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FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO IO COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 STATE 129010 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT AFIN KSPR ABUD UN
SUBJECT: FY 2011 MISSION STRATEGIC PLAN (MSP) GUIDANCE FOR IO MISSIONS 
 
FOR COMS, DCMS, MGT COUNSELORS, AND MSP COORDINATORS FROM ACTING IO 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY JAMES WARLICK 
 
¶1.  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
SUMMARY - Para 2 
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS POLICY OVERVIEW AND 
GUIDANCE - Paras 3-9 
MSP OVERVIEW AND GUIDANCE - Paras 10-32 
FUNCTIONAL BUREAU GUIDANCE 
--Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) - Para 33 
--Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs (EEB) - Para 34 
--Office of International Women's Issues (G/IWI) - Para 35 
--Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) - Para 
36 
--Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) 
- Paras 37-38 
--Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) - Para 
39 
--Bureau of Oceans, and International Environment and Scientific 
Affairs (OES) - Para 40 
--Public Diplomacy - Para 41 
--Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) - Paras 42-43 
--Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization 
..(S/CRS) - Para 44 
--Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) - Para 45 
--Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) - Para 46 
--Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation (VCI) - 
Paras 47-48 
MANAGEMENT BUREAU GUIDANCE 
--Foreign Service Institute (FSI) - Para 49 
--Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) - Para 50 
--Office of Policy, Rightsizing and Innovation (M/PRI) - Para 51 
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE Guidance - Paras 
52-69 
 
 
¶2.  SUMMARY:  The following cable provides consolidated guidance from 
Washington to missions for the preparation of FY 2011 Mission 
Strategic Plans (MSP). This cable is divided into the following 
sections: Regional Bureau Guidance; Bureau of Resource Management 
(RM), Office of Strategic and Performance Planning Overview and 
Guidance; Functional Bureau Guidance; and Management Bureau Guidance. 
 End Summary 
 
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS POLICY OVERVIEW AND 
GUIDANCE 
 
¶3.  Importance of MSPs:  In an increasingly challenging budget 
environment, it is ever more important that IO and IO missions 
demonstrate that we are directing scarce resources to Department 
priorities and achieving concrete results.  Well-written and 
justified MSPs are critically important to IO's strategic planning. 
They will become the basis for development of the Bureau Strategic 
Plan.  More importantly, the MSPs will illustrate  IO's formal FY 
2011 budget presentation before the Secretary at the Senior Policy, 
Performance, and Resource Review and the Department's FY 2011 budget 
submission to OMB and Congress.  IO's ability to successfully prepare 
and defend missions' resource requests throughout subsequent phases 
of the budget cycle is greatly dependent upon the strength of 
justifications provided in the MSP. 
 
¶4.  Vision, Priorities, and Strategy 
 
-- By 2011, we hope for tangible progress toward a world in which 
U.S. foreign policy goals are advanced through results-driven, 
transparent, accountable, and efficient international organizations. 
These goals include speedy and effective UNSC responses to threats 
against peace and security; stronger multilateral mechanisms for 
counterterrorism, nonproliferation of WMD, democracy promotion, and 
respect for human rights, human dignity, and the rule of law; 
widespread acceptance at multilateral institutions of the MCC 
principles; standard-setting; in technical fields of importance to 
the U.S. economy and international cooperation to promote sustainable 
economic development, education for all, the cure and prevention of 
diseases, and reduction of threats to health; the development of more 
efficient frameworks for quick delivery of humanitarian assistance 
carefully targeted to those in need; and substantially increased 
global recognition of the United States for its leadership and 
generosity. 
 
-- We believe that a multilateral approach offers important 
opportunities and comparative advantages for advancing U.S. foreign 
policy and assistance priorities, including leverage, cost sharing, 
access, expertise, and coordination. 
 
-- Each mission should determine its own specific performance goals. 
The performance goals your mission includes in its MSP should reflect 
the mission's highest priorities.  Topics in Paragraphs 4 - 6 should 
 
STATE 00129010  002 OF 012 
 
 
be addressed in the MSP, either in the COM Statement or in Goal 
Papers.  Missions should use indicators that demonstrate the 
importance of IO missions' work in carrying out the Department's 
highest goals. 
 
--  We aim to achieve U.S. goals by shaping the priorities and 
direction of international organization programs and activities, and 
by working to counteract initiatives not in the interest of the 
United States.  We use expertise (Washington-, Mission-, Embassy-, 
and U.S. delegation-based) to articulate U.S. values and advance U.S. 
positions with officials of international organizations and 
representatives of other Member States; listen to, inform, and 
attempt to persuade foreign publics to influence their governments to 
work with us; collaborate with other USG agencies and Department 
bureaus in the pursuit of priorities and initiatives; and provide 
tactical expertise, budget oversight, institutional focus, conference 
management, and delegate administration. 
 
¶5.  References:  Missions should refer to the following sources when 
developing MSPs: 
 
--  FY 2007-2012 State/USAID Strategic Plan (IO Chapter, Pages 
56-57):  [http://www.state.gov/ s/d/rm/rls/dosstrat/2007/]. 
 
--  IO FY 2010 BSP:  [http://spp.rm.state.gov/ 
uploadedFiles/BSP/FY10BSP/IO_FY10BSP(6).doc]. 
 
