The Foreign Service Journal, April 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2013 49 AFSA NEWS Division (Question 17) likewise made significant improve- ments. Its “poor” rating went from 23 percent in 2011 to 15 percent in 2012. Its “excellent” rating went up from 12 percent in 2011 to 20 percent in 2012 during the same time period. The office received many comments of appreciation from FSO clients. Agency Staff Morale Levels: A “good to fair” morale rating (Question 18) has remained consistent with that of the previous year at 57 percent in 2011 compared to 61 percent in 2012. The decline in the number of respondents whose morale is “poor,” from 41 percent in the 2011 survey to 37 percent in 2012, is encouraging. However, an agency where four out of 10 employees remain dissatisfied, must do better. The USAID Administrator’s Performance Rating:  The “poor” rating for the Administrator (Question 19) increased from 9 percent in the 2010 survey to 21 percent in the 2011 survey, and to 23 percent in the current 2012 survey. While those figures are worrisome, his overall approval rat- ing (fair, good, excellent) for 2012 stands at a substantial 78 percent. Overall Working Conditions at USAID: The current 2012 survey (Question 20) indicates a sizable perception that overall conditions of work are worsening, with 36 percent of respondees feeling this way. Nonetheless, the survey trend indicates there has been an improvement over the last three years; in the 2010 survey the level was 55 percent and in the 2011 survey the level was at 46 percent.  Concluding Analysis: The survey has clarified several important issues: • We have all been aware that the agency has changed significantly over the last three to four years due to increased hiring under the Development Leadership Initiative, which is now placed on hold. More than half of our FS staff have been with USAID fewer than five years and are younger and with different personal needs than FSOs in the past. Due to their demographic status, it is reasonable to predict that a sizable portion of the staff will begin to have children. This may mean there will be a greater need for more support services in areas such as education, medical and employment for compan- ions. FSOs are greatly concerned with work-life balance and may make career decisions based on that aspect, which could include the option of leaving the agency.  • Compared to previous years, morale has slightly improved, USAID Survey continued on page 50