Is this the next leader of USAID?

Will Alfonso Lenhardt lead the world’s largest bilateral aid agency? Lenhardt, President Barack Obama’s choice to serve as the U.S. Agency for International Development’s deputy administrator, testified on his nomination before the U.S. Senate on Thursday afternoon. “If confirmed, I will devote a substantial part of my portfolio to ensuring that USAID maximizes its impact for every dollar it spends,” stressed Lenhardt, who also hinted that strengthening USAID’s management, operations, and systems would be his focus at the agency. If confirmed by the Senate for the number two spot at USAID, Lenhardt would assume acting leadership of the agency should Administrator Rajiv Shah step down without another administrator being appointed to take his place. Shah’s career plans and the timing of his departure have been the subject of considerable speculation for some time, including a recent report from The Times of India claiming that the USAID chief was in the running to be named the next U.S. ambassador to India, a position that became available when Nancy Powell resigned in March. USAID denied the rumor. Shah, who turned 41 this year, recently oversaw the creation of what many consider to be his USAID legacy piece — the agency’s Global Development Lab. Lenhardt was U.S. ambassador to Tanzania from 2009 to 2013. He also served for over 30 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in 1997 with the rank of major-general, and was appointed Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper in 2001, the first African-American to become an officer of the U.S. Congress. Lenhardt’s long record of public service and executive experience drew praise from senators on both sides of the aisle — an early indication that his confirmation is a likely, if not foregone, conclusion. “The ambassador has clearly gained a great deal of experience leading large organizations in complex environments,” said Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.), who chaired the hearing. Pressed by Senator Timothy Kaine (D-Va.) on the future of USAID’s Afghanistan program amid the drawdown of NATO troops, Lenhardt reiterated that the agency was “not moving out” of the war-torn country. Lenhardt is the first nominee for the deputy administrator position since Don Steinberg stepped down last year to serve as president and CEO of the nonprofit World Learning. Mark Feierstein, assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, is currently serving as USAID’s associate administrator, “fulfilling the duties of the deputy administrator,” according to the agency’s website. Stay tuned to Devex for our exclusive series on the evolution of the USAID administrator, beginning in July on the Development Insider. Read more on U.S. aid reform online, and subscribe to The Development Newswire to receive top international development headlines from the world’s leading donors, news sources and opinion leaders — emailed to you FREE every business day.