berry (Program Asso-
ciate for Humanitarian Partnerships),
and Dr. Gregory Pappas (Coordinator
for Pandemic Contingency Planning,
who will begin July 1, 2008).
The Committee heard from the co-
chairs of the working groups on hu-
manitarian partnerships, civil-military
relations, staff care, and preventing
sexual exploitation and abuse. It also
heard updates from the rapid market
assessment toolkit pilot in Kenya, and
from Jonathan Potter, Executive Direc-
tor for People in Aid, who reviewed his
organization’s recent research on hu-
man resource management within aid
organizations.
Interested in placing a
job announcement or
advertisement?
Email publications@interaction.org today!
15
 Gala Banquet: Recognizing Champions and
Remembering Fallen Colleagues
By Nia Davis, Consultant, InterAction
T
he 2008 Honoring Champions
Gala Banquet was a mixture of
remembrance, celebration and
recognition of leaders in the
field of humanitarian work. Members
and guests gathered to pay tribute to
fallen colleagues, as well as honor those
who continue to work on behalf of those
in need around the world. Andrea Ko-
ppel, Director of Communications for
M&R Strategic Services and a former
CNN correspondent, emceed the event.
16 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
The evening began with the Award for
Excellence in International Report-
ing given to international journalist,
Femi Oke for her superior coverage
of events in Africa for CNN. Oke
traveled around the continent cap-
turing the lives of Africa’s citizens
both personally and politically. She
thanked the audience for the award,
saying that it “proves we don’t just
care about Africa, but the stories that
come from it.”
After honoring Oke, the mood in the
hall turned somber, as a new InterAc-
tion memorial was unveiled display-
ing the names of 105 humanitarian aid
workers who lost their lives between
January 2006 and March 2008. Names
of those who lost their lives in the line
of duty were read aloud.
Following this reflection, guests enjoyed
African dancers from the Coyaba Dance
Theater and a one-woman performance
by Tony Award-winning playwright/per-
former Sarah Jones. Rock superstar and
ONE campaign spokesperson Bono of-
fered remarks via video, noting that Inter-
Action members were “putting forward
what is really best about America.”
Other awards presented during the
evening honored achievements in se-
curity, women’s rights and leadership.
Bob McPherson, director of the CARE
Security Unit, was recognized with
the Security Advisory Distinguished
Achievement Award for his work with
organizing and setting up security op-
erations and standardizing security
procedures for CARE.
Suad Saleh, an advocate for women’s
reproductive health and rights, re-
ceived the InterAction Humanitarian
Award for her work in securing rights
for women in Yemen. She has spent
more than 40 years as a spokesperson
for maternal health and reproductive
rights, pioneering efforts to introduce
midwives as skilled technicians during
the childbirth process in order to com-
bat high rates of maternal and infant
deaths during childbirth.
Nancy Aossey, President and CEO of
the International Medical Corps, was
named the first recipient of the Julia
Vadala Taft Leadership Award, in hon-
or of InterAction’s former president/
CEO who served 1994-1997 and later
returned in 2006 as interim president.
The Outstanding Leadership Award
was first given to Julia Taft during last
year’s Forum and Aossey said that it
was a great honor to receive an award
that was given to a woman whose
“energy and wisdom made her a larg-
er than life figure” and who “never,
never flinched from speaking the truth
to power.”
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 17
Overcoming Challenges to Civilian Protection
Programming in Humanitarian Response
By Heather Powell, Senior Program Associate, Protection & Refugee Affairs, InterAction
2008 Outstanding Winner: Hope, India, by Diana
Barnett, documentary photographer: FACES OF TOMORROW
O
ver the past 15 years there
has been a growing recog-
nition of the responsibility
to understand the nature of
risks that affect civilians in conflict
situations and to consider how to better
safeguard those at risk. Developments
during the 1990s and early 2000s
changed perceptions of the effects of
war on civilians, prompting humani-
tarian workers and governments to
increasingly consider the extent of or-
ganizational responsibility to provide
more than just relief. There has been a
shift away from a preoccupation with
working diplomatically with national
actors to an increasing emphasis on
the responsibility of international ac-
tors and non-specialist agencies to do
protection programming at the com-
18 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
munity level. The move
toward an increased focus
on protection has resulted
in an overall shift in under-
standing of how protection
is perceived and how it is
offered in humanitarian
programming.
This session, moderated
by Anne Goddard, Presi-
dent and CEO of Christian
Children’s Fund, explored
current protection practic-
es, challenges, limitations,
and the status of protection
programming within the
humanitarian community.
Sorcha O’Callaghan, Re-
search Fellow for the Hu-
manitarian Policy Group
of the Overseas Develop-
ment Institute, outlined the
evolution of the protection
approach in programming
and the changing prioriti-
zation of protection, high-
lighting key challenges
and questions facing the humanitarian
community today.
Margaret Green-Rauenhorst, Senior
Technical Advisor for Protection and
Rule of Law in the Governance and
Rights Unit of the International Rescue
Committee, offered specific examples
of how her organization defines and
does protection programming, identi-
fying elements of programming that
are important to consider when de-
signing and implementing programs.
The concept of protection is about
seeking to assure the safety of civil-
ians from acute harm through pro-
gramming. The most commonly ac-
cepted definition of protection, the
International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) definition, also used by
the International Rescue Committee
(IRC), describes protection as, “all ac-
tivities aimed at obtaining full respect
for the rights of the individual in ac-
cordance with the letter and spirit of
the relevant bodies of law (i.e., human
rights law, international humanitarian
law and refugee law).”
IRC tries to ensure that their programs
are accountable to beneficiaries, that
individuals understand their rights and
how to claim them, that beneficiaries
have meaningful access to protection
services and participate in program-
ming development and implementa-
tion, and that the organization helps
to strengthen state capacity. Protec-
tion programming requires specialist
knowledge, capacity, and skills.
One of the greatest challenges is to
ensure that protection programming
standards are understood and utilized
throughout the organization, whether
the organization offers protection
through mainstreaming or stand-alone
protection programming. Effective pro-
tection programming requires a core
institutional and managerial commit-
ment, a buy-in from human resources
to develop organizational skills and
understanding, and additional resourc-
es for program support.
Particular needs are a simple under-
standing of protection, institutional
backing, analysis of protection risks,
an organizational system to respond to
human rights abuses witnessed in the
field, and training and capacity build-
ing.. InterAction’s Protection Working
Group was established to assist mem-
ber organizations to develop the inter-
nal capacity to do protection program-
ming and to face challenges raised in
this session.
The Path to Sustainable Development:
Disaster Risk Reduction
By Jillian Robbins, Senior Program Associate, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction
I
ncreasingly, donors and practitio-
ners are recognizing disaster risk
reduction measures as cost-effective
tools in dealing with the increase
in natural disasters and the effects of
climate change. Without scaling up
disaster risk reduction efforts and im-
proving response mechanisms, natural
disasters will continue to impact most
severely the most vulnerable people
throughout the world and will delay
progress in meeting the Millennium
Development Goals.
Madeleen Helmer, Head of the Red
Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre,
discussed the Centre’s work with na-
tional Red Cross/Red Crescent soci-
eties at the community level to raise
awareness about changing risks and to
identify ways to prepare for them. She
advocated integrating disaster risk re-
duction activities into all development
work and illustrated how small inter-
ventions building on existing infra-
structure, such as adding five feet onto
a dam in an area with increasing flood
risk, could prevent disaster.
Paul Majarowitz, Mercy Corps’ Di-
rector for Civil Society, and Adrian
Cullis, Team Leader for the Food
Security Unit in the Ethiopia Coun-
try Office of Save the Children U.S.,
presented examples of their organiza-
tions’ disaster risk reduction programs.
Mr. Majarowitz demonstrated how a
small-scale risk reduction project un-
dertaken in the Padang region of West
Sumatra had a big impact by compar-
ing a community’s reaction to a disas-
ter before and after their participatory
disaster risk reduction activities were
undertaken. The community reported
feeling better prepared when the earth-
quake hit following the trainings, and
this was reflected in the minimal dis-
ruption to both schools and businesses
as compared to the disruptions follow-
ing previous incidents.
Mr. Cullis discussed one aspect of
Save the Children’s livestock-based
interventions working with pastoral-
ist communities in Ethiopia during the
drought cycle on commercial destock-
ing of livestock at the onset of drought.
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
In times of drought, adequate range-
land and water for animals are reduced,
and this often leads to starvation and
the death of large parts of pastoralist
herds, undermining livelihoods and
food security for children who receive
much of their nutrition from animal
milk. Although infrastructure to trans-
port animals remains a challenge, the
connections made between traders and
pastoralists through this program have
persisted and pastoralists have been
able to sell their animals to traders at
the onset of the drought to receive cash
that allows them to mitigate effects of
rising food prices and food scarcity.
Mallika Rukminie Samaranayake,
Chairperson of the Institute for Par-
ticipatory Interaction in Development
(IPID) in Sri Lanka, reminded the au-
dience that soliciting input from com-
munities when evaluating projects is
essential. Mrs. Samaranayake gave an
overview of a study funded by Oxfam
America on the participatory evalu-
ations conducted in Sri Lanka with
communities who received assistance
following the 2004 tsunami. Rooted in
a rights-based approach, participants
rated trainings they received from all
organizations in their communities and
produced suggestions and recommen-
dations for future programs.
The panel presentations and the dis-
cussion highlighted: the effectiveness
of disaster risk reduction programs in
reducing vulnerability in the communi-
ties where NGOs work; how mitigating
against the effects of disasters can help
reduce poverty by supporting liveli-
hoods and faster recovery; and the im-
portance of integrating or mainstream-
ing disaster risk reduction activities
into development programming and/or
climate change efforts to foster sustain-
able disaster risk reduction.
19
Climate Change and Development Intersections:
New Challenges for Reducing Poverty and
Mitigating Disasters
By Kelly Rand, Policy Coordinator, International Affairs, National Wildlife Federation

C
limate change impacts are
worsening the hazards our
world faces and creating new
ones. The poor – those with
the fewest resources and most vulner-
ability – will be hit hardest. Mitigation
of emissions is key to lessening these
impacts and adaptation for decreasing
vulnerability and better meeting the
needs of those we serve. The UN De-
velopment Program found that in order
to adequately address this problem, the
need for additional assistance is vast.
The 2008 Forum session on climate
change and development, moderated
by M. Lyndon Haviland, Board mem-
ber of PACT and President of Lyndon
Haviland & Company LLC, explored
the cross cutting nature of climate
change and how organizations are start-
ing to deal with the impending needs.
Dr. James Jarvie and Ruth Allen, both
with Mercy Corps, discussed their or-
ganization’s impetus to start addressing
climate change within its programming.
Speaking to why the NGO community
should care about climate change, they
specifically noted the threat climate
change impacts pose, not only to pres-
ent and future programming, but to the
progress that has already been achieved.
Citing climate change impacts such as
sea level rise, Dr. Jarvie and Ms. Allen
also talked about climate change as a
threat multiplier, focusing in particular
on its potentially destabilizing effects
on fragile states.
threat to poverty reduction and stressed
that any money spent on climate change
needs to be new additional money. He
also highlighted the importance of tar-
geting the money to the most vulnera-
ble people and not necessarily the most
vulnerable countries.
Panelist Vicky Rateau of Oxfam
America addressed the U.S. national
policy environment. She focused on
the opportunity offered by legislation
now being considered in the U.S. Sen-
ate: legislation that is calling for cuts
in emissions. She acknowledged that
some consider emissions cuts an odd
focus for a development group, but
said Oxfam sees the need for both mit-
igation and adaptation. She explained
how the legislation could provide be-
tween one and two billion dollars per
year for the adaptation needs of devel-
oping countries. She also stressed that
the climate issue is one that is not just
a debate for green groups: it is an issue
that touches everyone and therefore
needs to be a much larger movement.
Judy Oglethorpe with the World Wild-
life Fund (WWF) discussed adaptation
programming and the ways in which
many of WWF’s programs throughout
the years have been doubly beneficial
to both people and wildlife. She talked
of the shifts in nature, noting that some
species will move to higher ground and
closer to the poles, while those already
on high ground will face extinction.
WWF is partnering with people and
communities in its effort to find more
sustainable ways to live and to help
protect the rights of local people.
Guided by Ms. Haviland, much of the
discussion after the initial presenta-
tions centered on ensuring that monies
intended to help vulnerable commu-
nities actually go to those communi-
ties, rather than being siphoned off
by corrupt governments or going to
initiatives with no real impact. While
agreeing with these concerns, Dr. Biot
cautioned not to let the best be the en-
emy of the good. Dr. Jarvie agreed,
stating that when you work with local
governments you know who the play-
ers are and what it will take to make
things work.

