Embassy Construction: Process for Determining Staffing Requirements Needs Improvement

In June 2003, State issued the "Guide to Developing Staffing Projections for New Embassy and Consulate Compound Construction," which requires (1) that Chiefs of Mission establish interagency committees to oversee the development of staffing projections; (2) that staffing projections show a clear and direct link between U.S. foreign policy interests in the host country and the post's staffing; (3) that the exercise be zero-based and "not assume existing staffing levels as a given;" (4) that each agency and section formally consider those factors which would likely result in changing mission objectives and staffing requirements; (5) that posts should complete the GAO Rightsizing Framework questionnaire when establishing initial projections, and review and revise their responses as appropriate when updating projections; (6) that all categories of employment (e.g., American direct hires, foreign nationals, commercial contractors, etc.) are considered; and (7) that posts consider, to the extent possible, improving operational efficiencies such as through regionalizing or centralizing functions, and relocating functions to the U.S. The Guide also establishes a timeline of key dates for developing and updating staffing projections. Although it is difficult to quantify financial benefits associated with these changes, GAO believes that the new guidance will provide for a more disciplined process and place greater accountability on decision makers at all levels. GAO also believes this guidance will reduce the risk of construction delays and of building wrong-sized embassies that are associated with past embassy construction programs.

The Guide requires that posts document all activities leading to the development of the staffing projections to facilitate reviews and updates of the staffing projections.

The Guide requires (1) that each agency head at a post provide written approval of the staffing projection for that agency, including the name and title of the headquarters official authorizing the agency's response; (2) that Chiefs of Mission certify that changes to agency staff sizes are in accord with the goals and objectives posts outlined in their respective Mission Performance Plan; and (3) that the relevant Department of State Regional Bureau review and validate the staffing projection with other State bureaus (e.g., Political Affairs and Consular Affairs) and other agencies prior to its submittal to State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. The Guide also recommends that once staffing projections are developed, proposals for on-going staffing changes, such as those under NSDD-38 authority, are reviewed in light of the staffing projections.