Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS )

QUARTERLY REPORT 1 October – 31 December 2013

This report was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the AECOM International South Sudan (AISS) Program Team. AECOM International South Sudan FY 2014 Q1

Report Type: Quarterly Report

Contract No. AID-668-C-13-00004

Period Ending: 31 December 2013 Prepared: February 2014

Prepared for:

Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation (OTCM) USAID South Sudan Mission American Embassy Juba, South Sudan

Prepared by AECOM International South Sudan 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 700 Arlington, VA 22201

Acronyms and Abbreviations

AIS AECOM International Sudan AISS AECOM International South Sudan COP Chief of Party CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement CBO Community Based Organization DCOP Deputy Chief of Party-Programs ERF Environmental Review Form GoS Government of Sudan GRSS Government of Republic of South Sudan HF High Frequency IO Information Officer M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEO Mission Environmental Officer NBeG Northern Bahr el Ghazal NCP National Congress Party OTCM Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation OTI Office of Transition Initiatives PA Program Analyst PMP Performance Management Plan RMG Rebel Militia Group RPM Regional Program Manager RSS Republic of South Sudan SAF Sudan Armed Forces SFPM Senior Field Program Manager SPLM Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement SPLA Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army SPLM-N Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement-North STCM Sudan Transition and Conflict Mitigation Program SSTCM South Sudan Transition and Conflict Mitigation Program STTA Short Term Technical Assistance SWIFT Support Which Implements Fast Transition USAID United States Agency for International Development WADA Wun Anei Development Association

Table of Contents

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 3 I. SSTCM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 5 Program Impact 6 Project Administration 7 II. PROGRAM PROGRESS & KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 8 South Sudan Overview 8 Sobat River Corridor 8 Wunlit Triangle 10 Border Areas – Northern Bahr el Ghazal 11 Border Areas – Northern Unity State 12 New Programming Streams 13 Cross-Cutting Issues 15 Lessons Learned 15 III. PROGRESS ON INDICATOR TARGETS ...... 17 Summary Indicator Table 17 IV. MONITORING ...... 17 V. STRATEGY AND PLANNING...... 18 VI. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION ...... 18 Administrative Constraints 18 Administrative Modifications and Improvements 19 Security Issues 19 Personnel 20 Changes in the Project 20 Contract Modifications and Amendments 20 VII. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNAL USAID USE ONLY ...... 21 VIII. ANNEXES & ATTACHMENTS ...... 22 Annex 1: Q3 Success Stories 22 Annex 2: Schedule of Future Events 22 Annex 3: Indicators for All Grants Completed During FY13Q3 23 Annex 4: All Active Grants for FY13Q3 27

I. VISTAS FY14 Q1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The objective of USAID's Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) program, implemented by AECOM International South Sudan (AISS), is to strengthen South Sudanese confidence and capacity to address the causes and consequences of political conflict, violence and instability. VISTAS’ strategy in South Sudan seeks to promote stability by supporting the capacity of key local leaders and peace actors at strategic flashpoints to be effective change agents. In South Sudan, pervasive resource-based, inter-communal insecurity is largely the result of weak political institutions and authority structures struggling to deliver services and security across a sparsely populated, underdeveloped, and sprawling landscape. The catalysts for conflict tend to be disempowered youth, who often have few educational and economic opportunities, ready access to small arms, and can be manipulated by political or economic interests. As a result, VISTA’s stabilization strategy in South Sudan seeks to enhance the capacity of local government and traditional authorities to monitor and mitigate conflict along key fault lines, engage at-risk youth with income-generating and livelihood activities that provide sustainable skills, and expand access to resources and reliable information among isolated and vulnerable populations.

VISTAS focuses on swift, strategic interventions that are intended to produce catalytic impact. These targeted interventions are calibrated to local conflict dynamics, while striving to formulate innovative pilot programs that create replicable models for success. Strategic partnerships with local change agents and progressive thinking/acting leaders have helped to provide sustainability and innovative thinking. VISTAS has also cultivated key technical capacities, bringing to bear resources and expertise in critical areas such as political transition and livelihood issues.

In addition to its stabilization and transition mandates, VISTAS is also expected to maintain a high level of programmatic and strategic flexibility over the course of the five-year program. A volatile political and economic landscape, a deeply complex and unresolved relationship with Sudan, and ongoing regional instability have fundamental implications for both national and local level stability and transition strategies. Highly personalized governance models mean that dramatic swings in policy can happen overnight with far-reaching implications, necessitating a politically-attuned, responsive approach to ongoing strategic calibration and development. VISTAS has institutionalized the tools to maintain ongoing and robust strategic analysis that feeds into long- term programming objectives, but also allows the program to respond swiftly and appropriately when the facts on the ground change.

VISTAS was awarded in July 2013 as a follow on program to the South Sudan Transition and Conflict Mitigation program, also implemented by AISS. Under the direction of USAID’s Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation (OTCM), AISS has focused the VISTAS program activity on three geographic clusters. Following the program’s entry into South Sudan in 2009, activities were concentrated in the Sobat River Corridor area of Upper Nile and Jonglei states, covering Ulang and Nasir counties in Upper Nile, and Akobo, Pibor and surrounding counties in Jonglei. In 2013, VISTAS added Uror County as a focal point in Jonglei state, and also works throughout the Wunlit Triangle, a conflict-prone region along the borders of Warrap, Lakes and Unity states where cattle raiding and tribal feuding between Nuer and Dinka has become rampant in recent years. Finally, SSTCM worked to prevent and reduce cross-border conflict along the Sudan-South Sudan border, in particular the border areas of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and northern Unity State, identified by USAID as areas of opportunity for engaging on migration and cross-border issues.