Dr. Ir Yvan Biot offered a perspective

from another developed country. Dr.
Biot is the Senior Policy Advisor of
Climate Change, Policy and Research
Division with the UK Department for
International Development. He talked
about how climate change is a major

20 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

Mainstreaming Education
in Humanitarian Response
By Leah Berry, Program Associate, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction

W
hile humanitarian orga-
nizations are best known
for their life saving ser-
vices such as providing
food, water and medical care to those
affected by conflict or natural disaster,
this is in fact only one element of hu-
manitarian assistance. As Gerry Mar-
tone of the International Rescue Com-
mittee noted, in working to save and
improve the lives of individuals affect-
ed by conflict, most humanitarian assis-
tance organizations provide myriad oth-
er services that, while not “life saving,”
are seen by many as just as important
both in the short and long term.
This was one of the key messages from
the Forum’s panel on the critical role of
education in humanitarian emergencies.
The panel, comprised of representatives
from the NGO community and the U.S.
government, included in-depth discus-
sions on the vital and strategic linkages
between education and other humanitar-
ian response activities. It also highlight-
ed programs and financing mechanisms
aimed at expanding education programs
in emergency situations.
Allison Anderson, Director of the In-
ter-Agency Network on Education in
Emergencies (INEE), began the dis-
cussion by describing INEE’s projects,
including the network’s manual that
lays out a set of minimum standards on
education in emergencies. Established
in 2000, the INEE seeks to ensure that
education programs are included in all
humanitarian responses and that these
programs adhere to the INEE Mini-
mum Standards. While mainstream-
ing education into all humanitarian
responses can be challenging, particu-
larly in a complex emergency, each of
the four panelists noted strategies that
their respective organization has used
2008 Outstanding Winner: A Chance to
Learn: Time for Class in a Refugee Camp, by Gerald
Martone, International Rescue Committee
to successfully support education ser-
vices for children and youth affected
by conflict and other crises.
Susan Braden, Save the Children’s Ad-
vocacy Director for Children in Emer-
gency and Crisis, described her organi-
zation’s numerous education programs,
including basic education, early child-
hood development and youth develop-
ment. One of Save the Children’s key
programs is the Safe Spaces Initiative,
which provides a safe place to hold ed-
ucation services. These programs are
often informal to begin with, but may
later transition into formal schooling
with structured lessons and classes.
Christian Children’s Fund (CCF),
represented in the panel by Keri Mc-
Geehan, supports a similar program
of Child Centered Spaces (CCS) that
provides education, health, nutrition,
recreation and psychosocial support
for children and communities affected
by conflict or disaster. Like Save the
Children, CCF’s emergency response
programs often develop into long-
term, sustainable, community-based
education services such as schools or
informal adult education centers.
Informal education, while not tradition-
ally given priority as a form of educa-
tion support, has been shown to be a
valuable method of education immedi-
ately following a crisis and in the long
term. As Yolande Miller-Grandvaux
from the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) noted, informal
education opportunities can be a valu-
able tool in mitigating fragility in states.
Organizations and individuals working
in humanitarian assistance must there-
fore think creatively when developing
and implementing education programs
in conflict and post-conflict situations.
As a follow-up to the Forum panel, In-
terAction will host a workshop on the
INEE Minimum Standards. Although
the date has not been set, the workshop
will most likely be held in July or Au-
gust at InterAction. Details will be sent
out to InterAction members when they
are finalized.

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 21

Foreign Assistance Reform:
A Cabinet-Level Future for U.S. Foreign Aid?
By Margaret Christoph, Senior Administrative Associate for External Relations, InterAction
F
ollowing the widely attended
Forum luncheon entitled The Fu-
ture of Foreign Aid, InterAction
hosted a related panel discussion
on what structural changes would en-
sure a more effective U.S. foreign as-
sistance policy and the political strategy
necessary to achieve those changes.
The panelists included Paul O’Brien,
Oxfam America’s Director of Aid Effec-
tiveness, independent consultant Tony
Gambino and Todd Shelton, InterAc-
tion’s Senior Director of Public Policy.
Mr. O’Brien sees three levels of nec-
essary solutions. His first concern
is how best to generate political and
public support for foreign assistance
reform. He believes the NGO commu-
nity needs to bring the discussion to a
broader constituency. Then a decision
needs to be made on which reforms are
the right ones. For example, reforms
could include creating a national devel-
opment strategy, reauthorizing the For-
eign Assistance Act, and establishing
a cabinet-level Department of Global
Development. Finally, once reforms
22 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
are promised, results must be deliv-
ered. Sustained political support is vital
to securing meaningful reform, and aid
professionals on the ground from both
USAID and NGOs will need to be in-
volved to ensure effective and sustain-
able development policy is the result.
All of the panelists expressed concern
that the current administration’s policy
blurs the distinction between longer-
term development activities and short-
term political priorities. Investments in
longer-term development, they argue,
will lessen future threats to national
security. Mr. O’Brien stressed the need
for clearer guidelines: the length and
complexity of the current Foreign As-
sistance Act greatly hinders USAID,
implementers in the field, and Con-
gress in its oversight role.
Mr. Gambino outlined some issues
that a new department should address.
It should be people-focused, promot-
ing human wellbeing, participatory
democracy and broad-based growth.
It should confront global issues, such
as HIV, avian flu, climate change and
malaria. And it should work to accom-
plish the Millennium Development
Goals. Additionally, each of its activi-
ties should have guiding principles on
gender equality. He explained that the
new department would ensure that the
development community would have a
voice at high-level meetings, in addi-
tion to unifying the current fragmenta-
tion of development funding.
Mr. Gambino suggested four principles
on how the new department should be
structured. First, it should cover both
development and humanitarian assis-
tance programs. Second, political or
security programs should remain with
the State Department. Third, programs
with a development aspect should be
led and coordinated by the new de-
partment. Fourth, the majority of U.S.
assistance should flow through civil-
ian-led agencies, and most of those
resources should be administrated by
a professional aid agency, i.e. a new
cabinet department for development.
Mr. O’Brien pointed out that much of
the debate will be shaped by what he
calls “the politics of the possible.” Sim-
ilarly, Mr. Gambino acknowledged that
the scope of the eventual changes will
depend on the political will and space
to achieve them. But he stressed that
striking the right balance between what
programs and offices will make up a
new department and those that remain
in other agencies is long overdue and
urgently needed to ensure that assis-
tance gets to where it is most needed.
Mr. Shelton pointed out that we need
to start by educating ourselves and our
own community on the various propos-
als for reform and why they are impor-
tant to the work InterAction members
do. He also noted that reformers may
have more allies than they realize. For
example, retired and current members
of the United States military have pub-
licly recognized the need for a robust
international development program
and a civilian agency with adequate ca-
pacity to implement it and coordinate
operations with other U.S. agencies in-
cluding the Department of Defense
Comments and questions from the
audience covered a range of issues
including project-specific aid versus
budgetary support, maintaining the in-
dependence of the Peace Corps in any
new structural reforms, and the possi-
bility of reviving a development edu-
cation strategy in the U.S.
The Health Nexus:
Integration of Health Initiatives
By Sheridan Jones-McCrae, Advisor, Strategic Impact Team, InterAction
D
espite the complex nature of
health, it is common to see
programs delivered by dis-
crete specialties that target
a narrow set of conditions. The alter-
native approach of integrating broad
health interventions with work in other
sectors can pose coordination, funding
and evaluation challenges. In a session
moderated by Michael Zeilinger, Chief
of USAID’s Bureau for Global Health
Nutrition Division, panelists provided
valuable insights into this complex di-
lemma.
Focusing on the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
Janet Fleischman, Senior Consultant
with CARE and co-author of The
Future of PEPFAR: Comprehensive
Approaches, Sustainable Results, ob-
served that a person’s vulnerability to
HIV is not only related to individual
behavior but is also driven by their
broader socioeconomic context. She
emphasized that improved outcomes
will only occur by funding programs
that target “drivers” such as poverty,
gender inequality and social marginal-
ization. Health-related programs need
to involve players from other sectors
as well to integrate, for example, HIV
with economic and food security and
support community engagement.
Kathryn Mahoney, Project Officer for
The Hunger Project’s Africa Depart-
ment, illustrated a salient example of
a multipronged approach used to cata-
lyze development in rural communi-
ties. The “epicenter strategy” instigates
programs in health, education, food se-
curity and economic development by
integrating services into a single com-
munity-built location, managed by a
gender-balanced local committee (i.e.
health clinic, food bank, rural bank,
meeting hall, food processing unit and
pre-school). She noted that strategy re- • Gender equality is at the heart of
lied on unrestricted funding from inde- long-term sustainability. As Kathryn
pendent sources. Mahoney noted, “We see communi-
ties raising their issues and solving
Adding another dimension to the their problems, but if they didn’t
dialogue, Meriwether Beatty, Repro- have women’s voices, the programs
ductive Health for Refugees (RHR) would not be sustainable.”
Project Director for the JSI Research • Measuring the impact of multi-fac-
and Training Institute discussed the eted programs raises a number of
integration of health initiatives in a challenges. Addressing these chal-
humanitarian relief context, highlight- lenges requires strong research and
ing challenges in expanding the ser- monitoring efforts to identify effec-
vices prioritized during the onset of an tive models that can be replicated
emergency. The MISP (Minimal Initial and taken to scale.
Services Package) focuses early atten-
tion on essential reproductive health
actions such as reducing HIV trans-
mission, preventing and responding to
sexual violence, and ensuring access
to emergency obstetric care. Echo-
ing other panelists, Meriwether noted
that addressing these elements requires
cross-cutting efforts with other sectors
such as food security, shelter, and wa-
ter and sanitation.
The session also raised a number of
other important points including:
• The current funding structure,
which tends to impede inter-sectoral
collaboration, needs to be revised to
encourage “wrap-around program-
ming” – that is, programming that
creates linkages between social and
economic development programs
including child and maternal health,
family planning, education, food
aid, legal reform, microfinance and
gender equality.
• Community ownership, created
through early and in-depth commu-
nity engagement and mobilization,
is essential for sustained impact,
as is establishing long-term part-
nerships between communities and
local government structures for sus-
tainable delivery.
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 23
Making a Difference: Confidence and
Uncertainty in Demonstrating Impact
By Rachna Sundararajan
W
ith increasing demand
for demonstration of pro-
gram impacts, program
evaluation is receiving
more attention. Moderated by Juan
Carlos Alegre, Director of Monitoring
and Evaluation at Save the Children
Federation, Inc., the session shed light
on current evaluation perspectives and
approaches of organizations such as
Oxfam America and Mercy Corps In-
ternational within the realm of their
humanitarian response, transition, de-
velopment and advocacy initiatives. It
also produced some candid and infor-
Unexpected
mal discussions on how to best evalu-
ate programs and showcase real pro-
gram effectiveness.
Oxfam America’s Monitoring and
Evaluation Advisor, Adinda Van
Hemelrijck, and Research and Evalua-
tion Advisor, Allison Davis, presented
their organization’s evaluation ap-
proach. Their definition of program
impact consists of, “A significant and
sustainable change in power relations
enabling people to assert their rights,
and to gain access to and control over
knowledge, resources, services and de-
cision-making necessary to live in dig-
nity.” Oxfam America’s model, which
was developed over 10-15 years, is
complex, working with multilevel ac-
tors so that impacts reflect at local, na-
tional, regional and global levels.
Joe Dickman, Senior Program Officer
of Design, Monitoring and Evaluation
at Mercy Corps International, pro-
vided further insights from a sustain-
ability field study that documented the
lasting effects of a community mobi-
lization program by going back into
communities and studying sustained
behavior change and project sustain-
ability two to four years after the pro-
24 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
gramming had ended. The evaluation
showed that to successfully measure
lasting results in an ex-post study,
flexible and creative evaluation meth-
ods focused on measuring outcomes
and impacts were key.
Bolton Box
Positive Negative
Good Bad
Expected Expected Expected
Things Things
Good Bad
Unexpected Unexpected
Things Things
The Bolton Box theory, which looks at
expected and unexpected positive and
negative outcomes, was explained by
Les Roberts, Associate Clinical Profes-
sor of Population and Family Health at
Columbia University. He emphasized
that because unexpected bad outcomes
are often very large, we need to be
pretty darn sure that we are producing
the positive effects that we expect in
order to justify the continuation of a
program. The presentation concluded
with examples from health programs
from a number of African countries.
Capacity building of local coalitions to
own development programs and active
participation of these bodies at all lev-
els from the point of program design
was the recurrent finding to ensure
making a difference.
Empowering local groups to self-mon-
itor and evaluate, although a daunting
task, provides not only an opportunity
for participants to understand, question
and improve their own development
agenda but also provides a platform for
community leaders and key groups to
hone their skills to measure impacts.
Participation also increases the role of
communities to seek out and dictate the
kind of impacts they wish to see within
their communities, further underlining
Dickman’s point: “Not important is
what the donors want to see but what
[participants] want.”
While participation and inclusion are
the required ingredients for successful
and effective monitoring and evaluation
(M&E), challenges remain. The floor
was opened to discuss potential ways to
mitigate these challenges. The need for
longer periods for program design was
reiterated, as was using comprehensive
baseline studies, as an important starting
point against which to measure progress.
These changes would allow for more
time to elicit buy-in from different ac-
tors within the community. The distinc-
tion between output indicators vis-à-vis
the actual impact of a program leading to
change is necessary. Budget constraints
significantly determine the success and
efficacy of evaluations. While USAID’s
rule of thumb suggests 3-10 percent of a
program budget be dedicated to M&E,
these costs often get cut from budget
during negotiations with donors. NGOs
need to advocate for funding impact as-
sessments as a good and essential part of
programming to donors.
Inherent prejudices do not change in
the one year a program is designed
and implemented, making evaluating
a fundamental change nearly impos-
sible. Keeping in mind the constantly
evolving nature of development pro-
grams, research and new studies need
to continuously feed into current pro-
gram strategies and focus on broader
social changes.
Staff Care Workshop
By Linda Poteat, Director, Disaster Response, InterAction
H
umanitarian workers are oper-
ating under increasingly diffi-
cult conditions in places such
as Darfur and Afghanistan. The
humanitarian community has recognized
that maintaining retention rates for staff
posted in highly insecure and/or remote
areas is particularly challenging, and that
more attention needs to be directed at the
stressors faced by staff at the front lines
of humanitarian response.
The Staff Care Workshop was facilitated
by Sharon Forrence from Helper’s Fire,
an organization which focuses on im-
proving the provision of care and sup-
port for humanitarian workers. Jonathan
Potter, Executive Director for People in
Aid, presented the work his organiza-
tion has done on best practices in hu-
man resources focused on humanitarian
response. People in Aid has produced a
“Code of Good Practice in the Manage-
ment and Support of Aid Personnel,” as
well as several studies on topics such as
staff turnover and behavior for effective
performance, and has hosted a number
of meetings around the world to promote
these issues. Jonathan also reported on
the recent Staff Care Simulation exercise
conducted by the Emergency Personnel
Network in Nairobi, Kenya, in March
2008, noting that the exercise was well-
received both by human resources and
program staff who participated.
Linda Poteat, Director for Disaster Re-
sponse at InterAction, presented high-
lights of the assessment report, “NGO
Staff Well-Being in the Darfur Region
of Sudan and Eastern Chad,” carried out
by the Headington Institute for InterAc-
tion at the request of USAID’s Office of
Foreign Disaster Assistance. Though the
assessment was conducted in Darfur and
eastern Chad, most of the conclusions
cut across the humanitarian community
regardless of location: weakness of pol-
icies and procedures, lack of precision in
job descriptions, the difficulties of man-
agers under stress managing staff under
stress, etc. InterAction has started a Staff
Care Working Group that meets in con-
junction with Helper’s Fire on the first
Wednesday of each month from 10:30
a.m. to 12 p.m. Wider participation is
encouraged, and InterAction intends to
increase its focus on staff care issues in
the near future and welcomes the input
of its membership.
Vice President of Human Resources
for CARE USA Nanette Cantrell pre-
sented the factors that led CARE to
make the decision to hire a full-time
staff member to focus on staff wellness
– a decision that was validated imme-
diately after the person was hired. Her
services have been constantly in de-
mand since her first day in the office,
both in the field and at headquarters.
Karma Lively, Acting Deputy Director
of USAID’s Office of Transition Initia-
tives and co-chair of USAID/DCHA’s
Staff Care Working Group, briefed the
audience on the origins of the group and
its activities to date. USAID has recog-
nized for a while that its staff is working
in difficult conditions in many places in
the world, but the loss of two USAID
staff in Khartoum on January 1, 2008,
sparked more focused discussions on
staff care, family liaisons, differing ser-
vices for different hiring types, and oth-
er issues. The USAID/DCHA Staff Care
Working Group meets every two weeks
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
and has recently completed the analysis
of an anonymous staff survey on work-
place stressors such as communications,
management, etc. Many of the findings
were consistent with the findings of the
Darfur and eastern Chad assessment,
and USAID is looking at how to address
the issues that were raised. Members
of the USAID/DCHA Staff Wellness
Working Group also attend the Helper’s
Fire/InterAction Staff Care Working
Group, and USAID hopes to learn better
staff care practices along with the rest of
the humanitarian community.
Several members of the audience em-
phasized the importance of better ad-
dressing staff care practices, using ex-
amples from their own field experiences
to illustrate this point. One member sug-
gested that the InterAction membership
revisit the idea of incorporating the Peo-
ple in Aid Code of Good Practice into
the InterAction PVO Standards. There
was a discussion of whether it made
more sense to adopt existing guidelines
or whether it would be more useful to
undergo an interagency process within
the membership to develop InterAction
guidelines or minimum standards, uti-
lizing the existing guidelines as the ba-
sis for this process. This issue and others
will be discussed in upcoming Staff Care
Working Group meetings. Members can
get involved with the Staff Care Work-
ing Group by contacting Linda Poteat at
lpoteat@interaction.org.
25
Militarization of Foreign Aid?
By Jillian Robbins, Senior Program Associate, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction

