Improving diversity in USAID partners

The U.S. Agency for International Development is continuing to look at measures to improve the diversity in its supply chain, agency officials told business partners during USAID’s business call for the third quarter of 2021. The agency tries to support new partners and voices in aid programs by including some opportunities that restrict applications to only small businesses or businesses owned by women, veterans with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups, as well as by increasing localized service delivery. But Erin Brown, interim coordinator for diversity, equity, and inclusion at USAID, said there is more to be done. “Given the increasingly dynamic nature and the complexity of foreign assistance, it is important that USAID reflect the American public that it represents, that we include diverse people and perspectives at the table, and that we address long-standing imbalances of power that define those who receive aid and those who deliver it,” she told USAID’s business partners. “As such, a key priority of the [U.S. President Joe] Biden administration and USAID’s administrator, Samantha Power, is to advance equity for underserved communities that have been historically marginalized in our country and in our world — not just internally ... but also through our programs and partnerships.” Signed by Biden on Jan. 20, an executive order on racial equity and support for underserved communities is driving an internal review on how USAID can improve its practices — and its procurement processes. “A key component of this executive order is a mandate that all U.S. government agencies … complete an equity assessment that examines potential barriers that underserved communities and individuals may face in accessing our programs, taking advantage of procurement and contracting opportunities, and the extent to which new policies or guidance may be necessary to advance equity,” Brown said. USAID’s equity assessment is focusing on three core areas related to foreign assistance. The first is program management and how USAID works with partner countries in planning, delivering, and assessing development programs — and whether a “lack of equity” and what the agency is bringing to the table financially impact relationships. “It is important that USAID ... address long-standing imbalances of power that define those who receive aid and those who deliver it.” --— Erin Brown, interim coordinator for diversity, equity, and inclusion, USAID The second focus area is the institutionalization of racial and ethnic equity in USAID programming, while the third is procurement processes creating financial or other barriers for underserved communities to partner with USAID. “On Aug. 9, we are required to deliver our equity assessment report to the Office of Management and Budget that will include both findings on the barriers to equity and recommendations for changes to policies and practices or recommend new policies or practices necessary to address those barriers,” Brown said. “After completion of the equity assessment report, I will definitely work with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance for avenues to share those findings with the partner community ... so that we can continue the dialog and work together collaboratively to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across USAID programs, our partnerships, and in our respective organizations.”