¶6.  Considerations 
 
--  Transparent, Accountable, and Outcome-Oriented Organizations, 
Programs, and Funds:  As the largest financial contributor to the UN 
system, the United States Government has a vested interest in 
ensuring that UN organizations are transparent and accountable in the 
management of resources.  Missions should set goals that will make UN 
entities more outcome-oriented by linking resource levels to program 
performance, ensuring credible and independent oversight, and 
fostering a culture of ethical conduct.  Please refer to UNTAI 
Section on the IO website [http://io.state.gov] for more information. 
 
--  Voting Coincidence Improvement:  With the goal of improving the 
voting coincidence of Member States with the United States in various 
international organizations and bodies, we encourage missions to 
consider initiatives to influence voting bloc dynamics (e.g., finding 
issue-specific possibilities for engagement with the G-77/NAM or 
other blocs, identifying confidence-building measures, developing, or 
enhancing alternative coalitions, etc.). 
 
--  American Employment in International Organizations:  As part of 
our resource management reform efforts, we seek highly qualified 
individuals for international organization positions.  One aspect of 
that effort includes the IO priority of increasing American citizen 
employment in international organizations.  Where appropriate, 
missions should refer to this priority. 
 
--  Furthering U.S. Policies and Highlighting American Leadership and 
Generosity in the UN and Other International Organizations through IO 
Public Diplomacy (PD):  Please see Paragraph 41 for R's guidance 
regarding PD.  All IO missions should incorporate PD in the MSP. 
Chief of Mission Statements should clearly mention how PD efforts 
will support USG and mission priorities.  Missions should include PD 
in each Goal Paper.  Any FY 2011 requests for PD funding increases 
should be highlighted in the Chief of Mission Statement and justified 
in the PD funding requests table, whether or not an optional PD Goal 
Paper is prepared.  PD funding requests related to major 
international conferences should be noted. 
 
¶7.  Resources 
 
--  Requests for New Positions:  When determining how many new 
positions to request in 2011, missions are reminded that IO and its 
missions have received virtually no new American Direct Hire 
positions for a few years.  Missions should consider limiting new 
position requests to the two highest priority positions that can be 
justified as being required to meet mission goals.  New positions/FTE 
will be scarce. 
 
--  D and CP (State Operations):  Missions should limit D and CP 
(State Operations) requests to only the highest priorities.  High 
priority requests made in previous cycles may be repeated if still 
valid. 
 
--  ICASS:  Only Geneva should enter ICASS resource requests. 
 
--  Foreign Assistance:  UNVIE:  Please coordinate with ISN regarding 
the NADR account and with INL regarding the INCLE account. 
 
¶8.  Digital Photos:  IO requests digital photos that support critical 
resource requests, illustrate significant accomplishments, or 
important activities.  IO will use these submissions to make our 
case, for example before the Secretary during the Senior Review and 
on internet websites.  Submissions should be sent to IO-Planning-DL. 
 
¶9.  IO Contacts: 
 
STATE 00129010  003 OF 012 
 
 
--  Please include Susan Poulin (IO/PPC Deputy Director and IO Bureau 
Coordinator, 202-647-6888) on all MSP-related e-mails.  Please add as 
a cc IO-Planning-DL.  Doing so will ensure that someone else in 
IO/PPC (e.g., Mark Schlachter) will answer your questions in her 
absence. 
 
--  UN Reform and UNTAI:  Matt Glockner on 202-647-6413. 
 
--  Public Diplomacy:  Mark Schlachter on 202-647-6393, Susan Poulin 
on 202-647-6888, or Donna Roginski on 202-647-7857. 
 
--  American Citizen Employment in International Organizations: 
Lynette Podolsky on 202-647-6396. 
 
--  Human Resources:  Carolyn Barnes on 202-647-9459 or Katherine 
Munchmeyer on 202-647-8404. 
 
--  Post Management:  Lois Price Ascroft (for USUNESCO) on 
202-647-5029, Margaret Sula (for USUN Rome) on 202-647-2704, and 
Julie Stewart (for Geneva, UNVIE, USUN, USICAO, and USUNEP) on 
202-736-7513. 
 
--  D and CP/ICASS Resources:  Crissy Somma 202-647-3437 or Susana 
Ramirez 202-647-0483. 
 
MSP OVERVIEW AND GUIDANCE 
 
¶10.  Planning is critical to implement foreign policy goals, as well 
as to ensure accountability to Congress and the American people.  The 
MSPs will continue to define how mission activities support 
overarching USG foreign policy goals. 
 
¶11.  MSPs will capture high-level diplomatic and foreign assistance 
priorities, resource needs, and performance data.  The MSP should be 
an interagency, country team effort that will serve as the forward 
planning tool for overseas missions.  The MSP is the first step in a 
robust annual planning and performance evaluation process that 
contributes to the Department's results-oriented performance efforts. 
 For this cycle, the MSPs will inform the FY 2011 State Operations 
and Foreign Operations budget requests, including mission-specific 
increases/decreases in U.S. Direct Hire positions. 
 