T
he conflicts in Afghanistan
and Iraq and consequent tur-
moil have prompted the Bush
administration to instruct the
U.S. military to engage in activities
more traditionally the responsibility
of civilian agencies and NGOs. The
Pentagon is seeking authority and
funds to enable military commanders
elsewhere to undertake similar pro-
grams. Proponents of AFRICOM (the
U.S. military’s new combined com-
mand for Africa) envision it engaging
in humanitarian and development ac-
tivities. Meanwhile, Secretary of De-
fense Gates has called for more robust
funding for USAID; and the State De-
partment is trying to develop a surge
capacity to enable it to respond more
adequately to destabilization. Panelists
at the Forum session addressed these
issues while trying to answer the ques-
tion: has there been a militarization of
foreign aid?
Dr. Stewart Patrick, Senior Fellow
and Director for the Program on In-
ternational Institutions and Global
Governance at the Council on Foreign
Relations, spoke on the evolution and
implications of the expansion of the
Department of Defense (DoD) into
development and humanitarian ar-
eas, highlighting that DoD funding
has been steadily increasing to the
point where it now constitutes over
20 percent of U.S. foreign aid. The
military’s engagement in pre-conflict
or “Phase Zero” activities has arisen
from an urge to fill the gap left by un-
derfunded civilian agencies in unsta-
ble areas, rather than a desire to take
over these areas.
Ambassador John Herbst, the State
Department Coordinator for Recon-
struction and Stabilization (S/CRS),
gave an overview of his office’s plans
to ensure there are sufficient civil-
ian resources available to engage in
stabilization and reconstruction ac-
tivities. If full funding is available,
working under the authority of the
American ambassador, S/CRS would
be the coordinating mechanism for all
U.S. government civilian actors in a
country. He anticipates having three
groups of skilled civilians ready to
engage in unstable areas including
an Active Response Corps, a Standby
Response Corps and a Civilian Re-
serve Corps. The Active Response
Corps would consist of 250 members,
drawn mostly from the State Depart-
ment and USAID, who would under-
go several months of training and be
available for deployment within three
days. They would engage in ongoing
monitoring and analysis of fragile ar-
eas. The Standby Response Corps and
Civilian Reserve Corps would be de-
ployed in situations requiring support
beyond that available through the Ac-
tive Response Corps.
Colonel John Agoglia, Director of the
U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability
Operations Institute, applauded the ef-
forts of Ambassador Herbst in helping
S/CRS survive to reach a point where it
could be a viable coordinating mecha-
nism for U.S. activities in fragile states.
He endorsed the call for a coordinated
approach to address the gap in civil-
ian agency capacity in unstable areas
and commented that the mechanisms
in place now are ad hoc measures es-
tablished because of a lack of overall
strategy. He ended on a hopeful note,
remarking on that the work done over
the past few years to improve under-
standing of U.S. agencies’ capabilities
has led to increased respect and trust
between the different U.S. government
actors including members of the armed
forces, and the possibility that it will
lead to better coordination of policy in
the future.
The panelists agreed that the lines
between military and civilian agency
roles within the U.S. government have
been blurred by a lack of cohesive sta-
bilization policy, but did not see the
trend as irreversible. The larger debate
about U.S. foreign policy and its face
in the world will be a key issue as the
country prepares for a change in ad-
ministration.

26 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

Times They are A-Changin’: Agriculture is Back
By Laia Grino, Senior Research Associate, NGO Policy Research & Analysis, InterAction

A
t this year’s Forum, InterAc-
tion held its first workshop
on agriculture in many years
entitled New Visions of Ag-
riculture: Unleashing its Potential to
Reduce Global Poverty. The workshop
was moderated by Charles Uphaus, Se-
nior Foreign Assistance Policy Analyst
at the Bread for the World Institute, who
commented that for much of the time he
worked for the U.S. government, he felt
like a “voice crying in the wind” when
it came to agriculture. With the food
crisis, however, that has changed and
agriculture is back on the agenda.
At the workshop, the importance of
women farmers, the critical need to
boost agricultural productivity, and the
central role of agriculture in reducing
poverty emerged as major themes in
the speakers’ presentations.
Bank, noted that the food crisis may
have pushed 100 million people into
poverty over the past two years and that
it threatens to set back the fight against
poverty by seven years. Stressing the
need to avoid short-term responses that
could backfire in the long-run (such as
export bans), Ms. Ragasa said that boost-
ing the food supply is the key to solving
the crisis. Science and technology have
a key role to play in this area, but serious
under-investment in research and devel-
opment in the past means that a huge
investment is now required. While mo-
bilizing this investment will be difficult,
another challenge will be to ensure that
poor and women producers benefit from
any products developed. Others noted
that this will require devising technolo-
gies with these producers in mind and
recognizing that small farmers them-
selves have knowledge to contribute.
and by helping poor farmers increase
productivity you increase their income.
The Gates Foundation’s new agriculture
strategy (which was presented at the Fo-
rum) therefore focuses on small farmers,
meeting the needs of women, protecting
the environment, finding market op-
portunities, investing in innovation and
bringing successful projects to scale.
Ms. Karanja repeatedly emphasized the
need to work with farmers and com-
munities directly: “[The] largest reason
for failure in agriculture in Africa is
the neglect of the person who does the
farming. We have treated farming like
the manufacturing of the car.” Regard-
ing the food crisis, she also stressed that
“it is not the job of these farmers to feed
us.” Rather, the first priority is to meet
the food needs of farmers themselves so
they can then make their own choices –
including leaving agriculture.

