The Foreign Service Journal, January 2012

O n Friday, Nov. 4, members of the AFSA Governing Board, along with AFSA professional staff, met with representatives of 11 foreign affairs agency affinity groups. This first- of-its-kind meeting was a result of the Governing Board’s determination to in- crease outreach to these groups and en- gage their members on a more sus- tained basis. AFSA hopes that regular meetings will follow in the future. The 11 groups represented at the meeting were: Asian-Americans in For- eign Affairs Agencies, the Hispanic Em- ployees Council of ForeignAffairs Agen- cies, Veterans at USAID, the Disability Action Group, the Southeast Asian- American Employees Association, the Thursday Luncheon Group, USAID Young Professionals, Executive Women at State, USAID Blacks in Government, the Carl T. Rowan chapter of Blacks in Government andUSAID’sAmerican In- dian andAlaska Natives group. Though invited, the State andUSAID chapters of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies and USAID’s Asian Pacific- American Employees Committee were unable to participate on that date. AFSA President Susan R. Johnson welcomed the attendees and expressed her desire to make this a regular occur- rence. The assembly then divided into smaller discussion groups, each headed by a member of the AFSA Governing Board. The goal was to identify common concerns among the groups and where AFSA could add its voice and advocacy. A number of common themes emer- ged. Problems having to do with re- cruitment, retention, career guidance and mentorship, and reliable diversity statistics were at the top of the list. The need to find ways to strengthen the Of- fice of Civil Rights and its counterpart across the foreign affairs agencies was also highlighted. 50 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 A F S A N E W S V.P. VOICE: USAID BY FRANCISCO ZAMORA Dissent: USAID’s New Direct Channel O n Nov. 7, 2011, the U. S. Agency for International Development’s adminis- trator announced the creation of our very own dissent-type channel, called the “Direct Channel,”modeled after the State Department’s Dissent Chan- nel. While the Dissent Channel is and always has been available to U.S. direct-hire USAID employees, we now have the to ability address our concerns directly to our administrator. And, unlike State’s Dissent Channel, which is open only to U.S. di- rect hires, the Direct Channel is open to all USAID employees, including Foreign Serv- ice nationals, third-country nationals and personal services contractors. This event signals an increased willing- ness and openness to hear opinions, input and, I dare say, constructive criticism, from USAID employees. The extent to which we will benefit from this new development is up to us. But first, let’s take a closer look at what this channel is and what it is not. As with the State Dissent Channel, use of the USAIDDirect Channel is limited to dis- sent of a substantive nature; it is to be used as a last resort. It is an opportunity to comment on our development programs and to have our comments taken seriously. The intent of the Direct Channel is to promote uncensored, open, creative and alternative opinions; ideas that merit high-level attention, but fail to reach our top leadership. The newDirect Channel is not an avenue for discussing issues for which an al- ternative mechanism already exists. Personal complaints (including promotions or assignments), crime, unethical behavior, security or management issues can and should be handled by the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Secu- rity, the General Counsel or the Office of Human Resources, as appropriate. For those who are worried about being labeled malcontents or troublemakers, it is also important to note that (in addition to being assured that all comments will be held in the strictest of confidence) safeguards have been developed to prevent any reprisals or retaliation against employees. All submissions will be handled di- rectly by the deputy administrator’s office, where they are forwarded to the ad- ministrator. In line with the State Department’s Dissent Channel regulations, USAID supervisors are prohibited from mistreating or negatively evaluating an employee for using the Direct Channel. We at AFSA welcome this development. The Direct Channel will test whether or not the administration is serious about engaging in a discussion of sensitive policy issues with USAID employees. I can think of several topics that need high-level attention, such as consolida- tion of administrative services and the difficulties we face in implementing USAID Forward Reforms. I am sure there is no end to the issues, suggestions and im- provements USAID employees will raise using this process. I hope this quick sum- mary has you thinking about the substantive items on your list. For those who are worried about being labeled malcontents, it is important to note that safeguards have been developed to prevent any reprisals or retaliation against employees. AFSA Meets with Affinity Groups BY ÁSGEIR SIGFÚSSON, MARKETING AND OUTREACH MANAGER Continued on page 57