From Systems Thinking to Practice: How USAID is Embracing Humility and Relationships to Do Aid Differently (Episode #04)
Abt Global Britain
Global leaders in research & implementation, specialising in climate, global health, governance, MERL & equity.
Welcome to Episode 04 of Systems Practice in International Development. We are delighted to introduce this limited series produced by the Portfolio MEL (PMEL) programme in Nepal, funded by the British Embassy Kathmandu and implemented by Abt Global.
We hope you enjoyed the first part of our conversation with USAID colleagues on their recently launched Local Systems Position paper. If you haven’t listened to it already, it is available on Apple and Spotify.
In part two, we’ll dive deeper into the practical side of systems thinking—exploring how USAID missions bring the Local Systems Position Paper to life, tackle practical implementation challenges, and rethink the role of donors to truly embrace systems practice.
Please note that the views expressed through this podcast reflect those of the hosts and guests only.
Listen to the episode here:
?Meet Your Hosts
Alexandra Nastase is the Lead Technical Director for Abt Global Britain and the Programme Director for the FCDO-funded Portfolio MEL (PMEL) programme in Nepal. With over 15 years of experience, Alexandra has led large reform and technical assistance programs aimed at improving public sector performance and strengthening civil society. In the past few years, Alexandra worked closely with several development partners, advising on development effectiveness by facilitating learning journeys for Thinking and Working in Systems, transformational partnership building and capacity strengthening, designing and delivering adaptive programmes for addressing complex problems. Alexandra holds a Master’s degree in International Security and Public Policy from the University of Oxford. Reach her at [email protected].
Ankeeta Shrestha is the Deputy Team Lead for FCDO Portfolio Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Programme implemented by Abt Global Britain . Ankeeta brings over a decade of experience in strategic learning, contributing to high-impact projects in health, education, and inclusion sectors. Her passion lies in translating theories and policies into actionable solutions that drive meaningful change. Ankeeta holds a Master’s in Social Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Reach her at [email protected].
This Episode's Guests
David Jacobstein
Democracy Specialist, DRG Policy, Learning and Integration Office, United States Agency for International Development
David Jacobstein has been with USAID for 12 years. He serves as a Political Economy and Localization Specialist in the Policy Learning and Integration Office of the Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Bureau, where he focuses on issues of capacity strengthening, systems thinking, political economy, locally-led development, and cross-sectoral integration. He leads work that has promulgated measurement and programming recommendations through the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy, and served as a co-author of the Local Systems Framework. He also supports training related to systems thinking and applied political economy analysis, and contributes to the design of programming focusing on civil society strengthening and advocacy, network strengthening, community engagement, and integrated governance. Previously, he worked for Pact and the American Bar Association supporting civil society strengthening and rule of law programming across Africa, Europe, and Asia. He holds an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS, where he also serves as adjunct faculty, and a B.A. in History from Brown University.
Monalisa Salib
Monalisa Salib is the Chief of Party of the USAID/Vietnam Learns Activity implemented by Social Impact. Her nearly 20 years of experience in international development includes long-term, field-based senior management and technical positions in Washington, D.C., Palestine, Yemen, and Vietnam. Monalisa was a co-creator of USAID’s Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) Framework and Maturity Tool and several other CLA resources on behalf of USAID.
Rachel Leeds
Rachel Leeds is a Strategy Analyst in USAID's Bureau for Planning, Learning, and Resource Management and a member of USAID's Local Systems Community of Practice. She led the consultation and drafting process for the Agency's new Local Systems Position Paper. She received her Bachelor's in Anthropology and Global Development Studies from the University of Virginia and her Master's of International Development Policy from Georgetown University. ?
We hope you enjoy the podcast and we'd love to hear your feedback. Make sure you've subscribed to this Newsletter for future episodes!
For more information on USAID’s Local systems approach, please check the links below:
Theory of Change Workbook: A Step-by-Step Process for Developing or Strengthening Theories of Change
This podcast is produced and hosted by the Portfolio Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) programme in Nepal, funded by the British Embassy Kathmandu and implemented by Abt Global.? Please note, the views expressed through this podcast reflect those of the hosts and guests only.
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2 个月Thanks, I enjoyed the episode!