The political and security implications of the first quarter included increasing political tensions at the national level following the dismissal of the RSS Vice President Riek Machar, along with a complete cabinet reshuffle in July 2013 and Machar's subsequent announcement of his intention to compete for the Presidency in 2015, and by President Kiir’s disbanding of all the top-level organs of the SPLM party, including the Political Bureau, the National Convention and the National Liberation Council in November 2013. The security situation along the North-South border noticeably improved, opening space for expanded VISTAS programming along the border, although simmering tensions remained between Khartoum and Juba over both governments’ accusations of continued support to insurgents in the other’s territory. Key pieces of the September 2012 Cooperation Agreements remained unimplemented. Security forces remained inside parts of the Safe, Demilitarized Border Zone between Sudan and South Sudan and the free movement of people and goods across the border were at times denied. Meanwhile, both inter-communal and intra-clan cattle raiding declined in the Wunlit Region and Jonglei was characterized by a reduction of armed conflict between rebel David Yau Yau and the SPLA.

Toward the end of the first quarter, on the evening of 15 December 2013, political tensions at the national level erupted into an internal conflict after an alleged mutiny by a faction of the SPLA in the Presidential Guard. Fighting erupted in Juba and quickly spread throughout the country. USAID contractors received a mandatory evacuation order on 19 December 2013, when VISTAS staff were relocated to Nairobi, continuing operations through national staff still on the ground.

Program Impact

Key highlights from FY14Q1 include:

 Research for Transitional Activities Commenced – Two consultants were mobilized for field research over the quarter to expand VISTAS capacity to effectively understand and program in support of South Sudan’s transition to a country able to provide security, services, and opportunities to all of its citizens. This investment is expected to lead to a suite of new activities that are well-targeted, well-informed, and strategically leverage VISTAS’ in kind mechanism over the coming dry season.

 Boma Community Consultations – This grant assisted in fostering stability in the newly formed sub-county of Boma, which has recently been affected by the conflict between the three resident ethnic groups, including the Murle, Jie, and Kachiepo who share the region and its resources. This grant provided material and transportation support to the three communities of Boma to hold a large community consultation regarding their recent divisions and conflicts. The communities of Boma are located in the remote southeast corner of Pibor County in a mineral and natural resource rich part of South Sudan. This community faced some of the worst atrocities of the recent fighting between the Yau Yau rebels and the SPLA.

 Soft Border Support through the Sudan-South Sudan Dialogue Group project – This grant supported the development of impactful soft border policy recommendations by facilitating a border visit for the Sudan-South Sudan Dialogue Group (SSSDG), an informal platform for key change actors and institutions (Ebony Center for Strategic Studies and Future Studies Center from Juba and Khartoum). The grant supported transportation and logistical support for all participants to travel to Aweil and Warawar, where USAID via SSTCM and numerous earlier initiatives has worked extensively to lay the foundation for

a soft border. VISTAS provided guidance on technical components of the agenda and arranged meetings with key stakeholders including traders, peace committee members, and local leaders. Constructive debate on cross-border trade, inter-communal relations, and security helped this diverse group of stakeholders promote the transition of two viable states at peace between and within themselves.

 Tamazuj Trade Meeting – This grant increased cooperation and stability along the South Sudan-Sudan border through supporting a two-day meeting between 20 Dinka Malual and 20 Rezeigat traders, peace committee members, and community leaders along with Aweil North County officials. The meeting, which took place in Gok Machar, created a forum for discussions on key issues that will affect the upcoming dry season including trade, networking, and taxation. In light of the joint commitment from both Presidents Kiir and Bashir to support trade between the two countries, the Tamazuj Trade Meeting initiated dialogue with grassroots and local government levels on how the state- and national-level governments can best build on cross-border economic, social, and political ties to support peaceful and mutually profitable trade between the Republics of South Sudan and Sudan.

Project Administration

 Team Expansion: With an expanded contract from the previous SSTCM program, the VISTAS program was initiated this quarter with significant planning and preparation to both lay the foundation for the following five years, as well as for the upcoming dry season. The first quarter of VISTAS’ implementation was characterized by significant programmatic expansion with new national and expatriate staff hired. On the field level this included the introduction of Regional Conflict Advisors and an expanded logistics team in each field office, as well as a Stabilization Advisor, Security Specialist, an expanded Finance and Compliance department and procurement team, and the introduction of a Mapping, Monitoring, & Technology Specialist in Juba. This increase in staff lead to expanded office space in Juba, Aweil, Rumbek, and Bentiu, as well as investments in security through the installation of a new HF radio base station in Rumbek.. The new VISTAS team met in September, together with USAID for a Strategy Review Session (SRS), to build on knowledge, skills, and experiences to develop the VISTAS program strategy, produce a draft pipeline of grant activities, strengthen internal and external teamwork, and to enhance VISTAS in-kind grant making. The SRS was followed by a Boot Camp in November, which focused on operational and financial compliance and operational efficiency and cohesion.

 Relocation to Nairobi: The eruption of conflict on December 15th lead to the mandatory evacuation of VISTAS expatriate staff to Nairobi on December 19th. At the time of evacuation from Juba, a small component of VISTAS, including the DCOP, Monitoring, Mapping, and Technology Specialist, and Stabilization Advisor were tasked by OTCM to establish an effective information collection and management initiative in Nairobi, along with other emergency response units of USAID South Sudan. With one exception, the rest of the international staff continued with their Christmas/year end leave plans and joined the information management 'unit' in Nairobi at the start of the next quarter. The Juba and field offices were closed as of December 20th, as per earlier plans for the holiday period.

II. PROGRAM PROGRESS AND KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

South Sudan Overview

VISTAS engaged in its first round of grant implementation this quarter. VISTAS cleared 39 grants worth $5,258,558 this quarter. At the quarter’s close, 35 grants worth $5,107,014 were under implementation and 4 grants worth $151,544 had been completed or closed.

