MS 123: Office of the Director of the Peace Corps Functions |
Date: 09/16/94: partial revision 11/18/03
Office: Planning, Policy and
Analysis
Supersedes: MS 123, 6/19/85, 7/25/84
Table Of Contents
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3.8 |
Senior Advisor for Staff Development and Human Resources Planning | |||||||
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1.0 Purpose
This Manual Section is the official record of the Peace Corps' assignment of
functions to the Office of the Director of the Peace Corps. This Manual Section
clarifies the Peace Corps' organizational structure, reporting relationships and
functions, including areas of coordinated effort and oversight responsibility.
2.0 Introduction
The Director of the Peace Corps oversees Peace Corps management and all
activities. Within the Office of the Director, the Director is assisted by the
Deputy Director, who performs such duties as the Director delegates.
The
following staff offices are discrete organizational entities within the Office
of the Director of the Peace Corps. The head of each office or staff reports
directly to the Director of the Peace Corps.
- Office of General Counsel
- Office of Congressional Relations
- Executive Secretariat
- Office of Communications
- Office of Planning, Policy and Analysis
- American Diversity Program
- Senior Advisor for Staff Development and Human Resources Planning (Human Resources Planning Advisor)
3.0 Functions
3.1 Director of the Peace Corps
Director of the Peace Corps is responsible for the following:
- Reporting to the President of the United States on Peace Corps goals and accomplishments.
- Implementing the Peace Corps Act.
- Providing executive direction to the Peace Corps, overseeing its programs and activities and establishing Peace Corps policy.
- Representing Peace Corps before Congress.
- Consulting with representatives of foreign governments and international organizations in furtherance of Peace Corps' mission.
- Consulting with the Secretary of State, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, and other U.S. Government officials to coordinate Peace Corps programs and activities with those of other agencies of the Executive Branch.
- Articulating Peace Corps policy, plans, goals, and accomplishments to the people of the United States.
- Working together with and receiving guidance from the Peace Corps National Advisory Council. The Council is designed to promote and further policies and programs established in the Peace Corps Act.
The Director's immediate staff and staff offices provide direct support as the Director performs the duties of that position. (Staff support and direction for the Peace Corps Advisory Council is provided by the Office of the Director of the Peace Corps.)
3.2 Office of the General Counsel
Office of the General Counsel is responsible for the following:
- Provides legal advice and assistance concerning Peace Corps programs and activities to the Director, Agency officials, Volunteers and others.
- Provides legal interpretation of the Peace Corps Act, as amended, related statutes, Executive Orders, delegations of authority, and other directives, regulations, or administrative issuances that affect the implementation of Peace Corps programs.
- Reviews policy information and regulations affecting the Peace Corps' relationship with Volunteers, staff, the Congress, host governments, and Federal agencies; participates in congressional presentations and reviews all agency publications for legal sufficiency and policy consistency.
- Acts as liaison with other Federal agencies and reviews and comments on proposed legislation, rules, regulations, policy or other legal matters which affect the Peace Corps, its programs, or its personnel.
- Prepares draft legislation and assists in the preparation for presentation thereof to OMB and Congress.
- Assists in the preparation of delegations of authority, directives, regulations, and administrative issuances.
- Assists in the preparation of interagency agreements and agreements with other parties pertaining to Peace Corps programs; prepares all Peace Corps country agreements, renders legal interpretations, and participates in the negotiation of such agreements.
- Reviews administrative determinations involving claims by or against Peace Corps, conflicts of interest, Statements of Financial Interest, delegations of authority, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act matters, the Peace Corps administrative issuance system and the observance of the Peace Corps' policies against involvement in intelligence operations.
- Reviews and comments on administrative determinations, which involve authority to expend funds, Volunteer enrollment, Volunteer and staff termination, personnel procedures, standards of conduct, use of foreign currencies, contractual matters, personnel security and other matters as appropriate.
- Reviews any other matter as requested by the Director or other appropriate Peace Corps officials.
- Where required by law or otherwise deemed appropriate, refers cases to the Department of Justice for prosecution.
3.3 The Office of Congressional Relations
The Office of Congressional Relations is responsible for the following:
- Plans, develops, and recommends Peace Corps strategy for legislative and congressional activities.
- Advises the Peace Corps Director and other senior Peace Corps managers on governmental and legislative affairs.
- Represents the Peace Corps Director as the official liaison with Congress.
- Coordinates with the Planning, Budget and Finance Department on matters relating to the Agency's congressional budget submission.
- Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on matters relating to proposed legislation.
- Coordinates Peace Corps' response to all congressional requests; e.g., requests for witnesses at hearings.
- Prepares congressional testimony to be presented by Peace Corps staff.
- Serves as primary informational contact for members of Congress, their staffs, and committee staff regarding Peace Corps operations.
- Provides research on legislative issues for the Peace Corps Director and senior staff.
3.4 Executive Secretariat
Executive Secretariat is responsible for the following:
- Channels the flow of information to and from the Office of the Director of the Peace Corps.
- Operates an issue and assignment monitoring system for the Director of the Peace Corps.
- Manages Executive and congressional correspondence addressed to the Director of the Peace Corps.
- Maintains official files for the Office of the Director of the Peace Corps.