Tererai Trent, Deputy Director for Plan- According to Ms. Karanja, stagnation in In response to our members’ interest,
ning, Monitoring & Evaluation at Heifer agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan InterAction is forming a new working
International, noted that “a woman with Africa helps explains the number of group on agriculture. Those interested
a hoe remains an accurate description people living in poverty and hunger in in joining the working group should
of nearly all who till the soil.” While that region. Agriculture, she said, is the contact Hilary Nalven at hnalven@in-
women farmers bear most of the burden route out of poverty for most of the poor teraction.org.
of providing food security for Africa,
too often agricultural interventions ig-
nore their needs. To help women realize
their full potential, she said, we must
enable them to find their own solutions,
but also, beyond that, empower them to
advocate for the policies that will serve
their interests. This was a point reiter-
ated by Mercy Karanja, Senior Program
Officer at the Agricultural Development
Division of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, who emphasized the need
to organize farmers and build their ca-
pacity to push for what is best for them.
We “need farmers to know what is their
right so they can fight for it,” she said.

In her presentation, Catherine Ragasa,

Coordinator of the Gender in Agricultur-
al Livelihoods Sourcebook at the World

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 27

Maximizing Online Collaboration in the Field
By Josh Kearns, Associate Security Coordinator, InterAction
I
n today’s increasingly dangerous
operating environment, how can hu-
manitarians use technology to keep
themselves safe and their programs
up and running? Seeking to answer this
question, the Maximizing Online Col-
laboration in the Field workshop featured
presentations by Lauren D’Amore from
the United States Department of State’s
Overseas Security Advisory Council
(OSAC), and Joe Donahue and Chuck
Conley from Information Management
and Mine Action Program (iMMAP).
Ms. D’Amore’s described how NGOs
can use OSAC’s online and other re-
sources to better assess security for
their field projects. OSAC is an office
of the State Department that provides
the U.S. private sector with overseas
security information. Its clients include
businesses, universities and NGOs.
OSAC’s 13 Washington, DC-based re-
gional and thematic coordinators are
2008 Outstanding Winner: Dawn Water Walk, by Jon Warren, World Vision
28 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
available for consultations and respond
to requests for information. They also
provide 24-hour emergency telephone
assistance. OSAC’s web site includes
regular updates, reports and a resource
library focused on security issues. On
the ground, OSAC country councils
provide a forum for liaison between the
U.S. government and American orga-
nizations working in-country. Country
councils generate threat assessments,
incident reporting and other useful secu-
rity tools for NGOs. Ms. D’Amore con-
cluded by encouraging NGOs (which
make up the fastest growing segment
of OSAC membership) to make full use
of the U.S. government’s resources. All
OSAC resources are free of charge.
Mr. Donahue addressed the utility of
various technology tools in relief and
development work. Voice over Internet
Protocol (VOIP) systems such as Skype,
which allow computer users to speak to
each other at little or no cost, have re-
cently proven valuable to NGOs with
access to high-speed Internet connec-
tions. Some NGOs have switched their
entire phone systems to VOIP at the
headquarters level. Similarly, Internet
chat tools such as Skype chat and Gmail
chat allow NGOs real-time communica-
tion for the cost of their Internet connec-
tion. These tools can be especially valu-
able for sending out up-to-the-minute
information during crises. However, Mr.
Donahue pointed out that NGOs often
operate in environments that lack high-
speed Internet, and even where it exists,
power failures can render computer-to-
computer communication obsolete.
Mr. Donahue and Mr. Conley then pre-
sented Operational Activity Security
Information Service (OASIS), a data-
base-driven program that can increase
security in the field by providing NGOs
with a “common operating picture” of
their environment. Information can be
displayed in map format for easy read-
ing, and comparative analysis func-
tions allow the user to tailor OASIS to
their particular programmatic needs.
According to Mr. Donahue, OASIS can
be deployed to the field at a fraction of
the cost of similar systems, making it
especially attractive to donors.
The humanitarian operating environ-
ment has changed over the past several
years, becoming increasingly violent and
unpredictable. At the same time, advanc-
es in Internet and other technology have
made communication – the cornerstone
of humanitarian security – faster and
more accessible than ever. As always,
the technology is two steps ahead of the
people who need to use it and the envi-
ronment they need to use it in: meaning
that humanitarians will need to continue
to combine modern communications
technology with more primitive means
to meet their security needs.
Pandemic Preparedness:
Seizing a Unique Moment to Bolster Readiness
By Elizabeth Bellardo, Program Manager, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction
L
eading health practitioners, jour-
nals and organizations all agree
that a global pandemic is likely
to break out in the near future.
Although no one can say when it will
occur, the potential consequences of a
severe global pandemic could be cata-
strophic in terms of human suffering as
well as the impact on economic, social
and governance structures. The inter-
national relief and development com-
munity now has a unique opportunity to
prepare for a disaster that has not yet oc-
curred. Representatives from the United
Nations (UN), the International Federa-
tion of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC), the U.S. government
and nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) used a session at the InterAc-
tion Forum to present current initiatives
to prepare for a severe global pandemic.
The panel began with a video update
from Dr. David Nabarro, UN System
Senior Coordinator for Avian and Hu-
man Influenza. Dr. Nabarro outlined
the threat of a possible global pandem-
ic, drawing from recent experiences
with H5N1 and the historical infor-
mation gathered from the 1918 global
influenza outbreak. He outlined what
could be expected in a severe, highly
contagious global pandemic outbreak
and the interventions and plans that
would be most effective for maintain-
ing normal services and reducing ex-
cess mortality. Importantly, he noted
that preparation for continuity under
pandemic conditions is relevant to oth-
er major catastrophes and disasters like
flooding or warfare. Simon Cubley, the
Senior Policy Advisor to the UN Sys-
tem Coordinator, presented the work
being done to prepare the UN agencies
and UN member nations.
Marci Van Dyke, Technical Advisor in
Pandemic Planning/Humanitarian Re-
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
sponse at USAID, discussed the back-
ground of USAID’s involvement with
pandemic preparedness and the as-
sumptions that are driving the current
work. During the eight- to twelve-week
period when a pandemic hits a country,
communities need to be able to: (1)
send out the right public communica-
tions messages, including sheltering in
place; (2) support the continuation of
essential services; and (3) have viable
plans to address health issues outside
the formal health systems, which will
likely be overwhelmed. Finally, this
must all be done under the assumption
that the rest of the world will be deal-
ing with the same situation, and, there-
fore, outside assistance will not come
pouring in.
Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Special Envoy for
Avian Influenza at the IFRC, discussed
the Humanitarian Pandemic Prepared-
ness (H2P) Initiative. This USAID-
funded initiative brings together a
variety of partners, including the Acad-
emy for Educational Development, the
CORE Group, the IFRC, InterAction
and the UN. Working from the assump-
tions outlined by Marci Van Dyke, the
H2P Initiative partners will go into 20
countries over the next 18 months to
help prepare communities, raise public
awareness, map existing capacities, and
equip local organizations to better work
together. The initiative will draft pre-
paredness guidance that will be adapt-
able to each community. The guidance
will focus on health, food security and
livelihoods interventions that can be
done at the community level during a
pandemic. Kathryn Bolles, the Director
for the Pandemic Influenza Prepared-
ness Project at CORE Group and Health
and Nutrition Advisor at Save the Chil-
dren, explored the role NGOs will play
in the H2P initiative.
29
The Paris Declaration, U.S. Foreign Aid Reform
and Engagement by Civil Society Organizations
By Kimberly Darter, Senior Program Associate, Partnership & Development Impact, InterAction
T
he overarching goal of the
Paris Declaration – to in-
crease aid effectiveness – is
one that resonates with NGOs
worldwide. At its core are five Partner-
ship Commitments: ownership, align-
ment, harmonization, managing for
results and mutual accountability. Yet
if the Paris Declaration is principally
an agreement that addresses the ef-
ficiency and efficacy of aid relations
between donor and recipient country
governments, does it truly address the
effectiveness of aid?
Inviting participants to engage in a
discussion on the concurrence be-
tween on-going aid reform efforts at
2008 Outstanding Winner: Radio Challenges and Inspires Community into Action, by James Rodriguez, PCI-Media Impact
30 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
the international and national levels,
this Forum session brought together a
panel representing a range of perspec-
tives. Moderated by Ritu Sharma Fox,
Co-Founder and President of Women
Thrive Worldwide, each panelist had
an opportunity to reflect on the Paris
Declaration and how aid reform has
been conducted and acted on in their
respective countries.
Gerry Barr, President & CEO of the
Canadian Council for International
Co-operation, observed that “very
little in [the Paris Declaration] was
about development itself.” Mr. Barr
speaks from experience in both the
Paris Declaration process and Can-
ada’s own aid reform process. On
May 9, 2008 Canada’s Parliament
unanimously passed Bill C-293, also
known as the “Better Aid Bill.” The
legislation contains three rules that
now govern Canada’s foreign aid: (1)
focus on poverty reduction; (2) ac-
counting for the priorities of people
living in poverty; and (3) consistency
with Canada’s international human
rights obligations.
Reflecting on Canada’s aid reform ef-
forts, Mr. Barr noted that the process
was not a simple one. Just as with
the Paris Declaration, by not creating
space for civil society’s perspectives at
the outset, the early work marginalized
the voice of civil society from both do-
nor and recipient countries.
Tomas Brundin, Deputy Director of
the Department for Development Pol-
icy for the Swedish Ministry for For-
eign Affairs, is closely engaged in the
Paris Declaration process. He agreed
that at the beginning, the voice of civ-
il society was marginalized. This has,
however, been addressed through a
more inclusive process put in place
by the Development Assistance
Committee of the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Devel-
opment (OECD/DAC), which recog-
nizes the resources, service delivery
and advocacy roles that civil society
brings to the table. As Mr. Brundin
noted, civil society has an important
function to fulfill, “both as role bear-
ers and as an arena where different
perspectives meet”.
Justin Kilcullen, President of CON-
CORD (the European federation of
NGO networks) observed that, “What
we’re getting in the Paris Declaration
is doing things right; sorting things
out.” But he went on to say that it is
also important to understand what it
means for the quality of aid. In order to
address this issue, the voices of all con-
cerned need to be included. As part of
the effort to keep the public informed,
CONCORD issues an annual Aid
Watch report, to bring media attention
to the issue of foreign aid. According
to Mr. Kilcullen, this report has proven
“more effective than lobbying behind
closed doors.”
Asked how seriously the U.S. gov-
ernment takes the Paris Declaration,
James Kunder, Acting Deputy Ad-
ministrator of the U.S. Agency for
International Development, noted that
while the concurrence is not complete
(in part due to Congressional earmarks
and strategic priorities), the Declara-
tion is reflected in U.S. foreign policy.
He put forward that the core issue of
aligning the Declaration and other
such international agreements with
day-to-day priorities comes down to
Principles for Effective Assistance, as adopted by the
InterAction Board of Directors, February 2006
1. Poverty reduction must be a primary objective of U.S. foreign
assistance because it promotes stability.
2. Achieving the long-term objectives of global prosperity and
freedom depends upon sustainable development as a long-term
process that should not be sidetracked for any short-term political
agenda.
3. Cohesion and coherence, in place of current fragmentation,
are necessary to achieve the effective use of foreign assistance
resources.
4. Building local capacity promotes country ownership and leads to
self-sufficiency.
5. Harmonize priorities among the U.S. government agencies,
multilateral institutions, and recipient governments to assure the
best use of resources.
6. Humanitarian assistance programs should continue to be a core
part of foreign aid and be guided by the principle of impartiality
to conform with international humanitarian law.
7. U.S. foreign assistance programs should be under civilian control
and run by development professionals in order to be appropriate
for the public record.
the ability to translate it into the Con- consumed our dialogue, and because
gressional process. of the different role the U.S. plays,
we need to get aid right. But we also
Mr. Kunder observed that civil society need to recognize that we are part of
has an important role to play in ensur- something bigger and join that pro-
ing that the Declaration is reflected in cess where it is.”
relevant processes. He suggested that
one role for NGOs is to insist on adher- InterAction, in conjunction with mem-
ence to section 48 of the Declaration, ber NGOs and other NGO platforms,
which addresses the inclusion of par- is working to ensure that the U.S. joins
liamentary voices and a “broad range this dialogue in an effective way. This
of development partners” in the cre- involves U.S. NGOs taking conversa-
ation, assessment and implementation tions from the Paris Declaration con-
of development strategies. text and using them to engage effec-
tively with the U.S. government. As
Coming back to reflect on the U.S. Mr. Worthington concluded, “We need
context, Sam Worthington, President to leverage each other, as broader civil
& CEO of InterAction, observed that society, in order to really make the
only recently have U.S. NGOs be- right type of difference.” In the end,
gun to engage in the Paris Declara- “this is not about the efficiency of aid,
tion process and to link it to national this is about its effectiveness, and it is
foreign assistance reform efforts. As the community and village that are the
he put it, “The desire to elevate the ultimate judges of that effectiveness”.
space for effective development has
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 31
Public Speaking and
Photography Tips for Field Staff
By Raul Arce, InterAction Communications Intern
W
ith the media increas-
ingly reaching remote
places and transmitting
news faster than ever,
staff stationed both in the field and at
headquarters must be prepared to visu-
ally represent their organization on the
spot. This point was conveyed at the
2008 InterAction Forum workshop,
Communications Clinic: When CNN
Comes Calling, by Tamar Abrams,
Vice President of Communications at
Population Action International (PAI),
and David Snyder, a photojournalist.
Abrams and Snyder demonstrated
techniques and gave tips on how to de-
velop more effective messaging for or-
ganizations, improve the performance
of spokespeople, and take better photo-
graphs while traveling in the field.
In her presentation, Abrams pointed out
that most people fear public speaking.
She outlined a few basic tips to help those
in attendance either become more effec-
tive spokespeople themselves or to better
prepare their organization’s leaders:
32 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
• connect and interact with the au-
dience by moving from behind the
podium
• speak in short, declarative sen-
tences of 15 to 20 words
• have no more than three main
message points
• practice – on camera
• be sure to get constructive feed-
back from peers along the way
Abrams also recommended that when
giving interviews to reporters, know
beforehand who the reporter is and
find out who will likely read, hear, or
see the piece by sifting through the re-
porter’s past work. She also gave tips
on conducting on-camera and on-air
interviews:
• look at the interviewer, not the
camera
• have somebody you know call in
a question
• if stumped by an audience mem-
ber’s question or by the interview-
er, simply say you don’t know and
will get back to them
Snyder gave useful tips on how field
staff can greatly improve their pho-
tography skills with an average digi-
tal camera and without formal pho-
tography training. In this age when
information is available instantly
anywhere in the world, organizations
can increase their visibility by us-
ing photographs of their field work.
Photos, especially well-taken ones,
attract much more attention than text,
Snyder said.
Using his own photographs as examples,
Snyder outlined his photo-taking tips
and techniques into three sections: Get
Closer, Rule of Thirds, and Go Vertical.
He recommended zooming in or physi-
cally getting closer to subject to limit
Many times the first
thing media representatives
look at is whether or not
an organization has
good pictures.
useless space, unless showing scale is
necessary. By “Rule of Thirds,” Snyder
described moving subjects to the left or
right in a picture (making the subject
cover one-third of the picture), instead
of the center, to add context and depth.
To “Go Vertical,” Snyder recommend-
ed taking more unconventional shots,
including vertical pictures. Another
suggestion was to use the flash in sun-
light to brighten faces or freeze action,
or slightly tilt the camera or put it near
the ground to achieve an unusual per-
spective. The point is to make static
objects exciting.  
Snyder’s other tips included setting
the camera to the highest resolution
possible, taking outdoor pictures dur-
ing the first three and last three hours
of daylight, and making sure an or-
ganization’s name or logo visible.
Finally, Snyder recommended that
organizations actively approach media
representatives to receive publicity
and attention for their cause. He said
many times the first thing media rep-
resentatives look at is whether or not
an organization has good pictures.
Although the workshop was a new ad-
dition to this year’s forum, the largely
practical information that was pre-
sented was well received by the audi-
ence. Most attendees remained in place
asking questions well past the allotted
time. Expect to see some version of
this workshop at next year’s InterAc-
tion Forum.
Edging Closer to Development Effectiveness:
Successful Examples of Innovative Practices
Through Partnerships
By Michael Haslett, Senior Communications Associate, InterAction
T
he increasing pressure on
NGOs to prove their effective-
ness is driving their need to
become more innovative and to
expand their current thinking on humani-
tarian and development approaches. This
has resulted in an increased number of
NGOs thinking creatively about how to
do business. The Partnerships Session I
workshop looked at examples of innova-
tive partnering approaches from many
different angles, relying not just on the
eclectic group of panelists but also the
audience to help steer the discussion.
After an energetic greeting by Feisal
Hussain of Think Ahead Consulting
Ltd., Evan Bloom of Pact opened the
session by talking about new practices
that “disrupt the status quo”. He ex-
plained how electronic methods of com-
munication such as blogging, Flickr, and
Facebook have increased the ability of
people to work collaboratively, provide
instant feedback to companies and proj-
ects, and have customized approaches
to information sharing. He argued these
new collaborative and customizable
tools allow for stronger “partnering”
through collective intelligence and for a
more open source mode of knowledge
sharing and dissemination.
Ramanan Rajaratnam of ActionAid Sri
Lanka then added how ActionAid was
focusing on buy-in from stakeholders,
or “rights holders” as ActionAid refers
to them, where they serve to help carry
out and guide programs that are thought
of and developed by the local popula-
tion they are meant to benefit. Using the
ALPS (Accountability, Learning, Plan-
ning, Systems) model, they work with
local NGOs to help them take ownership
of projects they want to see implemented
in their communities while giving them
the tools to show transparency and ac-
countability, not just to donor organiza-
tions, but more importantly to the com-
munities in which they are working.
Megan Steinke-Chase of Save the Chil-
dren explained how a group their size
has been focusing internally on the
structure of partnerships within their
own organization. Save the Children is
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
going through a restructuring phase that
began with a common understanding
of their work across groups internally
as well as in the field. The goal was to
make the company stronger by estab-
lishing better cohesion within its own
diverse staff. From this they developed
the common underlying goal that their
work is to help children to be protected
from physical and psychological harm,
to learn in age-appropriate settings, and
to be healthy and well-nourished. Their
new strategy is being implemented in
every part of Save the Children’s work
at the community, national, regional,
and global levels, and with local part-
ners and their home offices.
After the panelists’ presentation, the
room broke into small working groups to
discuss partnering topics and to look at
hurdles and accomplishments they have
experienced in their own work. The ses-
sion ended with an enlightening and en-
tertaining look into the work that many
of the Forum attendees were carrying
out and how their examples of partnering
could be used as in future work.
33
Where it’s at: Partnerships to Fight Poverty
By Hilary Nalven, Senior Program Associate for Strategic Impact, InterAction
C
utting-edge perspectives on
partnerships between busi-
nesses, NGOs and govern-
ments were presented in two
corresponding workshops at this year’s
Annual Forum. In both sessions, pan-
elists from the corporate and NGO
sectors described their respective en-
deavors and gave practical advice on
how to create and sustain successful
NGO-business partnerships to end
global poverty.
Corporate Takes
The first workshop, Business-NGO
Partnerships to End Global Poverty:
Views from the Corporate Sector, mod-
erated by Ben Kauffeld, Senior Advisor
for the Office of the Global Develop-
ment Alliance at the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID),
featured leaders from for-profit busi-
nesses that partner with nonprofit orga-
nizations in support of various develop-
ment projects around the world.
David W. West, Founder and CEO of
Civicom™, opened this session with a
presentation on his company’s ongoing
34 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
partnership with World Vision (WV).
Recognizing that something must be
done about today’s persistent global
inequality, Civicom has committed
to give 10 percent of its stock to WV.
Inspired by the ancient faith principle
of tithing, Civicom and WV have col-
laborated to create a program model
that is replicable, personal and mutu-
ally beneficial – all elements that help
create a sustainable partnership.
Larry Miller, Owner and President of
Corinthian Media, also described the
philanthropic work of his business.
Implemented through a partnership be-
tween the Corinthian Foundation and
Christian Children’s Fund (CCF), Gifts
that Give Back allows people to make
donations in the names of others. By tell-
ing the story of the individual child who
is supported by each donation, thereby
making the gift “huggable,” Gifts that
Give Back aims to foster a lasting rela-
tionship between donors and recipients
so that contributions will continue.
The third presenter, Gregory Elphinston,
­­Director of Community Involvement
for Nokia, focused on how public-pri-
vate partnerships can employ advance-
ments in the telecommunications sector
to fight poverty. For example, Nokia,
the International Youth Foundation
(IYF) and USAID are currently imple-
menting a project in the Philippines
that aims to increase multigenerational
access to education. By bringing cellu-
lar technology into schools on remote
islands, these organizations are able to
provide education programs to children
whom otherwise would be unreachable
– attracting people of all ages back into
the classroom.
NGO Insights
In the second workshop, representa-
tives from the NGO community offered
complementary insights on NGO-busi-
ness partnerships. Mitsi Sellers, Leader
of the Partnership Development Initia-
tive for the Grants Unit at WV, mod-
erated a panel discussing Partnerships
Between Businesses, NGOs & Govern-
ments: An NGO Perspective on What
Works and What Doesn’t.
Jack Boyson, Programs Director of
the Education Unit at IYF, explained
how IYF’s multi-sector partnerships
have leveraged their development
projects around the world. These al-
liances are comprised of a variety of
players, including other NGOs, gov-
ernment actors, and different corpo-
rations. For example, through a joint
endeavor now worth $20 million, IYF,
the Education Development Center
and other groups have improved the
math, science and English language
skills of over 500,000 children around
the world.
For David McGuire, Vice President
and Director of the Academy for
Educational Development’s (AED)
Center for Private Sector Health Ini-
tiatives and the NetMark program,
partnerships must be built around the

