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USA I D V I CE PRES I DENT ’ S REPORT
Sharon Wayne
Need Headshot
Together we are making a
difference.
2016 has been a
pivotal year at USAID and
words like “transformation”
and “redesign” have served
as the rallying cry.
AFSA’s persistent illumination of the issues members
identify as compromising to morale and the integrity of
the Foreign Service career is showing results. As your
AFSA VP, I have worked to uphold a strong, competitive-
ly hired, continuously trained, career Foreign Service
managed under a transparent personnel system in
accordance with the Foreign Service Act of 1980. The
majority of these activities fall under Human Capital
and Talent Management. The USAID performance man-
agement system has been a top member concern for
years and I have stressed that employee involvement
in developing a new system is not optional if it is to be
successful.
USAID has been fortunate to have leadership who
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appreciated that the weaknesses in HCTM were
compromising the health of the entire Agency.
The call for a complete overhaul of HCTM and the
involvement of Foreign Service Officers throughout
the process has been commendable. AFSA is currently
negotiating the proposed redesigned performance
management system. Last year’s initiation of a USAID
AFSA member standing committee has proven invalu-
able in serving our member’s needs. Everyone deserves
to be heard and continued member engagement with
AFSA regarding the proposed changes posted on the
HCTM website and continued participation in Agency
webinars, surveys, focus groups and mock pilots will
better ensure that the result is successful.
Our members are dedicated and wise and it shows in
your feedback. I want to personally thank all who’ve
participated in various ways for their passion for
USAID’s mission and the integrity of the Foreign Service
career and to congratulate USAID FSO, William Hansen
on his appointment to the Foreign Service Impasse
Dispute Panel.
Over the past year AFSA has continued to press the
Agency to address staffing challenges in a way that
delivers on the long-term goal of fostering a strong
and resilient Foreign Service, upholding the law
enacted by the FSA of 1980. When the Agency moved to
initiate hiring health officers at the midlevel, AFSA filed
a negotiability appeal.
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