USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum – Grants Compliance Training
Location: Accra, Ghana
Date: May 29 – June 09 2017
Expert: Hazem Mansour
1. Executive Summary
From May 29 to June 09, 2017, Hazem Mansour conducted a technical assistance mission in Accra, Ghana. The primary focus was to deliver a comprehensive Grants Compliance Training for subrecipients of a project in Ghana. The training successfully addressed varying levels of experience among participants, ensuring a standardized understanding of U.S. Government (USG) and State Department regulations.
2. Project Background & Objectives
The “Strengthening the Care Continuum” project operates within a complex regulatory environment requiring strict adherence to federal mandates.
Primary Objective
The central goal was to fulfill grantee capacity building through targeted Grants Compliance Training.
Specific Learning Goals
- Regulatory Framework: Understanding USG and State Department regulations.
- Subaward Mastery: Improving the understanding of specific subaward documents and the ability to reference governing rules.
- Internal Controls: Introducing best practices for business processes and internal financial controls.
- Reporting: Broadening the understanding of financial reporting requirements.
3. Methodology and Preparation
The mission was divided into three distinct phases: Consultation, Customization, and Implementation.
Preliminary Meetings
Upon arrival, the trainer held an entrance meeting with the Chief of Party (COP), and the Director of Finance and Administration (FAD). Subsequent meetings with the Grants Manager and Grants Officer helped tailor the training to specific grantee needs.
Content Development
To ensure engagement, presentations were edited to include:
- Real-world examples and information updates.
- Practical exercises and group discussions to reinforce complex regulations.
- Collaborative sessions where roles and responsibilities were assigned among the project staff.
4. Training Curriculum
The three-day training (June 5–7, 2017) covered 14 comprehensive sessions.
| Session Category | Key Topics Covered |
| Regulatory Foundation | Making USG Regulations EASY; Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (2 CFR 200). |
| Operational Compliance | Lifecycle of a Project; Documentation Requirements; Finance and Performance Monitoring. |
| Governance & Ethics | Accountability and Fraud; Branding and Marking; Shared Cost Allocations. |
| Project Specifics | Understanding Your Subaward; Grants Management Issues. |
Interactive Components
The training utilized hands-on learning, including a CFR Website practical online session (www.ecfr.gov), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) example for cost allocation, and seven scenario-based discussions for Cost Principles.
5. Evaluation and Outcomes
Participant feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction and successful knowledge transfer.
Performance Metrics
- Trainer Knowledge & Preparation: 100% of participants agreed the trainer was knowledgeable and well-prepared.
- Objectives Met: 100% of participants agreed the training objectives were clearly defined and achieved.
- Relevance: 96% of participants felt the topics were relevant and the experience would be useful in their work.
Areas for Improvement (based on the participants recommendations)
- Time Allotment: Only 78% of participants felt the time was sufficient; 4 participants explicitly disagreed, noting the period was too short for the depth of content.
- Facilities: 70% found the meeting room comfortable, while 2 participants strongly disagreed with the adequacy of the facilities.
6. Recommendations for Sustainability
To maintain compliance and build on the training’s momentum, the following recommendations were provided to the FAD and Grants Manager.
- Continuous Monitoring: Conduct regular site visits to grantee offices to ensure ongoing compliance with 2 CFR 200 and organizational policies.
- Performance Support: Provide direct follow-up to ensure noticeable improvements in upcoming financial reports and documentation.
- Targeted Intervention: Schedule individual meetings with grantees to discuss and rectify specific weaknesses.
- Policy Enforcement: Ensure all internal procedures and policies are fully implemented across all subrecipients.