concepts of sustainability and equity.
The NetMark project, implemented
by AED and funded by USAID along
with other governments and multina-
tional corporations, aims to reduce the
impact of malaria in sub-Saharan Af-
rica while strengthening markets sys-
tems in developing countries. More
specifically, NetMark works with lo-
cal manufacturers and government
subsidies to develop affordable insec-
ticide-treated mosquito nets, creating a
product that stimulates local economic
growth while meeting demand-driven
needs of consumers.
The final panelist, Sasha Muench, Mer-
cy Corps’ Senior Program Manager for
Social Innovations, manages the Our
World, Our Family pilot program with
Western Union (WU). With an end goal
to increase the economic security and
financial management capabilities of
impoverished individuals, Ms. Muench
stressed that Mercy Corps’ partnership
with WU is based on a new approach to
NGO-business partnership. Rather than
being based on a charitable structure
that usually leads to donor-recipient
power imbalances, Mercy Corps acts as
a consultant by advising WU on how to
better serve their core clientele in poor
countries, primarily migrants, while
WU in turn provides financial support
to development projects designed by
Mercy Corps.
Getting the Right Fit and
Making it Last
Key questions that came up in both
sessions probed panelists to elabo-
rate on how NGOs can make them-
selves attractive to businesses seek-
ing public-private partnerships, how
NGOs can choose the right corporate • Building long-term personal rela-
partners, and equations for successful tionships
partnerships.
Many of the speakers emphasized the
Recurrent elements emerged as the need to manage power relationships.
basis for choosing a partner: person- One recommendation was to estab-
al relationships, a good track record, lish participatory and joint decision-
shared goals, and the capacity to get making processes from the outset of
a particular job done. For example, the relationship in order to maintain
Nokia was attracted to IYF based on equal playing fields. Highlight what
good connections with specific con- each partner uniquely brings to the
tacts, their solid reputation with other relationship, not only who provides
companies for achieving results and, what resources. “NGOs undervalue
importantly, because they had a simi- what we bring to the table and focus
lar vision to Nokia. too much on the money. When we are
too eager to get money, we run around
When forming new partnerships, spe- panting like dogs and we lose sight of
cifically between international NGOs, our expertise and grassroots reach,”
local businesses and governments, said Ms. Muench.
Mr. Miller’s advice was to start small
with shorter-term measurable goals, But, as Mr. Elphinston stressed, “It’s
and then build on that momentum. He about the goal and not the partnership it-
described the reverse as like “getting self. Focus on the results, fight fair, and
married without dating first.” from the creative friction truly find ways
to benefit those you are trying to serve.”
Other key factors mentioned for sus-
taining partnerships include: Fighting Poverty Can’t be
• A common vision that takes into Done Alone
account the individual goals of all Overall, these business and NGO rep-
actors resentatives demonstrated their passion
• Equal commitment to a win-win and commitment to transforming and
alliance that shares resources, ben- mainstreaming relationships between
efits, risks and accolades corporations, NGOs and governments
• Trust, transparency and regular to fight poverty at unprecedented levels.
communication In closing, Mr. McGuire pointed out that
• Shared responsibility for obtain- NGOs are in a unique position to change
ing results and managing expecta- the way we think about the private sec-
tions tor, and that “companies are a source of
• Clearly defined methods for con- hope for the developing world.” The po-
sensual decision making tential for creating a just global society
• Flexibility and willingness to learn through public-private partnerships has
how to work together yet to be fully tapped -- but the possibili-
• Willingness to fail ties are endless if we do.
Recommended Web sites and publications on
public-private partnerships:
• Business for Social Responsibility: bsr.org
• Capitalism at the Crossroads by Stuart L. Hart, Cornell University
• Creating Social Enterprises Through Strategic Alliances: A Tool Kit for NGOs by
Dr. Richard Steckel and Jack Boyson, International Youth Foundation
• International Business Leaders Forum: iblf.org
• Global Giving’s “Partner Resources”: globalgiving.com
• The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid by C.K. Prahalad, University of
Michigan
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 35
InterAction Security Standards Implementation
By Josh Kearns, Associate Security Coordinator, InterAction