3.5 Office of Communications
Office of Communications is responsible for the following:
- Advises the Director concerning the effectiveness of all Agency communications functions.
- Advises the Director and Agency managers regarding appropriate public affairs support of Peace Corps programs, internationally and domestically.
- Prepares speeches and remarks for the Director.
- Represents the Peace Corps with public and other agencies in the planning and administration of communications functions.
- Produces Agency publications and periodicals, in cooperation and consultation with program offices.
- Establishes and maintains rapport with media enterprises, reporters, free-lance writers, editors and researchers.
- Prepares and disseminates news releases, feature stories and other such information to print and broadcast media on a regular basis.
- Provides graphics assistance and expertise to entire Agency.
- Provides video programs and photographic services to entire Agency, producing video programs in cooperation and consultation with program offices.
- Advises Agency management and field staff on photography and video production, purpose and potential equipment expenses. Provides direction, programmatic objective information, conceptual approaches and technical assistance to contractors.
- Manages and administers Agency printing program, providing technical guidance to assure that program requirements are met. Advises as to the utilization of both the Government Printing Office (GPO) and General Services Administration (GSA) as well as Peace Corps' printing authority.
- Manages photographic library and archives.
- Handles information requests from the public.
- Develops and implements Agency marketing plan, emphasizing the agency's recruitment requirements.
- Manages design, production and delivery of all recruitment and other promotional products, including advertisements and all collateral materials.
- In close coordination with VRS, coordinates work of marketing specialists in 13 area offices and with other headquarters departments.
3.6 Office of Planning Policy and Analysis
Office of Planning Policy and Analysis is responsible for the following:
- Provides Agency managers with information to aid decision-making and increase the effectiveness of programs and operations. This information is obtained through such activities as data analysis, special studies, policy management, and long range planning.
- Manages and maintains the Peace Corps' policy and directives system through the Peace Corps Manual and other publications.
- Coordinates the process by which Agency policies are developed, revised, and approved.
- Produces standard and customized statistical reports from the Volunteer database.
- Conducts surveys of Volunteers and staff to evaluate satisfaction and contribution and to determine the need for improvements in Agency operations.
- Provides technical assistance on all Agency surveys and maintains master file of data/results from surveys sponsored by various offices.
- Designs special studies on Agency operations.
- Designs and manages long-range planning activities.
3.7 American Diversity Program
American Diversity Program is responsible for the following:
- Prepares policies and procedures and, interprets regulations, to ensure equal opportunity for Volunteer applicants, Trainees, Volunteers, employees and applicants for Peace Corps employment.
- Develops the Peace Corps' equal opportunity and affirmative action plans for the employment and advancement of minorities, women and persons with disabilities, including disabled veterans; monitors implementation of these plans and works with Peace Corps managers to ensure progress. MS 653, "Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Program" clarifies the Office of Human Resource Management's role in this functional area.
- Prepares and assists managers with the implementation of equal opportunity and affirmative action programs.
- Designates Agency EEO Counselors and Investigators. Develops training for Counselors and Investigators and serves as their coordinator.
- Administers a system for processing complaints of discrimination, filed pursuant to appropriate protective legislation, executive order, or Peace Corps regulations by an applicant, Trainee, or Volunteer for Peace Corps service, or by an employee or applicant for employment; drafts decisions and submits recommendations for the Director of the Peace Corps.
- Implements the Agency's special emphasis programs, including the Federal Women's Program and Hispanic Employment Program; and monitors the Agency's Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP) and programs for the handicapped, includingdisabled veterans. (MS 653, "Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Program" describes the Office of Human Resource Management's role in this functional area.)
- Implements a program to promote minority business enterprises and assists the Small Business Administration in carrying out its responsibilities for Section 8(a), Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Women Owned Business programs.
- Publicizes the Peace Corps' EEO program to employees, Trainees and Volunteers, as required by 29 CFR 204 and 45 CFR 1225.
- Analyzes employment statistics and affirmative action progress and keeps management informed; monitors and reviews personnel operations and programs, and recommends changes to conform with the requirements of 29 CFR 1613.202 and 29 CFR 1613.203.
3.8 Senior Advisor for Staff Development and Human Resources Planning
Senior Advisor for Staff Development and Human Resources Planning is responsible for the following:
- Coordinates the selection process for Country Director assignments.
- Redesigns and enhances the Country Director selection process in cooperation with the Regions.
- Initiates and institutionalizes systematic approaches to staff development, career development and succession planning.
- Provides support to the Agency in the area of outreach/talent search.
- Coordinates the development of outplacement activities.
3.9 Office of Private Sector Relations
Office of Private Sector Relations is responsible for the following:
- Establishes and maintains liaison with private organizations and institutions that have the potential for effective collaboration with the Peace Corps.
- Identifies, expands, and coordinates private sector support and participation in Peace Corps activities.
- Manages the Peace Corps Partnership Program, the Gifts-in-Kind Program and facilitates other donations in furtherance of the Peace Corps Act, such as for the Director's Fund and Domestic Programs.
- Assists Peace Corps employees in identifying private sector support for Peace Corps projects.
4.0 Effective Date
This Manual Section shall take effect on the date of issuance.