¶12.  The web-based MSP application allows direct input and submission 
of all narrative and resource information.  Mission personnel will 
obtain access to the MSP application from their mission's designated 
MSP Coordinator.  The MSP Coordinator will ensure that all sections 
of the plan are properly completed before the MSP is formally 
submitted to Washington.  Software user instructions will be 
available on the MSP website which is found at 
http://spp.rm.state.gov/spp800X600template.cf m?id=8.  MSP Coordinator 
instructions on granting MSP user access will be sent several weeks 
before the MSP launch in early December 2008.  The MSPs will be due 
to Washington in early February 2, 2009.  To keep the MSPs concise, 
fixed text limits have been established for each of the narrative and 
resource request justification sections.  A 24/7 help desk service 
will be provided during the peak MSP drafting and submission period. 
 
¶13.  There are several notable modifications to the MSP for FY 2011: 
 
--  Strategic Goal Allocation - The allocation of U.S. Direct-Hire 
Time by strategic goal has been eliminated. 
 
--  U.S. Direct-Hire Human Resource Requests - Missions will enter 
position support costs for individual requests in the Human Resources 
request screen. 
 
--  Performance Results - Missions will enter performance results 
relative to the FY 2008 performance targets. 
 
--  Previous Year Chief of Mission Statement and Foreign Assistance 
Priorities Narrative Pre-populated - Missions have the ability to 
pre-populate the FY 2011 MSP application with the previous year's 
Chief of Mission Statement and Foreign Assistance Priorities 
Narrative. 
 
--  Foreign Assistance Requests - Funding requests will be collected 
only at the area level except for the Investing in People objective. 
For this objective only, Missions will enter Foreign Assistance 
request levels at the element level. 
 
--  Summary of Foreign Assistance Request - A revised Foreign 
Assistance Summary table will replace the one-page summary of the 
Foreign Assistance Resource Request. 
 
--  The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Democracy 
Strategies Requirement - All posts in non-democratic and democratic 
transition countries are required to incorporate their ADVA democracy 
strategy into their MSP.  This replaces last year's requirement for a 
stand alone ADVA democracy strategy paper. 
 
¶14.  Global Partnership Clearinghouse:  The Global Partnership Center 
(GPC) leads efforts to promote the use of public-private partnerships 
 
STATE 00129010  004 OF 012 
 
 
(PPPs) to advance U.S. international affairs objectives. The GPC is a 
resource to assist Mission and Bureau efforts to engage 
collaboratively the private sector, foundations, civil society, and 
others through partnerships. Created by the GPC, the Global 
Partnership Clearinghouse, is the first-ever database of PPPs engaged 
under Chief of Mission authority.  The Clearinghouse was launched for 
the first time in association with the FY 2010 MSP and BSP processes 
and, thanks to the strong support from Mission coordinators, captured 
information on more than 640 PPPs.  Again this year, in association 
with the FY 2011 MSP process, the GPC will gather information on 
existing and planned multi-sector partnerships in which post is 
engaged under Chief of Mission authority.  The Clearinghouse gathers 
PPP information through a custom, online application and can be 
accessed via the same webpage as the MSP application.  Additional 
information regarding the Global Partnership Center will be posted at 
[http://gpc.state.gov/].  Please direct any questions regarding the 
Clearinghouse to [GPC@State.gov].  Clearinghouse data is available to 
assist Missions and may also be requested by email to 
[GPC@State.gov]. 
 
MSP SECTIONS AND RESOURCE REQUEST GUIDANCE 
 
¶15.  The MSP contains the following sections:  Chief of Mission 
Statement; Foreign Assistance Priorities; Goal Papers; U.S. Direct 
Hire Requests; State Operations Resource Requests; and Foreign 
Assistance Resource Requests. 
 
¶16.  Chief of Mission (COM) Statement:  The COM Statement should 
focus on the mission's most important foreign policy priorities for 
the planning period, FY 2009-2011, and should serve as the MSP's 
Executive Summary.  The COM Statement should reference the highest 
priority resource requests for FY 2011 (Foreign Assistance, State 
Operations, and U.S. Direct Hires) and justify why and how these 
requests are critical to achieving mission and bureau goals.  Past 
accomplishments should be included only if they set the strategic 
context for future mission goals and resource needs.  The COM 
Statement can include information such as historical factors if 
relevant to current foreign policy goals, and should provide a 
summary of USG presence and any projected staffing changes for all 
agencies under Chief of Mission authority.  The COM Statement is 
limited to four pages. 
 
¶17.  Foreign Assistance Priorities:  This narrative section should be 
completed only by missions requesting FY 2011 Foreign Assistance 
funding.  It should complement the COM Statement by providing more 
specific details on the mission's Foreign Assistance priorities 
within the context of the overall mission goals outlined in the COM 
Statement, and justifying why and how the requests in the Foreign 
Assistance Resource Request Table are critical to achieving the 
mission's goals.  The foreign assistance narrative also must be 
consistent with the mission's democracy strategy as described in the 
COM statement and the GJD Goal Paper and note how U.S. democracy 
assistance complements, supplements, or differs from other bilateral 
or multilateral assistance.  Providing specific examples of how 
program performance has influenced the request is encouraged. 
Discussion of priorities should be organized by the Foreign 
Assistance Framework's five strategic objectives (Peace and Security, 
Governing Justly and Democratically, Investing in People, Economic 
Growth, and Humanitarian Assistance).  There is no specific format 
required beyond the general organization noted above, though it is 
limited to three pages. 
 
