Aid to Libya
Problem Statement
The problem our group was tasked with was to create a more efficient way for USAID to monitor and evaluate foreign aid programs in austere environments. Throughout the semester, we have worked with our problem sponsor, a program director for the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in Africa, as well as other experts in the field to get a deeper, more holistic understanding of the problem. What we came to realize was that the problem was not based in a lack of data collection, but was largely an organizational and communication issue between USAID and their implementing partners. We are an interdisciplinary group of JMU undergraduate students – studying International Affairs, Biology and Marketing – who want to create a platform that allows all stakeholders to efficiently coordinate the distribution of foreign aid in order to help more people, while limiting spending and waste.
Solution
Throughout the semester, we have worked with the USAID program director for the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in Africa (our sponsor), analysts from various implementing partners to better understand how they collect data, and different GIS experts in order to create a product that would effectively solve our problem. As a team, we have worked to develop an ArcGIS online portal that will allow implementing partners to submit reports via online surveys specific to their cluster of aid, and will provide USAID with real time progress updates on current programs. The Collective Action Portal (CAP) has surveys organized by the different clusters of aid, through which implementing partners will report data collected for ongoing programs. Each survey is linked to a particular layer on the interactive map that we have created, and therefore when a response is submit, the data is immediately archived in a CSV and simultaneously appears on the map. The map itself provides a holistic view of the various aid programs that are being reported on, and allows both USAID and implementing partners to click through points or polygons on the map to view more details about each specific program. The data will be verified for quality control by the implementing partners themselves, USAID and third parties when necessary. Our portal will standardize and streamline the reporting process for all implementing partners, will centralize the data collected into one portal, and will improve accessibility and coordination for both USAID and implementing partners.
USAID Collective Action Portal Overview
Meet the Team
Dan Paine
Dan was born and raised in Long Valley, New Jersey. He has always had a passion for nature and health which lead him to become a Biology Major at James Madison University. He is specifically interested in environmental ecology and wants to pursue a career in ecological research and discovery to learn how humans can live a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle. In his free time he enjoys hiking, playing soccer and basketball, and spending time with friends and family.
Sydnie Marshall
Sydnie Marshall is a senior International Affairs major at James Madison University with a concentration in Foreign Policy and Global Governance and a minor in Asian Studies. During her time at JMU, she has been a legislative intern for the Foreign Affairs portfolio of the office of Senator Cortez Masto and a student representative for the Political Science Department Alumni Board. She has attained a Basic Certificate in Non-Proliferation & Disarmament from the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium and a Certification of Completion of the Cyber-diplomacy Course, issued by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. She believes the skills she has attained from these experiences will help with her aspirations of a future career in Foreign Service.
Talia Pavese
Talia Pavese is a senior marketing major at James Madison University, with minors in Computer Information Systems and Global Supply Chain Management. Throughout her time at JMU, Talia placed 1st in the Jackson-Rainey business plan competition, and currently serves as the VP of Project Management for American Marketing Association, allowing her to enhance her leadership and problem-solving skills. Through her involvement in the Association for Supply Chain Management, Talia is able to help collect and coordinate the delivery of medical aid to Ethiopia, a cause in which she is passionate about. Following gradation in May 2022, Talia will be moving to Arlington, VA to start her career as an Analyst for Deloitte Consulting.
Francesca Ragonese
Francesca Ragonese is a Senior International Affairs Major with a concentration in Global Human Development and a Minor in Sociology. During her time at JMU she has served two executive positions for Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Society, including New Member Director and Vice President. She currently serves as the Head of Intercultural Affairs for Students Against Sexual Violence coalition. These experiences have provided her with the leadership, communication, problem-solving and team management skills needed to navigate the professional world. Francesca is passionate about women’s rights, human development and security, and global equity, and she hopes to pursue a career in the Non-profit or Development sector following graduation in May 2022.
Eliza Futa
Eliza Futa is a Senior majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Global Human Development and minors in Humanitarian Affairs and African, African American, and Diaspora Studies. She is currently a Diversity Educator with DEEP Impact through JMU’s Center of Multicultural Student Services and a member of Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Society. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium, she recently obtained American Citizenship – making her a dual citizen of Belgium and the U.S.. Her interests lie in international development, focused on women and children’s education in sub-saharan Africa. She is on track to graduating in December of 2021 and will be joining the State Department for a summer internship starting in May of 2022.