I
nterAction members are required
to comply with InterAction’s Mini-
mum Operating Security Standards
(MOSS) by the end of 2008. Mike
O’Neill, Senior Director of Security
for Save the Children, facilitated a
workshop designed to help organiza-
tions understand how they can imple-
ment the five MOSS standards. In-
terAction’s board recently approved
benchmarks for self-certification and
documents for completing the process
are available on InterAction’s web site.
Each standard is listed below followed
by a summary of the key related points
from the workshop:
Standard one: “InterAction mem-
bers shall have policies addressing
key security issues and formal plans
at both field and headquarters levels
to address these issues.” InterAction
members are required to have a secu-
rity plan, a single document containing
information, standard operating proce-
dures and contingency plans relating to
the security of NGO staff and property.
It was stressed during the workshop
that this document will look different
for every organization, depending on
their mission, mandate and operating
environment.
Standard four: “InterAction mem-
bers shall incorporate accountabil-
ity for security into their management
systems at both field and headquarters
levels.”
Standard five: “InterAction members
shall work in a collaborative manner
with other members of the humanitarian
and development community to advance
their common security interests.”
Workshop participants were asked to
describe what security and safety con-
cerns they have when sending staff
abroad to visit field programs, and
what mitigating measures they ex-
pect their organization to take. Con-
cerns included road accidents, lack of
knowledge at headquarters about the
security situation to be encountered,
and disease. Mitigating measures in-
cluded communications equipment,
emergency contact lists, a pre-depar-
ture briefing, medical evacuation and
war risk insurance, and an in-country
itinerary to be shared with both head-
quarters and local staff. Participants
then listed actions they would take
in the event of a crisis in a country
in which their organization has pro-
grams. These included:
• contacting various agencies of the
U.S. government and their own
agency’s national office
• accessing emergency information
for staff
• convening a crisis management team
• conducting outreach to family mem-
bers of staff who may be affected.
Mr. O’Neill and several other security
experts in attendance stressed that by
implementing the Minimum Operat-
ing Security Standards organizations
would be better prepared for the secu-
rity challenges that affect all of us in
our work.

Standard two: “InterAction mem-

bers shall make available appropri-
ate resources to meet these Minimum
Operating Security Standards.” Ap-
propriate resources include personnel,
funding, information and material,
though these will vary among organi-
zations.

Standard three: “InterAction mem-

bers shall implement reasonable hir-
ing policies and personnel procedures
to prepare staff to cope with the secu-
rity issues at their post of assignment,
support them during their service, and
address post assignment issues.”

36 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

Transitioning from Emergency
Response to Development
By Elizabeth Bellardo, Program Manager, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction
T
he international relief and
development community has
long recognized that transi-
tioning programs from emer-
gency response interventions to longer-
term development is not an easy task.
Representatives from the U.S. govern-
ment, the United Nations, and nongov-
ernmental organizations (NGOs) came
together on a panel to discuss some
of the newest mechanisms to address
consistent transition gaps.
Ky Luu, Director of the USAID Office
of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
presented the OFDA Transition Work-
sheet, a new mandatory checklist and
inventory sheet that OFDA teams must
fill out when structuring OFDA emer-
gency responses. He also discussed re-
cent interventions by OFDA to ensure
smoother transitions from emergency
response to development in the Ogaden
region of Ethiopia and in the response
to Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh.
Beth Dunford, Regional Development
Advisor in the Office of East African
Affairs at USAID, stressed the impor-
tance of bringing development officials
into emergency response discussions
as early as possible to ensure a smooth
transition. She provided examples where
USAID Missions in the Democratic Re-
public of Congo, Kenya and Southern
Sudan were able to use development
funding to address emergency and tran-
sition needs. USAID development assis-
tance, she noted, can be most effective
in disaster prone areas when develop-
ment programs are written to include
disaster risk reduction elements, or have
contractual flexibility to switch between
development and emergency responses.
She also noted that all designs and re-
designs of development programming
have budgetary implications.
George Khoury, Regional
Team Leader for Arab States
in the Bureau for Crisis Pre-
vention and Recovery of
the United National Devel-
opment Program, presented
the new UN early recovery
policy. This policy repre-
sents a concerted effort at
the global and country lev-
els to start recovery activi-
ties earlier in the emergen-
cy response, and, relying
on development principles
earlier in the response, to
encourage ownership once
the interventions change to
development. He also an-
nounced the newly launched
transitional funding mecha-
nism for Southern Sudan
meant to fill the gaps left by
the slower moving Multi-
Donor Trust Fund.
Judith Hermanson, Senior
Vice President of CHF In-
ternational, presented the
four recommendations that
the Advisory Committee On
Voluntary Foreign Aid has
made to USAID Administra-
tor Henrietta Fore on transi-
2008 Outstanding Winner: Denied, Jordan, By Ashley Clements,
tion issues. She also provid- World Vision International
ed innovative examples of
how CHF is addressing transition issues
within the organization through pro-
gramming in Darfur, post-tsunami work
in Aceh, Indonesia, and post-earthquake
activities in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
The panel ended with a discussions pe-
riod that further explored issues related
to the UN Inter-Agency Standing Com-
mittee’s Early Recovery Cluster, NGO
coordination, and expanding partner
and donor relationships.
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 37
Inside our Community
Mercy Corps Delivers Lifesaving Supplies to
China Earthquake Survivors
Mercy Corps’ emergency response team in Sichuan province re-
ported that more than 22 truckloads of lifesaving supplies were
delivered to survivors on May 15. Mercy Corps is also working
to send medicines and has established an office in Chongqing.
“The good news is that we’re able to reach people in more iso-
lated areas today and all roads are open,” reported Mercy Corps
aid worker Joy Portella. “The bad news is that it was a very
sad and emotional day for many people as more bodies were
uncovered from rubble and people realize that those counted as
missing may not be alive this many days after the disaster.”
Mercy Corps’ relief team is particularly concerned about the
psychological needs of children, who are often most affect-
ed by crises of this scale. Plans are being made to develop
a “Comfort for Kids” program to help youth and caregivers
cope with the tremendous loss.
Mercy Corps announced in May that it would partner with the
All China Youth Federation, a China-based umbrella organi-
zation that works with a large and diverse network of local
groups. They have more than 400 million members.
InterAction Board Approves Four New Members
In their May 6, 2008 meeting InterAction’s board of direc-
tors voted unanimously to welcome the following new
member organizations:
The Alliance to End Hunger is building the public and
political will to end hunger by focusing on three strate-
gic objectives: fostering strategic partnerships, building
political commitment and creating global connections.
The Alliance helps members effectively leverage their ef-
forts to create real change for hungry people. The Alliance
works to make the end of hunger a focus for corporate
social responsibility and it engages diverse institutions in
building the public and political will to end hunger in the
U.S. and around the world.
BRAC USA was founded in 1972 as the Bangladesh Relief
Assistance Committee and later renamed the Bangladesh
Rural Advancement Committee after establishing activi-
ties in relief and rehabilitation operations. BRAC USA was
created to raise awareness, cultivate partnerships and
mobilize resources in support of BRAC’s global expansion.
By creating a global network that share values and vision,
BRAC seeks to bring together knowledge, innovation and
entrepreneurship to build scalable, sustainable solutions
to marginalization, poverty, disease, illiteracy and envi-
ronmental degradation.
38 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
International Medical Corps Deploys Team to
Bangkok; Identifies Local Partner in Myanmar
The International Medical Corps (IMC) deployed an emer-
gency response team in Bangkok, Thailand and identified a
local partner through which to channel its initial efforts in
Myanmar. The team is prepared to provide immediate assis-
tance to cyclone victims once it receives visas to enter the
country. Estimates suggest that Cyclone Nargis left between
78,000 and 128,000 dead, with another 56, 000 reported miss-
ing. Torrential rains following the cyclone further complicated
the aid effort and compounded victims’ suffering. The U.N.
has estimated that 2.5 million people need assistance.
IMC has secured emergency supplies including medicines,
hygiene kits and water purification tablets, and has partnered
with a local organization to facilitate the clearance and dis-
tribution of relief items awaiting permission to enter. The lo-
cal organization began its assistance by administering emer-
gency services in and around Yangon through a network of
mobile and stationary medical clinics. With many of Myan-
mar’s roads impassable due to flooding and debris, IMC is
also developing plans for logistical supply lines to the hardest
hit areas.
JAM (Joint Aid Management) is a non-profit, Christian,
international humanitarian relief and development orga-
nization with 25 years of experience in sustainable devel-
opment. Its mission is to help Africa help itself by contrib-
uting to the alleviation of poverty through sustainable aid
programs that express the compassionate heart of God.
JAM’s programs focus is on nutritional feeding, assistance
to orphans and vulnerable children, water and sanitation,
agricultural development, HIV/AIDS education and train-
ing, as well as skills development and community training.
JAM operates many of its programs from school-based
platforms and believes that effective education is only at-
tained through adequate nutrition.
Perkins School for the Blind is committed to providing
education and services that build productive, meaningful
lives for children and adults around the world who are blind,
deaf blind or visually impaired with or without other disabili-
ties. Each year, Perkins School for the Blind provides services
to more than 92,000 children, families and teachers in the
U.S. and around the world. The primary focus of Perkins’
international efforts is on building the capacity of local or-
ganizations and schools to develop sustainable educational
services for children and their families. This includes approxi-
mately 21,000 children and teachers in 62 countries across
Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
“A first responder to the southeast Asian tsunami, the Pakistan
earthquake and many other natural disasters, International
Medical Corps’ emergency response to Myanmar builds on
over twenty years of emergency relief experience,” says Rabih
Torbay, IMC Vice President of International Operations. “In
a catastrophe of this magnitude, every minute without relief
means more lives are lost. By coordinating with local and re-
gional partners and the international relief community, IMC is
able to implement an emergency response effort to deliver aid
to those populations where it is desperately needed.”
CRWRC Disaster Response Team to Assess U.S.
Tornado Damage
An assessment team from the Christian Reformed World Re-
lief Committee (CRWRC) prepared to travel to storm-devas-
tated areas near Picher, Oklahoma, after a system of storms
raged across the southern and central United States. Disaster
Response Services workers Doug and Mary Van Der Meu-
len surveyed area damage to gather early assessment informa-
tion to help focus the organization’s response.
The storms contained more than two-dozen tornadoes that grat-
ed across  multiple communities in Oklahoma, Missouri and
Georgia. They left an estimated 27 people dead and hundreds of
homes destroyed. In one Georgia community, the entire town of
1,000 residents was flattened. President Bush promised federal
aid to assist with search and rescue, and in recovery operations. 
As the response to this devastation continues, CRWRC may
also assist disaster survivors with rapid response clean up
and roofing or shelter needs, and door-to-door assessments in
Oklahoma communities to inventory unmet needs among the
neediest survivors.
Opportunity International Achieves Growth for
Sixth Consecutive Year
Opportunity International, one of the world’s largest microfi-
nance organizations, achieved stunning growth, for the sixth
consecutive year in 2007, according to its financial report.
Revenue increased 34 percent in 2007 compared with 2006,
and private cash contributions and pledges were up 85 per-
cent. In addition, total dollars raised for the poor increased 5
percent in 2007, from 127 million to 133 million.
Though Opportunity International’s 2007 numbers are substantial,
the multiplier effect applied to loans given makes these numbers
even more impressive. The power of Opportunity International’s
business model enables donations to be magnified by commer-
cial borrowing and savings accounts. For every $100 contributed,
this resulted in $274 reaching the poor in 2007.
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 39
Career Developments
By Michael Haslett, Senior Communications Associate, InterAction