¶18.  Goal Papers:  Missions may write up to a total of seven goal 
papers and will be able to utilize goal papers carried over from the 
FY 2010 MSP or create entirely new ones.  The key components of the 
Goal Papers are as follows: 
 
-- Goal Title:  Missions should craft their own customized, 
mission-oriented goal statements.  The Goal Title can be broad or 
specific, but should focus on the mission's most important USG 
foreign policy priorities.  The Goal Title is limited to one line of 
text and will populate the Table of Contents. 
 
-- Goal Description:  After defining a goal, missions should enter a 
more detailed goal description, outlining why achieving the goal is 
important to the U.S. and how the mission will accomplish this goal 
(i.e., what strategies will various mission elements pursue to 
achieve the desired results).  Missions may wish to discuss other 
related activities such as:  how they work with foreign partners, 
regional or international organizations, and NGOs; the long-term 
nature of the goal; external factors that could influence achieving 
the goal; etc. 
 
-- Department Goal Linkage:  Missions will link each customized goal 
to up to three State/USAID Strategic Goals through a drop-down menu. 
Missions may link their goal to any of the State/USAID Strategic 
Goals as outlined in the FY 2007-2012 Department of State and USAID 
Strategic Plan. 
 
-- USG Agencies:  From a drop-down field, missions will select key 
USG agencies that have a role in helping to accomplish the customized 
mission goal. 
 
 
STATE 00129010  005 OF 012 
 
 
-- Performance Indicator(s):  For each customized goal, missions are 
required to include only one performance indicator, with an option 
for a second.  Indicators should focus on the accomplishment of the 
mission's high-level foreign policy goals, and not solely on 
assistance.  Missions are encouraged (although not required) to 
include quantifiable and outcome-oriented indicators whenever 
possible.  Missions may include a mix of indicators that are within 
the mission's control and those more contextual in nature, such as 
the Freedom House Index.  However, indicators are most useful when 
they can be linked to either existing or proposed resource requests. 
Missions are encouraged to continue to use priority indicators from 
last year's MSP.  Performance indicator captions are limited to three 
lines of text and should be phrased as neutral measures, not as 
outcomes, e.g., number of international treaties and domestic 
initiatives implemented in support of USG global climate change 
policy objectives.  Additional Foreign Operations performance data 
will also be collected separately. Details to follow. 
 
-- Performance Targets and Results:  Missions will set performance 
targets for FY 2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011 for each performance 
indicator.  If a mission utilizes previous MSP indicators, they 
should include the previous FY 2008 target and a FY 2008 result. 
Performance targets and results are limited to eight lines of text 
each.  In an effort to clarify mission performance RM/SPP has created 
a dropdown menu in the MSP application where missions will enter a 
performance rating relative to the FY 2008 performance indicator 
target.  The FY 2008 result is considered "on target" only when the 
target was reached exactly as stated or "above target" if exceeded. 
Results which are lower than the target, but improved over prior 
year's performance should be labeled as "improved over prior, but not 
met." Results that do not meet target and do not improve over prior 
year, should be labeled as "below target." Finally, data that is not 
available at the time of publication of the report, e.g., collected 
later in the year or every other year or a new measure is created, 
should be labeled "data not yet available." 
 
¶19.  RESOURCE TABLES.  Included within the resource tables are the 
following:  U.S. Direct Hire Requests, State Operations Resource 
Requests, and Foreign Assistance Resource Requests.  Funding increase 
requests should be focused on highest priority, critical areas and be 
supported by sufficient justification that can be reviewed for 
potential support by senior Department management. 
 
¶20.  U.S. Direct Hire Requests:  Missions will include position 
information and succinct justifications for each FY 2011 State-funded 
position request.  Justifications will be limited to ten lines.  U.S. 
personnel requested for other U.S. agencies are also included in this 
table; however, one justification is entered at the agency-level 
rather than for each requested position.  The most important staffing 
needs should also be highlighted in the COM statement and linked to 
critical mission priorities or operational requirements. 
 
¶21.  Missions will enter position support costs for individual 
requests in the Human Resources request screen.  Use the following 
guidelines to determine the position support costs for new USDH human 
resource requests: 
 
¶22.  Position Support Costs (not including OBO and DS Position 
Support Costs) 
 
-- Recurring Cost - non-salary and benefits position support costs 
(not including OBO and DS Position Support Costs) that are incurred 
repeatedly; for example, educational allowances and field travel. 
 
-- Non-Recurring Cost - non-salary and benefits position support 
costs (not including OBO and DS Position Support Costs) that are 
unlikely to occur again in the normal course of business; for 
example, new office furniture, fixtures and equipment and make 
ready/move-in expenses. 
 
¶23.  OBO Position Support Costs 
 
-- Recurring OBO Costs - non-salary position support costs that are 
incurred repeatedly; for example, residential leases. 
 
-- Non-Recurring OBO Costs - non-salary position support costs that 
are unlikely to occur again in the normal course of business; for 
example, generators for a new residence. 
 