# Obligated Jonglei Region Total grants 16 $1,465,223

Jonglei is a large and volatile region that was saturated Grants cleared with small arms and proxy militias even before the region FY14Q1 16 $1,465,223 became the fault line of Southern Sudan’s split into internal strife in 1991. Since South Sudan’s Grants active 14 $1,380,569 independence, Jonglei State has been the stage of Grants closed/ particularly violent, cyclical inter-communal conflict, completed 2 $84,654 interlaid with insecurity generated by rebel militia groups reportedly supported by Sudan. Total disbursed to date: $128,272

During this quarter, VISTAS programming focused on four sources of instability in Jonglei state:

1. Disenfranchised, marginalized, politically exploited, and uneducated citizenry; 2. Unresolved inter-communal grievances, lack of reconciliation, and mistrust between communities; 3. Economic instability and the lack of economic opportunities; and, 4. Weak and politicized traditional and customary law/system.

VISTAS aims to support the transition of Jonglei in a direction of improved government services, including security for its citizens, transparency, and accountability. This is done through a collection of grants including the construction of government administration buildings, employment of youth, engagement of women, training of local government officials, conducting civic education awareness activities, and supporting local level and state level peace building efforts between the communities who have traditionally exchanged hostilities across each other’s borders.

During the quarter, 14 grants were cleared totaling $1,380,569 while 2 grants apportioning $84,654 were completed.

Notable highlights from the reporting period include:

 Real-Time Responses to Unfolding Crises in Jonglei State – VISTAS grants responded to the tensions in Akobo between the Anuak and Lou Nuer following the killing of the Anuak paramount chief. A group of high level politicians and community leaders was sent directly to Akobo in a charter flight to hold meetings with the two groups in an attempt to reduce tensions between them. The officials included MPs, the Akobo Peace Desk representative, a women’s group leader, and others from the Lou Nuer group. These stakeholders spent one week with the residents of Akobo and succeeded in mitigating any further conflict between the two sides.

 Help Peace Actors Argue for Peace in Jonglei State – VISTAS followed up on a SSTCM activity with the three communities of Boma and supported a 5-day community meeting which involved the Murle, Jie, and Kachiepo groups of Boma sub-county; Anuak civilians from Pochalla also attended. Support included charter flights of participants and food from Juba to Boma as well as cooking sets, camping supplies, a sound system, and a Thuraya phone for the grantee. The Boma Peace Desk carried out the activity with over 200 people in attendance for the discussions. Resolutions included agreements to live in peaceful coexistence, to cease hostile actions, killings and abductions, and follow up with further meetings and dialogues to support the resolutions.

Plans for program expansion include:

 Geographical Expansion – The VISTAS program intends to expand the geographical scope of its work by moving into several new areas of Jonglei State. This includes the newly commissioned sub-county of Boma, a part of Pibor County which has long sought to be its own county. Support to Boma is minimal from the state government and it is a critical area for stability in the southeast part of Jonglei State. VISTAS will thus engage with and support the Boma local government to further establish itself in the region. VISTAS will also expand into Nyirol County through the construction of one payam headquarter office and youth engagement activities. This county is critical to stability as it sits on the fault lines of the conflict between the Lou Nuer and the Murle tribes of Jonglei State.

 Youth Engagement, Capacity Building, and Infrastructure – VISTAS will also expand and develop further economic opportunities for the youth and women of the areas of operation in Jonglei. Expected activities will include training for county officials on the Local Government Act (LGA) and civic education for select counties in Jonglei State. VISTAS plans to construct four payam headquarter offices and one county headquarters to increase the government presence and capacity to govern in the underserved areas of Jonglei.

Wunlit Triangle # Obligated

The Wunlit Triangle area centers on the shared borders of Total grants 5 $703,500

Lakes, Warrap (both mostly Dinka) and southern Unity Grants cleared (mostly Nuer) states, where all-season water sources and FY14Q1 5 $703,500 grazing grounds attract cattle herders from around the region during the dry season. As a result, the area is an Grants active 5 $703,500 unwelcome host to frequent raids and cattle-related violence across the ethnic fault line, which sometimes Grants closed/ spiral into inter-group and inter-ethnic fighting. completed 0 $0

Total disbursed to date: $0 For the Wunlit region, four sources of instability were identified:

1. Competition and unregulated governance at county and payam levels; 2. National level political processes, through identity politics, reinforce ethnic divisions and undermine institutions; 3. Communities see socio-economic value in cattle raiding; and,

4. Inter-communal mistrust and hostility reinforced by socialized norms and local institutions

Based on these themes and approaches that proved successful under SSTCM, a regional action plan and grants pipeline were developed, with stabilized and enhanced relations between the region’s communities a primary goal – especially between the Dinka communities of Warrap and Lakes states and the Nuer communities in Unity state.

During the quarter, 5 grants were cleared totaling $703,500.

Notable highlights from the reporting period include:

 Rumbek North Peace and Reconciliation Conference – Supporting the Lakes State Border Advisor, Elizabeth Poth, and the Rumbek North Youth Initiative Committee for Peace and Reconciliation, this grant succeeded in bringing together Gak and Nielniel, the two Dinka sections of Rumbek North. The two Dinka sections agreed on resolutions that included the establishment of peaceful relations and collaboration and the resolutions were going to be communicated with the cattle camps and communities and eventually sealed through joint rituals.

Plan for program expansion includes:

 Extend Government Presence to Conflict Prone Remote Areas and Engage At-Risk Youth with Productive, Alternative Livelihoods – In the Wunlit region five construction grants were developed to be carried out over the 2014 dry season. The number of soft or non-construction grants rose to 12, with more grant ideas being developed for implementation during the same program period. Following on progress already achieved in the Wunlit region, and based on the opportunities created through the new five-year program, the Wunlit action plan and grants pipeline included a stronger emphasis on transition, while continuing to consolidate inter-communal stability. As a result, the new grants pipeline included new approaches such as the construction of a border market and the establishment of standing mixed sports teams.