How do you make large events help your career? Next month’s
Does networking in these environments really work? question:
While gearing up for InterAction’s Annual Forum, I started to think about how large events How have
and conferences are often thought of as great places for networking and getting to meet “trends” influence
friends and colleagues. In my own experience, I have enjoyed events like this for just these
your career
reasons: it is an opportunity to meet with the people and companies that are involved
in various sectors of the international development and to learn about the new projects, choices? How big
technologies, approaches and theories on development. of a role do hot
topics and new
Looking back though, I can surely say that I have never managed to advance my career or
ideas play in your
find a job by networking at conferences. The added advantage I’ve always gotten is being
able to put a face to a name, or getting to know new organizations and vendors that I or my decision making
own organization might like to partner with or utilize the services of. when looking for
jobs?
In light of this, and to better understand others’ experiences with networking at such events,
I posed the question, “How do large events help your career? Does networking in these
environments really work?” to the readers of Monday Developments and to job seekers who
subscribe to our weekly job postings. Below are some of their responses: Send your
• “As a very recent college graduate, I appreciate any and all opportunities that come responses
along where I can meet people working in the humanitarian field…I find them to be by email to
quite helpful, especially as a newcomer who has yet to make much headway at finding a Michael Haslett
way to break into the field.” – Christopher Cotton at mhaslett@
• “I am quite introverted and don’t naturally take to networking, so I’m not sure large interaction.org,
events have helped my career. They often, however, give me a deeper understanding of with “Career
particular topics within the field of international development.” – Barbara Boyd Developments” in
the subject line.
• “Networking at large events requires more than a firm handshake and strong
communication skills. It works best when it is perceived to be mutually beneficial. This Also, feel free to
represents a challenge for young people who have limited credentials. Often, people are comment on this
willing to briefly talk, share some quick advice, and move on to the next person. This is month’s reader
usually the extent of the networking.”– Brent Courson responses.
• “I think these larger events can be useful if someone is interested in international
development in general but perhaps for those who have a more focused interest, it may
be more effective to use other more targeted techniques to find jobs. Large events can
be good for ‘shoppers,’ those who want to learn more about the development industry,
who the players are, etc., but I think that once in the industry for a long enough time,
that relying on other methods is more effective, i.e., if you know where you want to work
and who you want to work for, those larger networking events may not be the most Want us to
effective.”– Jumana Salem focus on a
• “Establishing relationships in person is also a good way to open doors and lines of specific career
communication, bypassing all the middlemen and official channels which are so development
prevalent in today’s workplace. In terms of potential job-hunting, having someone to topic? Let us
send your resume to directly - whether by their request or your own initiative - is of know.
tremendous value.”– Peter Murphy
Email Michael
at mhaslett@
interaction.org

40 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS


POSITION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Health Office Project
Officer
Washington, DC
Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) seeks
a Health Office Project Officer for our
Washington, DC office. The purpose of
this position is to provide administrative
and technical support for the CA-USA
health program, with primary emphasis
on the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)
Program, USAID funded program suc-
cessfully combating malaria in several
African nations. Responsibilities: Sup-
port the IRS project manager and field
staff with daily project activities, such as
coordinating and drafting responses for
client requests. Assist IRS program ac-
countant in developing and reviewing
monthly client and supplier invoices as
well as CA-USA income forecasting ex-
ercises. Qualifications: Bachelors’ degree
with a minimum of five years’ experi-
ence in health commodity procurement
and supply chain management systems,
international development, or other re-
lated sectors. Demonstrated successful
track record of project administration
for USAID or other US Government
funded projects. Experience in procure-
ment and supply chain management
project administration highly desirable.
APPLICATIONS: Register & submit a re-
sume at http://careers.crownagentsusa.
com. For more information, please visit
www.crownagents.com. CA-USA is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Senior Finance Officer
Juba, South Sudan
IMA World Health, a non-profit orga-
nization providing products/services
for health and development programs
overseas, urgently seeks a professional
to be responsible for all aspects of fi-
nancial management for a large World
Bank funded program in South Sudan.
The position will be based in Juba,
South Sudan with travel between Juba
and Nairobi, Kenya. This position will be
the primary liaison with the CFO at IMA
HQ in New Windsor, Maryland, USA for
financial and accounting matters and
Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org
will ensure compliance with IMA World
Health internal policies and procedures
as well as donor regulations. The suc-
cessful candidate must be willing to
travel regularly to field program offices
and project sites in Upper Nile and Jon-
glei States. BA/S or equivalent in ac-
counting/finance is required. Five years
of international experience required; in-
ternational NGO field office experience
preferred. FT position with excellent
benefits. EOE. Send resume and salary
requirements to Ms. Carol Hulver, IMA
World Health, PO Box 429, New Wind-
sor MD 21776. Fax 410-635-8726. Email
carolhulver@imaworldhealth.org.
DSDP Program Officer
New York, NY
Program Management for the Durable
Solutions for the Displaced Program
(DSDP). 3 years experience required in
Refugee and Resettlement. Strong or-
ganizational, grant writing and presen-
tation skills. Supervise staff and program
in Lancaster, PA. Work with partners
and other NGOs. Will travel in US and
overseas. $55,000-$60,000 plus ben-
efits. Send resume by June 27, 2008 to
Church World Service - HR, P.O Box 968,
Elkhart, IN 46515, fax 574/266-0087 or
cwshr@churchworldservice.org Full job
online. EOE
Program Assistant
Research Triangle Park, NC
RTI International is looking for a Pro-
gram Assistant, based in RTP, NC, who
will provide a wide range of program
and proposal support for the Center
for International Health (CIH). These du-
ties are to include program administra-
tive support, international project and
proposal recruitment and more. The
CIH team manages programs focused
on infectious diseases, reproductive
health, health systems strengthening,
and health policy development, which
is predominately USAID funded. For
more information, please visit www.rti.
org. To apply and learn more about this
opportunity, please go to www.rti.org/
careers, search job code 11492.
Deputy Program Director
Washington, DC
RTI International is seeking a Deputy Pro-
gram Director, based in Washington DC,
for its five year, $150 million, USAID In-
definite Quantity Contract to support the
use of Indoor Residual Spraying in Africa
MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008
for the prevention and control of malaria.
Funded by the U.S. President’s Malaria
Initiative (PMI) through USAID, RTI is pro-
viding technical and financial support to
15 countries supported by the PMI to ex-
pand the use of IRS as an intervention for
malaria prevention and control. For more
information, please visit www.rti.org. To
apply and learn more about this oppor-
tunity, please go to www.rti.org/careers,
search job code 11482.
Applied Research and
Evaluation Specialist
Research Triangle Park, NC
RTI International is seeking an Applied
Research and Evaluation Specialist
for its RTP, NC office. The Applied
Research Specialist will be primarily
responsible for managing the Center for
International Health’s applied research
and monitoring and evaluation work.
He/she will oversee the development,
implementation, and strengthening of
M&E systems for projects in the field and
will conduct evaluations, comparative
analyses, and other research tasks in
support of CIH projects focused on
Health Systems and Finance; Health
Policy and Research; Health Governance
and Public Private Partnerships;
Malaria; NTDs; and HIV/AIDS. Strong
USAID experience required. For more
information, please visit www.rti.org.
To apply and learn more about this
opportunity, please go to www.rti.org/
careers, search job code 11491.
Senior Vice President for
Programs
Washington, DC
CNFA is a nonprofit organization dedi-
cated to increasing and sustaining ru-
ral incomes in less developed areas of
the world. Working primarily in Africa
and Central and Eastern Europe, CNFA
helps farmers and rural entrepreneurs
improve the commercial viability of
their enterprises. Staff of 200; budget
of $30 million. SVP for Programs will be
responsible for overseeing the imple-
mentation of current programs, identi-
fying new programmatic opportunities,
and recruiting staff to run new projects.
Ideal candidate will be knowledgeable
about methods that lead to success-
ful agribusiness and other enterprise
development in developing countries,
especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and
experienced in conceiving and running
continued on next page
41
Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org
continued from previous page
donor-financed agribusiness or other
enterprise development projects (SMES,
microfinance, etc.) in developing coun-
tries. See complete job announcement,
including application instructions, at
www.SlesingerManagement.com.
Vice President for
Education
Baltimore, Maryland
International Youth Foundation, the VP
of Education is responsible for devel-
oping an overall strategy to guide the
education program, overseeing the
successful implementation of projects;
and leading the effort to raise money
for new projects. Ideal VP for education
will be deeply knowledgeable about
proven methods to bring innovation
and excellence to programs and systems
that foster quality education to youth
around the world, especially in Asia, Af-
rica, Latin America, or the Middle East,
and a skilled manager, capable of work-
ing effectively in an organization where
close collaboration among department
vice presidents and other senior staff is
highly valued. Experience working in
developing countries is essential. See
complete job announcement, includ-
ing application instructions, at www.
SlesingerManagement.com.
Senior Policy Analyst
Washington, DC
Bread for the World is seeking a senior
level professional to provide leadership
on international economics, agriculture
and trade policies, and other legislative
issues. Sr. Analyst will help develop and
implement legislative strategy to fight
hunger in the US and abroad, research
issues and propose policy recom-
mendations, prepare position papers,
recommend grassroots action, and
develop working relationships with
congressional staff, administration of-
ficials and non-governmental coalition
partners. Must have a bachelor’s degree
in public policy or related area; prefer a
masters degree in international eco-
nomics policy or related area; 5 years of
relevant experience including Hill expe-
rience; knowledge of international hun-
ger/poverty issues; understanding of
legislative and appropriation process;
analytical skills; strong communication
skills; and experience with grassroots
organizations. Email cover letter and
resume to: human.resources@bread.org
42 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
by June 16th. For more details visit: www. gram to monitor and analyze legislative
bread.org and policy proposals related to Climate
Change issues that are of specific inter-
Chief Communication est to WWF such as Reduced Emissions
Officer from Deforestation and Degradation
(REDD), Energy Efficiency, the Energy
Cambridge, Ma
Star program, and Climate Information
Physicians for Human Rights seeks ex-
and Preparedness. The policy lead will
perienced professional to oversee all
evaluate proposed bills, and other poli-
aspects of external communications,
cy initiatives of the Executive and Legis-
including creating and implement-
lative branches. A Graduate degree in a
ing strategic communication plan to
related field is required. A minimum of
advance PHR’s mission and program
5 years experience in climate change,
agenda through a range of communi-
energy, environmental policy, econom-
cations tools. Bachelors degree, at least
ics, or other related field is required.
ten years progressive management ex-
Bachelor’s degree, plus seven years
perience in the communications field,
experience in lieu of graduate degree.
proven experience coordinating and
The ideal candidate will have Climate
executing communications campaigns.
Change legislative experience, strong
For complete job description and more
communication skills (oral and written),
information about PHR visit our website
sound relationship building and man-
www.physiciansforhumanrights.org.
agement skills, a high degree of initia-
Apply to resumes@phrusa.org, or mail
tive and flexibility to accommodate
to Resume Coordinator, PHR, 2 Arrow
deadlines and constantly changing
Street, Suite 301, Cambridge, MA 02138.
priorities. AA/EOE Women and minori-
PHR is an equal opportunity employer.
ties are encouraged to apply. To apply,
please visit http://www.worldwildlife.
Director of Human org/about/jobs.cfm Job # 28120.
Resources
Chapel Hill, NC
Program Associate,
IntraHealth International, Chapel Hill,
Foundations
NC ($60 million budget, 450 + staff) is
a leader in expanding access to quality
Arlington, VA
Winrock International is seeking a high-
healthcare services; bringing expertise
ly skilled professional with exceptional
needed to meet specific health/social
writing, organization and planning
challenges in the developing world, in-
skills to assistant in increasing the num-
cluding maternal health, newborn/child
ber of proposals Winrock submits to
health, reproductive health/family plan-
major foundations. The ideal candidate
ning, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
must have at least two – three years
The Director will oversee a broad range
of successful foundation grant writing
of HR services, including policy develop-
and business development experience
ment, staff recruitment, position evalua-
and knowledge of the procedures and
tion and classification, compensation
proposal requirements of major foun-
and employee benefits management,
dations such as Gates, Ford, Hilton and
employee relations, performance plan-
Kellogg. Qualified applicants should
ning and evaluation programs, training
send current resume and cover letter
and development, retention and succes-
referencing HRM / PA – NBSU by June
sion planning; Broad-based leadership/
13, 2008 to jobs@winrock.org. Only
management experience required, pref-
those selected for interviewing will be
erably with ten or more years in a com-
contacted. No phone calls please.
plex, international not-for-profit; knowl-
edge of federal government contracting
regulations, HR certification preferred; Sr. Technical officer for
master’s degree; fluency in French a Research, Monitoring and
plus; Email resume and cover letter to: Evaluation
IntraHealth-HR@PhillipsOppenheim.com San Diego, CA
PCI is seeking a Sr. Technical Officers
Policy Lead, Climate Change for Research, Monitoring and Evalua-
Washington, DC tion. He/she will provide leadership in
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global evaluative and programmatic research,
conservation organization, seeks a including but not limited to evaluative,
Policy Lead for it’s Climate Change pro operational, qualitative, action and
 Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

