USAID is deciding how to award its heftiest contracts ever — so big, in fact, that the competition to win them “could permanently alter the U.S. contracting landscape,” writes David Ainsworth.
There are already at least 200 companies preparing to bid for a slice of the $17 billion pie. The NextGen Global Health Supply Chain contracts will replace the current $10.5 billion Global Health Supply Chain contract and will form the backbone of flagship global health programs such as the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President’s Malaria Initiative.
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While Chemonics run more than 90% of the current contracts, the NextGen iteration is set to be shared between nine prime contracts, ranging in size from tens of millions to billions of dollars. One contract, worth nearly $300 million, is even being produced just to centrally coordinate the work of the other eight prime contractors.
So what will the others do? Here’s everything we know so far.
Devex Pro: USAID's $17B NextGen contracts
More for Pro subscribers: Chemonics recently launched a new supply chain services subsidiary that is part of wider thinking about how to adapt its business model to a post-COVID-19 world, influenced by the pressures of climate change and localization.
+ Stay tuned for more on these contracts. Given their critical importance to U.S. global health programs, the amount of money involved, and the fact that the current project encountered some big challenges at the outset, Devex will be following as the contracts are awarded, the work begins, and beyond.
Often overlooked, ignored, or oppressed, the rights and work of Indigenous people are seen by many campaigners as crucial to climate justice and environmental stewardship — so a new funding initiative aims to make it easier for donors to give directly to them.
The Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative wants to help raise $10 billion to support the recognition of Indigenous land rights by 2030. Right now, just 1% of the billions in climate funding goes toward Indigenous and local communities around the world. And then, just a small percentage has been dedicated to securing land rights, Solange Bandiaky-Badji, coordinator at the Rights and Resources Initiative, tells Stephanie Beasley.
Read: New fund aims to raise $10B for Indigenous people to protect forests
Related: Strong land tenure equips rural people with the tools they need to address climate change.
After a year of bitter aid cuts, a campaign was launched by British NGOs last night in defense of humanitarian and development work.
“Support for the aid sector is in decline — both in funding and broader engagement,” says Simon Capper, head of performance and insight at WaterAid. “Many members of the public want to make a contribution towards positive change in the world, but they are starting to doubt that this is achievable through support of international institutions.”
The campaign aims to “reignite the belief that it is possible for all of us to make a difference,” Capper adds. “We are making progress every day, thanks to the helpers; from donors to aid workers, vocal supporters to taxpayers.”
But not everybody’s happy about it, with some believing the campaign “perpetuates the dependency narrative and implies saviourism,” says Martin Drewry, CEO at Health Poverty Action. Scottish NGOs released a blog voicing similar concerns.
Take a look at the video and see for yourself.
+ Explore our timeline of U.K. aid cuts, and watch a recording of a Devex Pro Live discussing the decline of U.K. aid. Not yet a Pro subscriber? Sign up now to start your 15-day free trial.
Fully vaccinated vulnerable people in countries with poor COVID-19 vaccine coverage should be prioritized for a booster shot over people who have received no vaccine at all, according to the World Health Organization.
Why? WHO advisers think this will “usually yield greater reductions in severe disease and death than use of equivalent vaccine supply to increase the primary vaccination series coverage rates of lower risk priority use groups.”
Read: Boost high-risk groups before first COVID doses for low risk, says WHO
+ For more on COVID-19, and vaccine rollout and equity, sign up for Devex CheckUp, the must-read weekly newsletter for exclusive global health news and insider insights.
New year, new job? If you’re thinking of taking the freelance plunge, it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. This event, hosted by Careers Editor Justin Sablich, is a good place to start. Career Account members and Pro subscribers can find out:
• How to identify signs that consulting is a good fit.
• The pros and cons of consulting work.
• The personality traits and skills that lead to successful consulting.
• How to get started and market yourself as an independent consultant.
Watch: Is global development consulting right for you? (Career Account)
ICYMI: For Career Account members, we curated the best career tips to help you succeed in the new year.
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Guinea, Iran, and Vanuatu had their voting rights at the United Nations restored Monday after paying their membership dues. [VOA]
At yesterday’s WHO executive board meeting, the Ethiopian envoy’s speech was cut short for criticizing the global body’s current chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. [Reuters]
A ship bound for Tonga to deliver humanitarian aid will be kept at sea after a COVID-19 outbreak among its crew members. [The Guardian]
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