# Obligated Border Areas – Northern Bahr el Ghazal

Total grants 2 $95,368 The VISTAS program in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBEG) focuses on strengthening existing cross-border conflict Grants cleared resolution mechanisms and processes, promoting peaceful FY14Q1 2 $95,368 interactions among border area communities, and Grants active 0 $0 increasing access to resources and sustainable alternative Grants closed/ livelihoods. A wartime legacy of proxy conflict between completed 2 $82,492 Sudanese pastoralist groups and the populations of South Sudan continues to threaten local peace, with implications for national stability. Total disbursed to date: $82,492 Three sources of instability were identified for the NBEG border area:

1. Nature of the border: threats to intercommunal relationships (trade, migration, social, and cultural);

2. Contentious South Sudan/Sudan negotiations and political processes; and, 3. Inability of local government/traditional authorities/committees to provide security and services

Northern Bahr el Ghazal has been relatively stable since the signing in March 2013 of the implementation agreements, despite the continued presence of security forces in the Safe, Demilitarized, Border Zone between South Sudan and Sudan and continued tensions around the status of Mile 14. The cultivation of strong cross border relationships and capacity building of local government have been two major themes within the NBEG strategy throughout the first quarter. Building on successful relationships from SSCTM, VISTAS continues to work closely with the Ministry of Local Government and the Peace and Reconciliation Coordination Office and established new partnerships at the government level with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Trade and Investment. Ensuring access to health care facilities at the border are important to the stability of the region and VISTAS plans to build a new primary care health unit in the border town Majok Yinth Theiu, which will provide critically needed access to health care for both Misseriya nomadic groups from Sudan and resident Dinka Malual. A deeper focus on traders and trade unions, which include efforts to support the state to streamline trade and tax policies, is also vital to reduce confusion and disagreements around trade issues and cultivate stability.

Exploring capacity of local civil society and national NGOs to help facilitate programs to foster positive and mutually beneficial relationships between the pastoralist Rezeigat and Misseriya communities and the host Dinka Malual is also a goal of the VISTAS program and the team has begun to research intervention strategies. For example, and in-line with a deeper engagement with national civil society, VISTAS plans to partner more closely with the joint border peace committees in Gok Machar and Warawar to build their organizational capacity.

VISTAS activities have continued to promote cross-border peace-building initiatives at the grassroots. During the quarter, 2 grants were cleared totaling $95,638, and 2 were completed apportioning $82,492.

Notable highlights from the reporting period include:

 Drafting the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders (COTAL) Bill – VISTAS is working closely with the Minister of Local Government, Lino Adub, on the final draft of the COTAL Bill. Initial planning is complete and VISTAS will support public hearing meetings in 30 select payams across NBEG State to provide local constructive input on the bill. These hearings are scheduled for early 2014. Additional support to local government includes the construction of two payam administration headquarters in Jorbioc and Mayom Angok in Aweil North County. Designs for the building and construction companies have been contracted to begin work in January 2014. Youth in Aweil North will also be contracted to produce the stabilized soil blocks for the two buildings.

 Supporting the Peace and Reconciliation Coordination Office – Building on the successes of SSTCM, close partnership has continued with the Peace and Reconciliation Coordination office in NBEG. This is through a flexible grant to provide quick, responsive support to the office to mitigate conflict at the border as it arises. The grant has supported three cross border meetings in the first quarter including two pre-migration meetings between the Dinka Malual and Rezeigat leadership on December 16th and 18th 2013. The grant also provided transportation support for Misseriya traveling from Meiram to a meeting in Warawar called by the joint border committee in response to violence that took place between Misseriya and Dinka Malual fishermen north of Majok Yinth Theiu. Led by

the joint border peace committee and VISTAS partner, Non Violent Peaceforce, the meeting was seen as a quick, timely response to mitigate further conflict between the two groups and successfully quelled any further fighting through mutually agreed upon actions.

 Facilitating the Sudan–South Sudan Dialogue Group Visit (SSSDG) – The SSSDG tour of NBEG achieved meaningful people to people dialogue with both government officials at the state, county, and payam levels as well as with members of civil society and representatives from the pastoralist Misseriya and Rezeigat communities. In coordination with VISTAS, SSSDG had successful meetings at the state level, a field trip to the border, as well as meetings with joint border peace committee members and the traders union from Aweil North.

Plans for VISTAS program expansion include:

 Reduce Trade Restrictions and Excessive Taxation – Capitalizing on Presidents Bashir and Kiir’s commitment to border trade in September 2013, VISTAS facilitated a meeting among traders in Aweil North. Both Rezeigat and Dinka Malual drafted and agreed upon a set of resolutions for the upcoming trade meeting. One reoccurring theme that arose during the trade meeting was the issue of double and triple taxation of goods as well as multiple checkpoints on the trade route. As part of VISTAS’ program expansion in the 2nd quarter, VISTAS will undertake a tax assessment on the trade route in NBEG, and look at where checkpoints and double taxation occur. VISTAS will work in close partnership with USAID partner CORE II who will use the assessment to inform state and national tax policy.

 Support Gum Acacia Harvest – As an additional commitment to engage trade system and livelihoods for both pastoralists and the NBEG host communities, VISTAS is looking to expand programming for cross-border gum acacia harvesting for women and youth. Investment in this livelihood activity will provide stability, mitigate conflict, and provide access to additional resources in an unpredictable environment.

Border Areas – Northern Unity State

The VISTAS Northern Unity State office focused on # Obligated identifying points of engagement to help mitigate cross- border tensions and build cross-border institutions through Total S3 grants 6 $963,500 strengthening local authorities’ conflict management capacity and promoting the economic advantages of a Grants cleared peaceful migration season. FY14Q1 6 $963,500

Grants active 6 $963,500 VISTAS programming focused on countering three significant sources of instability in the region: Grants closed/ completed 0 $0 1. Poor institutions, weak political will, and community level mistrust which spark conflict around cross Total disbursed to date: $235 border migration and trade routes; 2. Divisive politics and competition over the spoils of the state; and, 3. Lack of state control and strong ethnic tensions in Northern Wunlit Cattle Raiding

During the quarter, 6 grants worth $963,500 were cleared.

