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News and Views

Vol. 23, March 2001

Short-Term International Technical Assistance

Introduction

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) receives, through the International Programs Division (IPD), many requests to provide short-term technical assistance and leadership in foreign countries. These assignments, usually up to two weeks in duration, are provided to foreign institutions for which the sole benefit is for the host country.

Participation in collaborative efforts with other countries of the world results in benefits to the U.S., and, in particular, accomplishments of the NRCS mission. Over the years, the agency's services have been used by over 140 other countries and by USAID as well as international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Bank. In addition to short-term international technical assistance activities, NRCS promotes international cooperation in agriculture to attain mutual benefits by participating in scientific and technical exchanges (News and Views, Vol. 2, Exchange Programs, May 1997). 

NRCS employees also share conservation technology and broaden and increase their technical knowledge and professional capability by attending international meetings, workshops, and professional societies (News and Views, Vol. 8, International Technical and Professional Society Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops, April 1998).

The funding authority granted NRCS by the Congress is limited to our domestic programs for conserving natural resources on private lands of the United States. Therefore, all international technical assistance provided by NRCS staff must be reimbursed. Assistance is provided to USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service/ International Cooperation and Development (FAS/ICD) on a reimbursable basis under authority of the Economy Act, which in turn provides assistance to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and international organizations under authority of the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act, as amended.

History

Over the past 20 years, agency specialists have participated in over 1,100 international short-term technical assistance assignments on a reimbursable basis. 

Some recent examples include:

Under the auspices of the U.S./South African BiNational Commission, NRCS helped the National Department of Agriculture and Provincial Government Offices in adapting the Field Office Technical Guide for use in South Africa. The initial design was to support the South African Landcare Program. This design has applications in developing appropriate technologies for small-scale producers in the United States. A national framework was established and workshops held to develop a strategy to institutionalize its development into the future.

The torrential rains of Hurricanes George and Mitch caused a great deal of damage to the infrastructure, cropland, forestland, and stream channels in Central America and the Caribbean. NRCS provided technical expertise to assess damaged sites and made recommendations to remove exigencies and restore/ rehabilitate the damaged cropland in Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador.

Soil scientists provided leadership to Nigerian soil scientists to help conserve, improve, and sustain a vast wealth of natural resources in what is now a fragile environment. The transfer of technology will continue to facilitate and promote potential trade opportunities between the U.S. and Nigeria, and will help in building a strong infrastructure.

Procedures

Requests for nominations originate from funding agencies and are forwarded to IPD directly or through FAS/ICD. Selection criteria are generated from a scope of work and generally include:

  • Technical expertise
  • Duration of assignment (and beginning date)
  • Required international experience
  • Language capability

After consultations with technical specialists, IPD works with FAS/ICD to evaluate the scope of work for completeness and accuracy in describing the required technical expertise. A decision is made whether NRCS has and can make available the required expertise.

IPD works through the networks within NRCS (such as technical divisions, program managers, and special emphasis program managers) to evaluate the candidates against the established selection criteria in order to develop a list of viable candidates.

After the best candidate is identified, IPD contacts the regional or state conservationist, center or institute director, or division director, and the employee's immediate supervisor to ensure they are aware of the request and concur in the candidate’s participation.

IPD continually promotes and supports the international participation of women and minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related fields. IPD maintains a database of skilled, diversified, qualified technical and professional employees in all grade levels and series capable of providing services to meet international needs.

Processing

An International Travel Request Form (ITRF) is completed by the candidate and forwarded to IPD either electronically or by fax. The immediate supervisor and the regional or state conservationist, center or institute director, or division director must approve the assignment. The ITRF provides IPD with the following information:

  • Name, organizational unit, discipline.
  • Purpose of travel.
  • Benefits to NRCS, if any--include assessment of nominee's effectiveness in carrying out the assignment and transferring technology on return.
  • Passport information.
  • Agency approvals.

Responsibilities

IPD, the employee, and FAS/ICD each have specific responsibilities in the process of implementing a technical assistance activity. IPD will provide overall guidance in this process.

IPD:

  • Gain agency approvals for each traveler.
  • Advise the traveler on immunizations and other travel preparations.
  • Secure official passport and visa.
  • Develop budget and submit to FAS/ICD for issuance of an Interagency Reimbursable Agreement.
  • Provide oversight and leadership as needed.

Employee:

  • Complete ITRF and secure approvals of supervisor and regional or state conservationist, center or institute director, or division director.
  • Work with IPD to secure official passport and visa.
  • Secure necessary immunizations.
  • Complete assigned work.
  • Submit travel voucher on a timely basis.
  • Write trip report for IPD, and many times, a report for the sponsoring organization.

FAS/ICD:

  • Issue travel authorization and tickets.
  • Secure country clearance.
  • Issue reimbursable agreement.
  • Process travel voucher.
  • Follow-up with host organization or country.

IPD appreciates the agency's leadership for consistently supporting involvement in short-term international technical assistance efforts. We especially value the commitment of supervisors and managers who were willing to adjust work schedules to enable their staff to participate these in programs. Our achievements and success have been a true team effort within NRCS.

News and Views, Vol. 5, Questions and Answers on International Travel, October 1997, provides additional information on the foreign travel process in NRCS.

Author and Editor:  Gail C. Roane, International Programs Division, PO Box 2890, Washington DC 20013, USA; Tel: 1-202-690-2212; Fax: 1-202-720-0668



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