¶24.  DS Position Support Costs 
 
-- Recurring DS Costs- Non-salary position support costs that are 
incurred repeatedly; for example, allowances, residential guards, 
mobile patrols, ICASS costs, utilities, etc. 
 
-- Non-Recurring DS Costs - non-salary position support costs that 
are unlikely to occur again in the normal course of business; for 
example residential security upgrades for a new residence, furniture, 
furnishings, and equipment purchases.  (Note that funding for a 
replacement life cycle would need to be established for certain large 
equipment purchases such as vehicles.) 
 
¶25.  Missions will also be asked to determine a "responsible bureau" 
 
STATE 00129010  006 OF 012 
 
 
for each new USDH position request.  The "responsible bureau" is the 
bureau responsible for deciding if that position should be created 
and requested in the CBJ.  Funding is considered separately in 
different fields. The responsible bureau field will be edited in 
Washington in the event that a correction must be made. 
 
¶26.  The U.S. Direct Hire Request section will display previous year 
MSP State position requests and the regional bureau's decisions 
during the Bureau Strategic Planning process to approve or deny the 
request.  If previous requests were not included in the FY 2009 or FY 
2010 budget submissions, posts may resubmit them as FY 2011 requests. 
 As in previous years, FY 2011 position requests will be reviewed by 
regional bureau EX offices prior to transmittal to HR and RM/BP.  A 
summary FY 2011 U.S. Direct Hire Requests table will be included in 
the submitted MSP. 
 
¶27.  Human Resources Summary:  The human resources summary table is 
organized by section (e.g., POL, ECON, MGMT).  Other agency USG 
positions are not required though they will appear in the summary 
printed table.  The total number of FY 2009 FTEs by section will be 
pre-populated into the MSP from HR's PASS Post Personnel (PS) system. 
 Use of Post Personnel source data will ensure consistent position 
counts, eliminate the need for posts to maintain separate data, and 
be consistent with the policy mandate that the PS application be the 
Gold Standard for reporting overseas positions.  Any inconsistencies 
in HR numbers should be corrected directly in the PS system.  Direct 
inquiries to [PassHelpDeskMail@state.gov] or 202-647-7760. 
 
¶28.  State Operations Resource Requests:  This section includes 
separate account tables for FY 2011 Program, ICASS, and PD, and 
Fee-Funded (position support costs only) increases/decreases. 
Missions will request FY 2011 account increases/decreases by funding 
category.  Missions will include one total funding request and 
combined justification for each category by account. 
 
¶29.  At the end of each account table, missions can discuss FY 2011 
resource priorities in a short narrative section.  The priority 
statement will inform regional bureau decision-making process.  A 
summary FY 2011 State Operations Resource Requests table will be 
included in the printed MSP. 
 
¶30.  Use the following guidelines to determine changes to state 
operations funding (missions will enter position support costs for 
individual requests in the Human Resources request screen): 
 
-- LES (Salary and Benefits) - Recurring Cost - specific salary, 
benefits, and new support costs of NEW locally engaged staff 
request(s) and FY 2011 LES wage increase(s).  Narrative justification 
should provide a specific basis for the request; indicate the need 
that will be addressed with the funding; and specify position(s) by 
grade and a breakdown of the total cost for EACH position. 
 
-- Furniture and Equipment - Non-Recurring Cost - funding for the 
purchase of new furniture and office equipment for existing 
employees.  Furniture and equipment costs for new positions are 
defined in the Position Support Costs funding categories.  Narrative 
justification should provide a basis for the request; indicate the 
need that will be addressed with the funding; and a breakdown of the 
total cost for each major item(s). 
 
-- Other-Recurring Cost - all recurring State Operations INCREASES 
that are not covered in other State Operations funding categories. 
Narrative justification should provide a basis for the request; 
indicate the need that will be addressed with the funding; and a 
breakdown of the total cost for each item(s). 
 
-- Other-Non-recurring Cost - all non-recurring State Operations 
INCREASES that are not covered in other State Operations funding 
categories.  Narrative justification should provide a basis for the 
request; indicate the need that will be addressed with the funding; 
and a breakdown of the total cost for each major item(s). 
 
-- Vehicles -Non Recurring Cost (ICASS only) - funding for the 
purchase of any new vehicles for existing employees.  Narrative 
justification should indicate the need that will be addressed with 
the new vehicle(s). 
 
¶31.  Within the MSP software application, missions can view the FY 
2010 MSP requests and bureau decisions.  Missions should consult with 
their bureaus on whether these positions have been incorporated into 
subsequent FY 2009-2010 budget requests, and may choose to re-request 
a category item requested, but not granted previously and should 
re-enter this information as a new FY 2011 request. 
 
¶32.  Classification and Distribution:  MSPs are considered internal 
deliberative documents, classified as Sensitive But Unclassified, and 
will not be distributed beyond agencies represented at the mission. 
The Chief of Mission Statement is the definitive strategy document 
for the mission and may receive wider internal distribution than the 
other MSP components. 
 
FUNCTIONAL BUREAU GUIDANCE: 
 
 
STATE 00129010  007 OF 012 
 
 
¶33.  BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR:   DRL requests 
that, where appropriate, GJD goal papers focus on ways to encourage 
support for human rights, labor, and democracy initiatives in the UN 
system and throughout the world.  DRL requests that GJD goal papers 
focus on the four core elements of the F Foreign Assistance Framework 
for this objective: Rule of Law and Human Rights, Good Governance, 
Political Competition and Consensus-Building, and Civil Society (for 
definitions, see [http://www.state.gov/f/c24132.htm)]. 
 