Notable highlights from the reporting period include:

 Establishing Women’s Groups – In order to diffuse local tensions, VISTAS commenced a series of women’s groups’ peace conferences in Abiemnom, Mayom, Pariang, and Rubkona counties. The VISTAS team worked closely with UNMISS Civil Affairs on conferences and each conference resulted in the creation of a local multi-ethnic women’s group dedicated to mitigating conflict in their local community.

Plan for program expansion includes:

 Support to Governance – VISTAS plans to target state and local government instability with an emphasis on the rule of law. Planned programs include those focused on the Local Government Act, region wide town-hall meetings, and minister induction trainings. Moreover, the planned construction of payam headquarter offices along the border will help facilitate the secure return of citizens to formerly vacated areas and the extension of government services while the planned construction of a town court in Bentiu will allow for an increase in the number of cases heard in the region.

 Support to a Soft Border – To promote cross-border stability, VISTAS will continue to focus on the implementation of a soft-border between Sudan and South Sudan. Moreover, the northern Unity team has proposed a region wide implementation of the Unity State Migration Resolutions from May 2013, complete with the creation of quick response teams for issue resolution and STTA monitoring and evaluation throughout Abiemnom, Pariang, and Mayom counties. Finally, VISTAS has also planned a trade-development program designed to help identify cross-border routes, establish and publicize taxation rates, train traders on common business practices, and build a border trade outpost in Abiemnom County.

Thematic Program Streams

New thematic program streams will be independent (but linked) grants working alongside VISTAS regional programming, taking advantage of VISTAS access and operational resources. The thematic programs will require specialized knowledge and will be carried out by STTA experts. These programming streams leverage VISTAS’ deep understanding of local and national level political and conflict dynamics into programming that addresses some of the deep-rooted structural causes of conflict. These themes will be explored and developed over the course of the program and will seek to unite deeply contextual, local dynamics with rigorous academic analysis to examine critical issues of citizen-state dynamics, political accommodation, community resource management, and national identity through flexible and responsive programming.

 Livestock Health: This program stream will support South Sudan’s livestock economy and pastoralist populations with conflict sensitive programming that constructively links pastoralist populations with the state and expanded marketing options. This will be carried out along the border in NBEG and Unity, with likely expansion to either Wunlit or Jonglei. Stakeholders include community animal health workers, ministries of animal resources and fisheries, Food and Agricultural Organization, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières, and

Animal Resource Departments. The program aims to reduce the mobilization of proxy forces of pastoralist communities and decrease the likelihood of border conflict. The Livestock Expert conducted research in NBEG and Unity between November and December.

 Pastoralist Outreach: This program stream will support VISTAS’ ability to develop conflict sensitive programming that constructively links pastoralist populations with state provided services such as literacy and civic education, focused in Wunlit and Jonglei. Stakeholders include camp leaders, traditional authorities, Ministries of Education, and other USAID partners. The program aims to create new inroads for VISTAS programming and facilitate institution building that supports pastoralist communities.

 Soft Border Support: This program stream will work to link local level populations and institutions to policy discussions being held in Juba and Addis Ababa regarding the national level approach to the border. Stakeholders include peace committees and civil authorities from the border, and Sudan and South Sudan negotiation teams. This program aims to create mutually beneficial economic relationships, increasing the opportunity cost of conflict, and support for grassroots development to make local government more responsive.

 Constitutional Outreach: This program stream will work to link local level populations and institutions to policy discussions being held in Juba. This program aims to incorporate populations in political processes, so that they are less marginalized and more integrated in the states, increasing government accountability, and helping citizens know their rights.

 Local Government and Conflict: This program stream seeks to implement recommendations that emerged from a conference supported by USAID in 2012 on the harmonization of customary and statutory legal and governance systems at the grassroots level. Specifically, the consultant will support VISTAS’ ability to educate and engage civil and traditional authorities at the county, payam, and Boma levels in five states on the local governance structures outlined in the 2009 Local Government Act, particularly with respect to the provision of security, services, and justice. The activities are also expected to engage directly with local communities, spark dialogue about the relationship between the citizen and the new state of South Sudan, and support the communities’ ability to demand accountability and respect for the rule of law from their leaders through a standardized training curriculum in areas where USAID has constructed county and payam headquarter buildings. The consultant has conducted field research in South Sudan in November and December.

 Grantee Development: This program stream will provide VISTAS with a consistent and predictable mechanism to provide capacity building training to select VISTAS grantees on institutional management, finance, and project management which will be carried out in all operational locations.

 Operations and Maintenance: This program stream will support the sustainability of USAID infrastructure investments including those under not only VISTAS, but also SSTCM and OTI, through systematic, long-term trainings and maintenance support for construction projects, photo-voltaic systems, and water use systems which will be carried out in all operational locations.

Cross-Cutting Issues

The in-kind grant making mechanism promotes and supports positive change amongst four main target groups—local government (state, county and payam administration), traditional authorities, disempowered youth (males aged 14 to 35), and women. VISTAS will build on groundwork laid by four years of programming under the SSTCM and OTI programs.

 Youth: Youth in South Sudan have the potential to serve both as peace actors and catalysts of insecurity. This quarter, the program continued its work to engage youth with income generating opportunities in order to expose them to alternatives to cattle raiding as a livelihood, create linkages between them and their local government, and enable youth to serve as positive examples for their peers. This quarter 15 construction projects were cleared that plan to engage, train, and employ youth in stabilized soil block building. A public works project in Pibor that would be implemented through targeting youth was also cleared.

 Women: VISTAS intends to capture the participation of local women from relevant conflict affected counties, areas, or regions in peace building and stability processes, by having a 35% representation in all grants. The women should have a substantive role in the peace building process or initiative, meaning a participant has realistic opportunities to share information and represent her own perspectives or those of a group she represents; to help define issues, problems, and solutions; and to influence decisions and outcomes associated with the process or initiative. This reflects program priorities to mitigate conflict through efforts to integrate groups deemed to be ‘at-risk’ with a particular focus on women. Other grants that will be focused on women include support for a Jonglei State Women’s Association Advisor and Women’s Conflict Mitigation Conferences in Unity State.