impact research, measuring “real and
lasting change”. In addition, this posi-
tion provides research, monitoring and
evaluation (M&E) technical support and
assistance to program staff at the Inter-
national Office (IO) and in the field. Re-
quired qualifications: Masters (PhD or
equivalent degree preferred) in Public
Health, with broad-based expertise in
research design and operational meth-
ods. For a full description, please visit
our website at www.projectconcern.
org and go to the careers link. If you
are interested in applying for this posi-
tion, please forward a cover letter and
resume to careers@projectconcern.org
or fax to 858-694-0294.

Weekly email job announcements - sign up now!

www.interaction.org
InterAction offers a weekly emailed listing of extensive employment and
internship opportunities in the field of international development and
humanitarian assistance. Receive approximately 25-35 job announcements
each Monday morning from U.S.-based humanitarian and development
organizations with positions available in the United States and overseas.
Subscriptions are available for renewable periods of one month for US $20
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0,!.6)%4.!-

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 43

Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org
DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
HIAS Overseas Processing Entity,
Vienna, Austria
HIAS, Inc., the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society,
the oldest international refugee serving agency
in the U.S., seeks a strong management skilled
Deputy Director for the HIAS overseas Processing Entity (OPE) in Vienna,
Austria. The Vienna OPE processes eligible refugees for the U.S. Refugee
Program and ensures compliance under the terms of a cooperative agree-
ment with the U.S. Government.
Reporting directly to the OPE Director and working closely with HIAS
Headquarters, the successful candidate will coordinate the internal opera-
tions of the OPE, including Pre-Arrival, Pre-Adjudication, Out-Processing
and Cultural Orientation. The Deputy Director will support the Director
in financial human resources and other administrative functions; provide
training and guidance to staff; develop and update operating procedures;
prepare statistical/narrative reports; and preform other duties as required.
The ideal candidate will have an advanced university degree or an equiva-
lent combination of education and experience, including at least two
years of management experience. Preference will be given to candidates
who are familiar with the U.S. refugee admissions program, preferably
both domestic and overseas, and have basic knowledge of U.S. immigra-
tion law. Native-level English with excellent writing, presentation and
analytical ability required, as is experience managing staff, operations
and preparing budgets. Fluency in German helpful. Pre-certified to work
in EU a plus but not required. (Employer will petition, if needed.) Please
e-mail a letter explaining your interests and qualifications, as well as full
current curriculum vitae (CV, resume) reflecting salary history to: hiasint-
ntl@hias.org . Please type Deputy Director, OPE Vienna in the subject line.
or FAX to: 212-967-4383.
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
Country Directors
Liberia, Egypt and
South Africa/Lesotho
The Country Director is CARE’s senior repre-
sentative in the country of her/his assignment
and is expected to provide strategic leadership
and guidance to the country office team. S/he
ensures that CARE’s role and mandate in the
country are appropriate to the operating con-
text and position CARE as partner of choice and a significant contribu-
tor to reducing poverty and social injustice.
The CD oversees the development, funding and implementation of the
country office strategy and a program portfolio (including emergency
programming) that effectively addresses the underlying causes of
poverty in line with CARE’s Programming Principles. S/he ensures that
systems are in place and being implemented properly to ensure the
proper management, well being and safety of staff and the steward-
ship of resources. S/he is responsible for establishing and maintaining
good working relationships with host government officials, donors and
other partners.
CARE’s country directors must have the following qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
•Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a very complex
international setting
•Experience in program design, implementation and evaluation
•Experience in emergency activities and development programming
•Strong financial knowledge
•Experience in cultivating and maintaining partnerships with national &
international NGOs as well as with donors & government counterparts.
She has the power to change her world; you have the power to help
her do it. Use your power and apply today!
www.care.org/careers
44 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS
Director of Grant
Development
Richmond, VA
Christian Children’s Fund is offering the
opportunity for a results oriented per-
son to provide leadership, direction and
coordination of its fundraising among
institutional foundations, government
and multilateral agencies. The Director
of Grant Development will have a mandate to grow CCF’s funding from
these sources. This position will report directly to the Vice President of
Global Programs and will supervise an existing team with a commit-
ment to build the team as required.
The candidate will have:
• A demonstrated track record of success in developing winning
proposals in partnership with international, national and local
implementing partners.
• A strong knowledge of – and existing relationships with – institutional
foundations, government and multilateral agencies and other “key
players”, preferably in relation to programming in support of children.
• Experience in building organizational fundraising capability, with an
emphasis on building staff skills and abilities.
• Strong and enthusiastic interpersonal skills and an ability to
communicate orally and with excellent presentation skills.
CCF offers an excellent working environment, and a generous salary and
benefits package. The ability and desire to travel is a must.
Please submit your application directly by visiting our website
www.christianchildrensfund.org EOE M/F/D/V
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 Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

changing world
the
—
one SIT Graduate Institute
child attime
a formerly School for International Training

International Development
Programs
World Vision is a Christian
humanitarian organization s-ASTERSDEGREESINDYNAMIClELDS
dedicated to working with
children, families, and their including Sustainable Development,
communities worldwide to reach Conflict Transformation, and Management
their full potential by tackling the
causes of poverty and injustice. s$EGREECONCENTRATIONS
Development Management
To learn more about our work, Conflict and Development
visit us at www.worldvision.org.
Mission-driven Organizations
s,EARNINGANDDOING
Global, field-based studies

WWWSITEDUGRADUATE
WWWWORLDLEARNINGORG

PAIR08679_0508 © 2008 World Vision, Inc.

Brandeis University
PAIR08679 IA Mag Ad.indd 1 5/30/08 9:47:52 AM

The Heller School of Social Policy and Management Knowledge Advancing Social Justice

The End of Poverty ...

One Degree at a Time
Over 150 students in residence from 65 countries forming one of x M.A. in Sustainable International Development
the largest programs of its kind in the world. M.S. in International Health Policy and Management
x
x M.B.A. concentration in Sustainable Development
Alumni are employed by U.N. agencies, bilateral and multilateral
aid organizations, and NGOs throughout the world. x M.P.P. concentration in Poverty
x Dual M.A. programs in Sustainable Development with
Generous financial assistance for Peace Corps and other service Coexistence & Conflict and with Women & Gender Studies
organization volunteers.

A community of activists and scholars on the front lines of social policy.

781-736-3820
heller.brandeis.edu HellerAdmissions@Brandeis.edu

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 45

Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

46 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

 Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

NEW FROM OXFAM INTERNATIONAL

FROM POVERTY TO POWER
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^cZfjVa^inVcYid\^kZeddgeZdeaZedlZgdkZgi]Z^gdlcYZhi^c^ZhVgVY^XVa
gZY^hig^Wji^dcd[edlZg!deedgijc^i^Zh!VcYVhhZih^hgZfj^gZY#I]ZildYg^k^c\
[dgXZhWZ]^cYhjX]VigVch[dgbVi^dcVgZVXi^kZX^i^oZchVcYZ[[ZXi^kZhiViZh#
I]ZgZ^hcdlVcVYYZYjg\ZcXnWZndcYi]ZbdgVaXVhZ[dgiVX`a^c\edkZgin
VcY^cZfjVa^in!lZcZZYidWj^aYVhZXjgZ![V^g!VcYhjhiV^cVWaZldgaYWZ[dgZ
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MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 47

Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

48 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 49

Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex,

and more violent. It takes a touch of genius— and a lot of
courage—to move in the opposite direction.”
— Albert Einstein, at whose suggestion the IRC was founded

MARTINO BUDIAWAN
Education

It takes the best to prevail against the worst of crises.

To join us, please visit: theIRC.org/Jobs

IRC_MonDev_JuneAd.indd 1 6/4/08 9:58:23 AM

50 InterAction’s MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS

 Interested in placing a job announcement or advertisement? Email publications@interaction.org

SKILL
AND
PASSION
AT WORK Director of Development Issues, Strategic Impact Team
Washington, DC
Current
Openings The Director of Development Issues serves as the lead staff member on
priority issues in international development, focusing on InterAction’s
Finance Director expanding work in agriculture and climate change. S/he is a member
DR Congo of the senior Leadership Team and reports to the Vice President for
Strategic Impact. Specific responsibilities include:
Community Driven
Reconstruction Program  coordinate and provide technical guidance to working groups
Director in agriculture and climate change, and oversee the Strategic
DR Congo Impact Team’s overall working group portfolio
 advise InterAction staff and members on key issues and effective
Director of Programs strategies related to agriculture, food security, climate change,
DR Congo and adaptation
 contribute to InterAction policy advocacy position papers and
Deputy Director of Programs statements related to these areas in coordination with the Public
Sudan
Policy Team
Sexual & Gender Based  develop, with members, practical materials (manuals, guidelines,
Violence Advisor etc) to support effective practice in the field related to
Syria agriculture and climate change
 contribute to organization-wide planning and work
Team Leaders & Writers collaboratively with members of the Strategic Impact Team on
implementation
 represent InterAction at external meetings and events
 identify funding sources and write/contribute to proposals

To learn more about working
with us, please visit
theIRC.org/Jobs
Qualifications: In-depth knowledge of current international development
issues and processes, with a focus on climate change (adaptation),
agriculture, and the global food crisis. Ability to build and maintain
positive relationships with InterAction member organizations and other
key partners and constituencies. Excellent writing and oral presentation
skills. Facilitative and team oriented style of working and management.
Master’s degree or Ph.D. in field related to agriculture and climate
change. At least fifteen years experience in development work overseas
and in U.S., with a nonprofit, government, or research institution.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to hnalven@interaction.org

or to Hilary Nalven, Senior Program Associate, Strategic Impact Team,
InterAction, 1400 16th St. N.W., Suite #210, Washington, DC 20036.

Deadline is July 6, 2008. No phone calls please. Only finalists will be

contacted. InterAction provides competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS June 2008 51

1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 210
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 667-8227
Fax: (202) 667-8236
publications@interaction.org
www.interaction.org

FIRST CLASS MAIL

InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international
development and humanitarian nongovernmental
organizations. With more than 160 members operating in every
developing country, we work to overcome poverty, exclusion
and suffering by advancing social justice and basic dignity for all.