¶34.  BUREAU OF ECONOMIC, ENERGY, AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS (EEB):  EEB 
encourages Missions to integrate economic goals into the MSP process. 
 EEB's FY 2010 Bureau Strategic Plan lays out EEB's goals and policy 
tool indicators for advancing economic prosperity and security, 
combating terrorism, and contributing to homeland security.  Posts 
should highlight important work on setting priorities and standards 
that reflect USG goals at international organizations on a range of 
issues, such as market-opening agreements, energy security, 
information and communications technology penetration rates, food 
security, international transportation concerns, anti-corruption 
efforts, intellectual property rights issues, and effective 
poverty-reduction programs.  Indicators to consider include the 
acreage of biotech crops under cultivation and the status of 
emergency oil stockpiles.  Questions related to EBB guidance can be 
directed to Lillian Wasvary [WasvaryLG@state.gov].  Additional 
information can be found on our website, [www.state.gov/e/eeb]. 
 
¶35.  OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S ISSUES (G/IWI):  MSPs should 
consider the integration of women's rights issues into all aspects of 
U.S. foreign policy.  In 2008, G/IWI worked to raise awareness within 
the foreign policy community of global issues affecting women, 
including political and economic empowerment, forced/child marriage, 
women's property rights, violence against women, and the role of 
women in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.  We 
encourage missions to develop programs and strategies that strengthen 
women's political, economic, and social equality.  Our office is 
available to all posts as a resource and advocate on international 
women's issues can be reached at (202) 312-9664; and our website is: 
[www.state.gov/g/wi]. 
 
¶36.  OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (G/TIP):  As 
you prepare your FY 2011 MSP please note that Trafficking in Persons 
issues are covered in the Department's Strategic Goals under 
Achieving Peace and Security.  Goal papers with performance 
indicators related to Trafficking in Persons issues should be linked 
to this strategic goal.  Inclusion of the anti-trafficking indicators 
reflects the Department's commitment to promote and support efforts 
to eradicate modern-day slavery as part of its foreign policy 
priorities.  Goal papers should reflect diplomatic and programmatic 
efforts to assist governments in improving their anti-trafficking 
efforts according to relevant international treaties, particularly in 
the law enforcement  and judicial efforts to arrest, prosecute, 
convict and  sentence traffickers, as well as enhancing the capacity 
of service providers to assist victims, and identifying ways to 
prevent victimization.  Please contact Paula Goode at 
goodepr@state.gov with any questions.  Information on trafficking in 
persons is available at [www.state.gov/g/tip/]. 
 
¶37.  BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS 
(INL):  This guidance is for officers at posts implementing programs 
with International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) 
funds.  Within the strategic framework established by the Director of 
Foreign Assistance (F), INCLE funded programs contribute towards the 
objectives of Peace and Security, and Governing Justly and 
Democratically.  Most INCLE Peace and Security programs fall within 
the following F program areas: Stabilization Operations and Security 
Sector Reform, Counter-Narcotics, and Transnational Crime.  Most 
Governing Justly and Democratically programs fall within the Rule of 
Law and Human Rights program area. 
 
¶38.  INL requests that posts use the Foreign Assistance Priorities 
section of the MSP to discuss on-going INCLE programs.  If the MSP 
includes an increased funding request for a new or significantly 
expanded program, please include this request in the Foreign 
Assistance Priorities section and in the Foreign Assistance resource 
tables, as appropriate.  Include requested staff increases for full 
time Narcotics Affairs Officers or Law Enforcement Affairs 
Coordinators in the Foreign Assistance Priorities section and in the 
Foreign Assistance resource tables; these staff positions are not 
funded through State Operations and must be accounted for through the 
Foreign Assistance resource requests.  If the requested increase in 
funding is substantial, please elevate its discussion to a Goal 
Paper.  Please send questions to Keira Goldstein 
(goldsteinka@state.gov) or Larry Bird [birdlf@state.gov]. 
 
¶39.  BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION (ISN): 
ISN's work to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 
(WMD) and the threat of WMD terrorism requires close cooperation with 
the UN, the IAEA, and the CTBTO.  We also support permanent 
delegations to UNVIE, the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and 
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The 
Hague, and depend heavily on U.S. Mission to the UN (USUN) and Geneva 
for support of TDY delegations.  These delegations should work with 
ISN officers as appropriate in preparing MSPs to ensure consistency 
 
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regarding goals and targets.  We rely especially on USUN's and 
UNVIE's support of:   implementation of Iran and North Korean UN 
Security Council resolutions, implementation of USNCR 1540, 
proliferation finance, strengthening the NPT and IAEA safeguards, and 
promotion of peaceful nuclear energy consistent with strict 
nonproliferation standards.  For assistance on USUN First Committee 
issues, please contact Alex Liebowitz at [LiebowAl@state.gov];  for 
assistance on UNSCR 1540 issues, please contact Tom Wuchte at 
[WuchteTA@state.gov]; for assistance on IAEA issues, please contact 
Scott Davis at DavisMS@state.gov or Rob Cockerham at 
[CockerhamRS@state.gov], and for assistance on CTBT/IMS issues please 
contact Terrill Ray at [RayTe@state.gov]. 
 