 Pastoralists: VISTAS will work to constructively link pastoralist populations with state and NGO provided services such as literacy and civic education, focused in Wunlit and Jonglei. Stakeholders will include camp leaders, traditional authorities, Ministries of Education, and other USAID partners.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

A number of best practices and lessons were learned from SSTCM and integrated into VISTAS as the new program was launched.

 Hiring outside expertise expedites targeted initiatives both operationally and programmatically. This strategy was utilized under VISTAS in this quarter to enhance rapid, efficient staff recruitment, a revision of AISS Standard Operating Procedures, organization of the Boot Camp, and programming which utilized STTA experts with significant South Sudan experience.

 Introduction of Regional Conflict Advisors (RCAs) into institutionalized South Sudanese strategic inputs in order to encourage continuity and local ownership in VISTAS strategies and strategic processes. The RCAs are based in a field office with frequent travel to various locations and provide research and analysis that supports VISTAS strategic development and activity design. The RCAs are expected to be an expert on the historical and recent conflict trends of the region, and possess a sharp political acumen. The RCAs

also support VISTAS coordination and representation, building grantee capacity and understanding of VISTAS objectives.

 Introduction of many new Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to expedite procurement. Under SSTCM, procurements were largely fulfilled via an ad-hoc system based on rolling requests handled individually. With BPAs, VISTAS is able to set up procurement contracts for a given commodity over a specified period of time (usually one year) in order to expedite procurement processes and reduce duplicitous work.

 A streamlined construction tender process based on best practice and experience from SSTCM was smooth and efficient and resulted in competitive, high quality proposals and efficient awards.

 New innovations in youth training on construction sites to be piloted. VISTAS has proposed and agreed on MoUs with the 2014 subcontractors, under which local youth will be provided on the job construction skills training. VISTAS infrastructure staff will monitor and test the youth on these skills and award certificates as well as small tangible rewards for achievements over the course of the 2014 construction season.

 Though VISTAS’ impact during the ongoing conflict is limited, there is value added in VISTAS supporting other, more politically-resourced actors in their efforts to stop the violence. In particular, VISTAS information sharing and strategizing with the U.S. embassy on diplomatic pressure points that can be applied has helped convey useful messages to the South Sudan government in a timely fashion.

III. PROGRESS ON INDICATOR TARGETS

Summary Indicator Table

Annual Quarterly Indicator Cumulative Target Achievement Number of people from ‘at-risk’ groups reached 25,000 144 144 through USG-supported conflict mitigation activities

Number of local women participating in a 35% of 1 1 substantive role or position in a peace building all process supported with USG assistance benefici aries Number of initiatives or new groups aimed at 50 outreach to pastoralist populations

Number of consensus building forums held with 40 2 2 USG assistance that end in agreement

Number of USG-assisted facilitated events geared 110 2 2 toward strengthening understanding and mitigating conflict between groups

Number of new groups or initiatives created through 50 1 1 USG funding, dedicated to resolving the conflict or the drivers of conflict

Number of USG programs supporting a conflict 65 and/or fragility early warning system and/or response mechanism

Number of activities in support of emerging political 65 1 1 priorities

IV. MONITORING

The VISTAS M&E plan is based on three pillars: 1.) The systematic evaluation of an activity’s immediate outputs and outcomes; 2.) Formal and informal rolling assessments that provide a continual snapshot of the evolving context and programmatic outputs; and 3.) Formal reporting including Cluster Evaluations, and Quarterly and Annual reports. Field staff draft and submit Activity Evaluations Forms (AEFs) to the Analysis Section – the Program Analyst (PA), Information Specialist (IS), Assistant Information Officer (AIO) – within one month of an activity’s completion. AEFs examine the suitability and design of implementation methods and procedures, assess sustainability and provide ideas for follow-on projects, and provide information about initial and immediate effectiveness and efficiency of the activity.

During implementation, rolling assessments from the field have been shared through Weekly Reports, ensuring an adaptive feedback loop, through which changes can be made immediately if needed. The Weekly Report also synthesizes and disseminates political and security analyses that functions as a rolling assessment of how activities are impacting the context of the program and responding to stabilization trends. These weekly rolling assessments are supplemented and expanded upon through strategic Cluster Evaluation Reports, filed up to six times a year, that link analysis of VISTAS geographic regions and thematic programming streams with USAID’s overarching transition and stabilization goals for South Sudan. So far in this quarter, there were cluster evaluations planned for youth and sports, Jonglei dialogues, soft border, and sustainability through facility managements. The Analysis Section manages these deliverables and their underlying information streams. Ad hoc input and support from field-based Regional Conflict Advisors may also be deployed, particularly for Cluster Evaluation, Quarterly, and Annual reports.

The new Monitoring Section introduced in VISTAS – the Monitoring, Mapping, and Technology Specialist (MMTS) with support from two field-based Monitoring Officers (MOs) – is responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and mapping of project outputs and outcomes. The MMTS coordinates the efforts of the MOs to support an information cycle that promotes real-time corrections in strategies and implementation mechanisms. MOs file regular reports to the MMTS tracking medium-term trends and highlighting developments that feed into Quarterly and Annual reports drafted by the Analysis Section. The MMTS also manages a database of GPS coordinates for the generation of maps in support of formal reporting streams.

The Juba based program team also conducts frequent assessment trips to the field to observe projects, meet with stakeholders, and conduct qualitative evaluations (focus groups, interviews, community meetings) of ongoing and completed projects. They work together closely to design and deploy tools to establish baseline assessments, to help inform project design and support meaningful evaluations.

