Project Description
From October 2014 to December 2015, Democracy International worked closely with USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) in South Sudan to provide monitoring and management oversight, strategic guidance, program analysis, and technical assistance on conflict mitigation and peacebuilding activities to the Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) program under the Support That Augments Rapid Transition (START) IQC. The VISTAS program is implemented by AECOM International Development.
Working closely with OTI, DI personnel served in key interlocutor roles with AECOM/VISTAS staff and traveled frequently to remote field site locations to monitor activities. They monitored and evaluated VISTAS initiatives, which included the process of reviewing and approving grant ideas and technical assistance in targeted areas to address pervasive drivers of conflict and evolving political developments in South Sudan. DI’s support also included the provision of political analysis, technical advice, reporting and support to OTI to manage USAID’s updated operational framework and strategy for South Sudan that was revised following the outbreak of violent conflict in 2013.