¶40.  BUREAU OF OCEANS, AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENTIFIC 
AFFAIRS (OES):  OES encourages all Environment, Science, Technology 
and Health (ESTH) officers and Environmental Hub officers in the 
field to participate actively in the MSP development process.  While 
much of ESTH work is centered in Investing in People (health, 
including water) and Economic Growth (Environment Program Area, and 
Infrastructure/Modern Energy Services), it can also reinforce our 
efforts at Peace and Security, Governing Justly, and Humanitarian 
Assistance by promoting sustainable economies while reinforcing rule 
of law and transparent democratic institutions in key sectors. 
Accordingly, Posts are encouraged to look to the ESTH officers, Hub 
officers, and OES for assistance in identifying mission priorities 
and programs in the ESTH field that support the Post's strategic 
vision and priorities.  Top OES priorities include: 
 
--  Advancing the U.S. agenda on climate change 
--  Interactions with China across a range of issues, from natural 
resource protection to energy and climate to science and technology 
--  Pollution abatement 
--  Promoting the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, 
including forests, wildlife, and marine resources 
--  Improving access to safe water and sanitation services 
--  International cooperation with respect to the Arctic 
--  Preparing for the challenges posed by polio, malaria and other 
infectious diseases, and 
--  Compliance with the environmental aspects of trade agreements 
 
¶41.  PUBLIC DIPLOMACY (PD):  Posts are encouraged to submit a 
separate PD paper and urged to ensure that PD is fully reflected in 
all goal papers.  Given the crosscutting nature of public diplomacy, 
it is important to include a discussion of it in the COM statement. 
For Public Diplomacy MSP Goal Papers, posts should use indicators 
that appear on the list of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approved PD performance indicators and reflect PD's adherence to 
federal government mandates.  A link to the PD indicators can be 
found on the MSP Policy Guidance page under the heading Useful 
Documents.  Our core list of indicators 15 for PD and 8 for IIP is 
meant to ease the burden of writing and/or identifying acceptable 
performance indicators for goal papers.  Use of the core PD 
indicators helps us in our engagement with OMB, GAO, and Congress. 
Please contact Cherreka Montgomery [montgomeryce@state.gov] with any 
questions concerning public diplomacy indicators and goal papers. 
 
¶42.  BUREAU OF POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION (PRM): 
Humanitarian assistance is a relevant objective for posts in 
countries:  (1) hosting refugees, internally displaced persons 
(IDPs), stateless populations, vulnerable migrants, and/or victims of 
trafficking; (2) receiving refugee returnees; (3) experiencing or at 
risk of humanitarian crisis; (4) developing migration management 
systems; or (5) providing significant donor support to international 
humanitarian organizations.  The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and 
Migration (PRM) serves as a resource to Posts on any of these issues; 
please see detailed MSP guidance at [http://prm.state.gov].  Please 
contact Deborah Hooker at [HookerDJ@state.gov] or (202) 663-1042. 
 
¶43.  PRM funding includes the Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) 
and Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) accounts, 
located under the Global/Functional category of the Foreign 
Assistance Framework, including the following program areas: 
Protection, Assistance and Solutions and Migration Management.  These 
funds are programmed by PRM and covered in PRM's Bureau Strategic 
Plan.  Although neither MRA nor ERMA is available for programming 
directly by posts, and although MSPs should not include requests for 
these funds, the humanitarian issues/objectives should be referenced 
in MSPs.  If there are key humanitarian assistance needs relating to 
refugees, IDPs, or other conflict victims that could benefit from 
other funding sources available to post, posts should include these 
in their budget requests.  Information provided by posts informs 
funding decisions made in Washington.  PRM's detailed MSP guidance 
(see [http://prm.state.gov] defines humanitarian programs and 
relevant indicators. 
 
¶44.  OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND STABILIZATION 
(..S/CRS):  Posts should consider conflict issues in developing goal 
papers and relevant indicators for the MSP.  For more information 
from S/CRS, please contact [s/crs_rmo@state.gov].  Information is 
also available from [http://www.crs.state.gov]. 
 
¶45.  OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM (S/CT):  Missions 
are encouraged to consider including goals and objectives, where 
 
STATE 00129010  009 OF 012 
 
 
appropriate, related to pursuing U.S. counterterrorism strategies 
through regional and international organizations and training 
centers.  Questions should be directed to Dan Rosen 
[RosenDA@state.gov]. 
 
¶46.  OFFICE OF THE GLOBAL AIDS COORDINATOR (S/GAC):  Where 
appropriate, missions accredited to international organizations are 
encouraged to consider including goals or objectives related to 
HIV/AIDS.  For example, a goal paper or objectives could reference 
critical interventions in prevention, treatment, and care.  Any 
HIV/AIDS indicators included should be consistent with President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-approved indicators.  If 
missions have further questions on this guidance, please contact Sara 
Allinder [AllinderSM@state.gov] or Karin Fenn [FennKM@state.gov]. 
 