Technical staff based in Juba, including engineers and consultants, travel frequently to the field to help oversee projects. The technical staff works directly with field based staff to gather information and analyze it in a way that can then feed directly back into programming and strategy. Construction Supervisors under the leadership of the Senior Engineer are also critical to the monitoring process, with reports on each infrastructure activity submitted weekly or as necessary. The Senior Engineer drafts Environmental Review Forms (ERFs) to ascertain potential environmental impacts of projects, and monitors and evaluates the technical performance of subcontractors.

Weekly program meetings at the Juba level between OTCM and key VISTAS staff to discuss grant development, implementation, and strategy are a further corner stone in effective project design and implementation. Additionally, the USAID/South Sudan Field Program Manager supports VISTAS staff through all aspects of project design, implementation, and M&E. This strong relationship provides constant fine-tuning that ensures that USAID implementation protocols and mechanisms are respected, and that the program is able to rapidly identify and respond to emerging priorities in its efforts to support South Sudan’s transition to a viable state serving the needs of its citizens ably and equitably.

V. STRATEGY AND PLANNING

From September 16-19, 2013, the VISTAS team, including members from the AECOM Arlington home office, met together with USAID for a Strategy Review Session (SRS). The purpose of the SRS was to build on knowledge, skills, and experiences from SSTCM and develop the VISTAS 2014 program strategy, produce a draft pipeline of grant activities, strengthen internal and external teamwork, and enhance VISTAS in-kind grant making. Program staff returned from the workshop with an updated strategic plan, a detailed indicative grants pipeline, and a comprehensive timetable of activity implementation. Over the quarter, program staff began implementation of grant ideas discussed and agreed upon with OTCM during the SRS.

From November 18-22, 2013, the VISTAS team convened in Juba for an implementation focused “Boot Camp” designed to bring incoming staff up to speed, provide a refresher for older staff, and revisit key issues for compliance, quality assurance, and efficiency. The boot camp also provided an opportunity for team-building and socialization of VISTAS goal of “Getting to Yes.”

A VISTAS rolling assessment was scheduled for December 19th but was cancelled due to South Sudan’s current internal conflict.

VI. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION

Administrative Constraints and Mitigation Efforts by VISTAS

 TCN Waivers – Due to VISTA’s responsive, flexible mechanism, it often would strongly benefit from highly qualified, experienced short-term technical assistance at short notice. Much of the available expertise may be from the region or Europe, thus requiring TCN waivers from USAID South Sudan, which may take a number of weeks to be approved in order for AECOM to provide appropriate allowances per its policies for international hires. While the Contracting Office has consistently been very supportive, the nature of the programming means that some stress is unavoidable under the current process and stated focus from USAID South Sudan to demonstrate inability to recruit qualified Americans or South Sudanese for these technical posts.  International Travel – A change in VISTAS from SSTCM with respect to concurrence of international travel from the COR to the CO was very well managed through the approval by the CO of a comprehensive annual international travel plan for both VISTAS international and national staff, as well as TAP related activity implementation, which would only require COR concurrence in advance of any specific travel.

Security Issues

During the quarter VISTAS carefully reviewed and strengthened its security protocols. A CCN Senior Security Specialist was hired to manage and ensure proper security procedures both in Juba and field locations. Physical security at the VISTAS Juba office was improved, and security/communications capacity was increased in field locations to ensure multiple channels of communication for enhanced management of field movements. Weekly and regular staff meetings enhanced the focus on security management and respect for security management protocols as the highest priority for all VISTAS staff and management.

The political and security implications of the first quarter included increasing political tensions at the national level following the dismissal of Vice President Riek Machar in July 2013, his

19 subsequent announcement of his competing for the Presidency in 2015, and President Kiir’s disbanding of all of the top-level organs of the SPLM party in November 2013, including the Political Bureau, the National Convention, and the National Liberation Council.

The security situation along the North-South border noticeably improved and allowed for consistent programming, although simmering tensions remained between Khartoum and Juba over both governments’ accusations of continued support to insurgents in the other’s territory. Key pieces of the September 2012 Cooperation Agreements remained unimplemented. Security forces remained inside parts of the Safe, Demilitarized Border Zone between Sudan and South Sudan and the free movement of people and goods across the border were at times denied. The security situation in Northern Unity was calm with the state government’s deployment of SPLA and police forces in Rubkona and Guit counties to avert renewed violence among feuding clans. Meanwhile, South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) forces were assembled in Mayom County awaiting integration into the SPLA.

Toward the end of the quarter, up until December 15th, the security situation was calm in the Wunlit Region, with a reduction of both inter-communal and intra-clan cattle raiding. However, there were unconfirmed reports that youth from Panyijar County had gathered near the border with Rumbek North County and intended to launch a cattle raid. Panyijar County authorities informed their counterparts in Rumbek North County and SSNPS and SPLA in the area were placed on high alert. In Jonglei State, while politicians continued to lobby for positions following the appointment of the former governor to the Minister of Defense post, the new governor had shown no immediate intention of reshuffling the current cabinet. In Akobo County, tension between the Lou Nuer and Anyuak subsided after the intervention of intellectuals and political leaders from the two communities. Meanwhile, tensions between Duk County and Uror County had declined significantly. Peace negotiations with David Yau Yau were yet to conclude, but incidents of insecurity and violence were greatly reduced, even amid reports that SPLA soldiers stationed in Pibor had not been paid.

On the evening of 15 December 2013, political tensions at the national level erupted into conflict after an alleged mutiny by a faction of the SPLA in the Presidential Guard. Fighting erupted in Juba and quickly spread throughout the country. USAID contractors received a mandatory evacuation order on December 18th, with VISTAS staff being relocated to Nairobi on December 19th, where most internationals connected to their previous holiday travel, and the Juba and field offices were effectively closed to the end of the quarter.

Personnel

With an expanded contract from the previous SSTCM program, the VISTAS program was initiated this quarter with significant programmatic expansion that required new staff. On the field level, this included the introduction of Regional Conflict Advisors and an expanded logistics team in each field office, as well as an expatriate Stabilization Advisor, CCN Senior Security Specialist, an expanded Finance and Compliance department and procurement team, and the introduction of an expatriate Mapping, Monitoring, & Technology Specialist in Juba.

