Global Labor Program: USAID Generally Followed Policy but Would Benefit From Better Organizational Support and Certification of Reviewers

Evaluation
Report Number
E-000-22-003-M

USAID’s Global Labor Program (GLP) was created in 1997 to increase the capacity of worker organizations to promote labor rights, increase access to justice for employees, and advance decent work worldwide. Since fiscal year 2020, GLP has received $12.5 million in annual funding through congressional directive. In April 2020, USAID updated its process for soliciting proposals and renamed the program Global Labor Program – New Frontiers (GLP-NF).

Our objectives were to (1) evaluate the extent to which USAID’s design planning process for the Global Labor Program – New Frontiers addressed identified needs, adhered to Agency requirements, and considered good practices; (2) determine how USAID chose the procurement procedures for the Global Labor Program – New Frontiers and if those procedures were responsive to program needs; and (3) assess the extent to which the implementation of procurement procedures for the Global Labor Program – New Frontiers aligned with Federal and Agency requirements.

Key Findings

We found that USAID’s design planning process for GLP-NF addressed needs identified for continued global labor programming. USAID adhered to Agency policy and generally relied on good practices, results from related research, and lessons learned to inform the design of GLP-NF.

USAID’s decision to select the Broad Agency Announcement as the solicitation mechanism for GLP-NF appeared to be motivated at least partially by the flexibility to co-create innovative development solutions with implementers. The Broad Agency Announcement generally led to proposals that were responsive to GLP-NF’s goals and the programming solutions sought.

GLP-NF’s grantmaking process adhered to Federal requirements but not all Agency requirements and guidance due to a lack of accountability and clarity over staff roles and responsibilities. We also found that USAID did not follow a formal process in selecting the Peer and Scientific Review Board members who were responsible for reviewing proposals from potential implementers.

We made three recommendations to build on current successes, ensure complete adherence to Agency requirements, and document review board member qualifications. USAID agreed with all three recommendations.

E-000-22-003-M.pdf1.15 MB

Recommendations

Recommendation
1

Communicate to clarify roles and responsibilities for Office of Acquisition and Assistance staff working on Broad Agency Announcements

Questioned Cost
0
Funds for Better Use
0
Close Date
Recommendation
2

Conduct an assessment of trainings and resources to ensure that program teams working with Broad Agency Announcements are sufficiently prepared to fulfill their roles and responsibilities

Questioned Cost
0
Funds for Better Use
0
Close Date
Recommendation
3

Create a procedure for future Broad Agency Announcements that will ensure that the Peer and Scientific Review Board Chair verifies and documents the qualifications of the board members

Questioned Cost
0
Funds for Better Use
0
Close Date