Changes in the Project

The first quarter of the VISTAS program was characterized by a transition from SSTCM to VISTAS. This included an influx of staff and the physical expansion of offices, as well as the addition of thematic program streams to run alongside regional programming. Following the conflict that erupted on December 15th, VISTAS expatriate staff were relocated to Nairobi, with a

20 new focus on delivering quality information management and analysis of the South Sudan internal conflict to USAID by a specific group of VISTAS team members.

Contract Modifications and Amendments

Due to the very limited time for review and negotiation of the VISTAS award made on 9 July 2013, both OTCM and AECOM senior management were committed to an early modification of the VISTAS contract to address technical discrepancies and any significant changes in operational realities and programming issues that had changed since the issue of the RFP in March 2012. Modification 1 was duly executed by 22 October 2013, officially changing the new program name from SSTCM II to VISTAS and addressed the following issues:

1. Fixed fees; 2. Support to USG personnel; 3. Phase specific responsibilities; and, 4. Field staffing and administrative structures including Level of Effort (LOE), international travel concurrence, and the VISTAS procurement plan

Modification 2 was duly executed on 2 December 2013 and addressed the following issues:

1. An LOE issue from Modification 1; 2. Revised the language concerning the VISTAS procurement plan; 3. Added a responsibility for VISTAS to provide GIS capability to OTCM; and, 4. Provided for occasional 6 day work weeks for CCN staff.

VII. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNAL USAID USE ONLY

Budget Lines A B C D E F =C+D+E Total Actual Total and Projected Approved Obligated Costs Incurred Projections Projections Expenditures Budget (Mod Amount Through Invoice 4 Q2 FY 2014 Q3 FY2014 Through 2) Q3 FY 2014 Operations and USPSC Support $45,120,520 $13,012,110 $1,758,959.00 $1,673,026 $1,673,026 $5,105,011 Fixed Fee on Operations and $3,158,436 $910,848 $66,690.63 $65,185 $65,185 $197,061 Support Grants Under Contract $50,000,000 $14,419,281 $363,018.05 $363,018 $363,018 $1,089,054 Fixed Fee on GUC $1,500,000 $432,578 $10,890.54 $10,891 $10,891 $32,673 Non-GUC TAP $10,000,000 $2,883,856 $57,520.41 $57,520 $57,520 $172,560 Fixed Fee on Non-GUC TAP $700,000.00 $201,870 $866.29 $866 $866 $2,598 Total $110,478,956 $31,860,543 $2,257,944.92 $2,170,507 $2,170,507 $6,598,959

Notes: Budget Lines: Operations and USPSC Support = direct contractor activity (and indirect costs). It does not include grants, fees, or indirect costs on grants. Fixed Fee = Fee on Operations and USPSC Support Grants Under Contract = Amount available for grants (this number is entered into the Activity Database). Fixed Fee on GUC = Includes reduced fee on grants Non-GUC TAP = Includes labor, ODCs and indirect costs. Fixed Fee on Non-GUC TAP=Includes AECOM's standard fee on TAP

Column A – Represents the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) per the latest approved budget Column B – Obligated Amount represents the amount obligated per the latest modification/amendment. Column C – Costs expended and paid by the Contractor that have been billed to USAID. Costs incurred to date should be within the last 30 days or latest date available. Column D – Projected expenditures for the associated period. Column E – Projected expenditures for the associated period. Column F – Total Actual and Projected Expenditures for the associated period.

The remaining projections for FY 2014 are estimated based on the program’s historic burn rate, planned grant activities, and funding available under the current obligation in South Sudan. The ability to program these activities will depend upon the security situation, which has deteriorated this quarter.

VIII. ANNEXES & ATTACHMENTS

Annex 1: FY14 Q1 Success Stories

 Lou Nuer-Murle Leaders Meeting  Sudan-South Sudan Dialogue Group Border Assessment  Mayendit County Pastoralist Education

Annex 2: Schedule of Future Events

Date Location Activity Feb. 9 – 12 Nairobi CPJ Meeting February NBeG Aweil East and North Migration Disseminations February Unity Pariang Migration Meetings February Warrap Mayom-N. Warrap Peace Actors Forum March Nairobi Student Consultations in Nairobi March Jonglei Pibor Consultations

Annex 3: Indicators for All Grants Completed During FY14Q1

Number of people from ‘at-risk’ groups reached through USG-supported conflict mitigation activities Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual Rumbek North Reconciliation V-WUN002 Rumbek, Lakes 155 140 Conference

Number of local women participating in a substantive role or position in a peace building process supported with USG assistance Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual Rumbek North Reconciliation V-WUN002 Rumbek, Lakes 1 1 Conference

Number of initiatives or new groups aimed at outreach to pastoralist populations Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual

Number of consensus building forums held with USG assistance that end in agreement. Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual Reducing Tensions between the V-JON001 Akobo, Jonglei 1 1 Nuer and Anuak of Akobo V-JON002 Boma Community Consultations Boma, Jonglei 1 1

Number of USG-assisted facilitated events geared toward strengthening understanding and mitigating conflict between groups

Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual Reducing Tensions between the V-JON001 Akobo, Jonglei 1 1 Nuer and Anuak of Akobo Rumbek North Reconciliation V-WUN002 Rumbek, Lakes 1 1 Conference

Number of new groups or initiatives created through USG funding, dedicated to resolving the conflict or the drivers of conflict Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual V-NBG002 Tamazuj Trade Meeting Aweil North 1 1

Number of USG programs supporting a conflict and/or fragility early warning system and/or response mechanism Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual

Number of activities in support of emerging political priorities

Grant Grant Title Location Expected Actual Soft Border Support through the V-NBG001 Sudan-South Sudan Dialogue Juba 1 1 Speaker Series

Annex 4: All Active Grants for FY14 Q1

A detailed listing of all grants active during FY14 Q1 is available upon request.