¶47.  BUREAU OF VERIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND IMPLEMENTATION (VCI): 
In support of the Department's efforts to achieve global peace and 
security, it is essential that verification requirements and 
capabilities are fully considered and appropriately integrated 
throughout the development, negotiation, and implementation of arms 
control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements and 
commitments.  Compliance with these commitments must then be assessed 
and enforced on an ongoing basis.  By securing the global community's 
acceptance of and active participation in verification and compliance 
regimes, we bolster the U.S. foreign policy agenda and enhance the 
credibility of treaties and agreements as effective instruments of 
international security.  Urging governments and international 
organizations to acquire relevant information and data necessary for 
compliance assessments and to encourage enforcement of States 
Parties' compliance with their arms control, nonproliferation, and 
disarmament agreements and commitments is part of an ongoing process 
requiring active Department leadership within the U.S. national 
security structure here and by our diplomatic missions abroad. 
(VCI/FO Coordinator, Janey Wright, at [WrightJF@state.gov]. 
 
¶48.  Please include, as appropriate, the following objectives and 
activities as you develop your Mission Strategic Plan. 
 
--  Engage in active diplomacy, bilaterally, at international 
organizations, and at multilateral conferences to strengthen 
international understanding of the need for full compliance with arms 
control, nonproliferation, and disarmament obligations and 
commitments, as well as the need for a robust international response 
to noncompliance. 
 
--  Reference the findings of the President's "Report on Adherence to 
and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament 
Agreements and Commitments" 
[http://www.state.gov/t/vci/rls/rpt/c9721] when planning for actions 
related to specific compliance issues involving host governments and 
seek cooperation with host governments to address countries of 
concern.  (For details, contact Tim MacGregor, VCI Senior Advisor for 
Compliance, at [MacGregorTS@state.gov]. 
 
--  Bolster support for enforcing compliance with nonproliferation 
treaties and commitments through physical interdiction and political 
and economic sanctions, where appropriate, (includes sanctions 
determinations pursuant to the semi-annual Iran, North Korea, Syria 
Nonproliferation Act); and urge host governments to enhance domestic 
laws and regulations to stem proliferation.  (For details, contact 
Stephen Tomchik, Senior Advisor for Sanctions, at 
[TomchikSJ@state.gov]. 
 
--  Support improved responses to potential biological weapons 
incidents in order to deter attacks and enhance U.S. ability to make 
compliance and attribution determinations.  Promote compliance with 
the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and with efforts to ensure 
regional and universal compliance with the Convention.  (For details, 
contact Brian Nordmann, VCI/BW Director, at [NordmaBR@state.gov.] 
 
--  Promote compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and 
work with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to 
ensure that the verification regime remains viable and continues to 
keep pace with changes in the chemical industry and technological 
advances; support assessment of the robustness of the CWC inspection 
regime to ensure effective verification of declared military and 
industrial facilities. (For details, contact Johnathan Beckett, 
VCI/CCA Deputy Director for CW, at [BecketJo@state.gov]. 
 
MANAGEMENT BUREAU GUIDANCE 
 
¶49.  FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE (FSI):  As part of their strategic 
planning discussions, posts are asked, to consider training as a key 
element in the development and management of their human resources; 
and when proposing new or expanded activities that may involve a 
training component to factor in or note, when applicable, the impact 
to centralized training and post assignment travel resources that are 
overseen by FSI and HR respectively. 
 
¶50.  BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY (DS):  DS is initiating 
coordination with all posts through a separate communication to RSOs 
to identify post's security-related requests and to integrate those 
requests into the DS strategic planning process and Congressional 
 
STATE 00129010  010 OF 012 
 
 
Budget Justification input.  Post management should also consider 
security costs associated with new activities, policies, or programs 
and discuss them with their RSO for onward submission to DS in 
Washington.   For the purpose of the MSP, posts should highlight 
those security issues which significantly impact their ability to 
achieve their strategic goals.  These security requirements should be 
reflected, as appropriate, in the COM statement and the resource and 
position request tables. 
 
¶51.  OFFICE OF POLICY, RIGHTSIZING, AND INNOVATION (M/PRI):   The MSP 
is an excellent vehicle for COMs and their country teams to examine 
their operations in the context of rightsizing and quality management 
goals.  Rightsizing:  Duplicative functions at post should be 
consolidated.  Functions that can be performed by personnel based in 
the United States or at regional offices overseas should not be 
performed at post.  Posts should look for possibilities to empower 
locally employed staff so they may perform functions in place of U.S. 
direct hire personnel.  In your reviews, should you find staffing to 
be either excessive or inadequate to the performance of priority 
Mission goals and objectives, please initiate staffing change 
requests in accordance with established procedures.  It is vitally 
important that all elements and agencies in the mission participate 
in the preparation of the MSP.  A review of new non-State overseas 
positions requested through the NSDD-38 process has found that only a 
small percentage of them had been included in those missions' MSP 
submissions, suggesting that there needs to be better integration of 
all agencies' plans in the MSP process. 
 
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE GUIDANCE: 
 
¶52.  This section provides details about the requirements and 
information needed for field-based operating units with foreign 
assistance (FA) funding to prepare their FY 2011 foreign assistance 
resource requests.  It contains important changes to the FA resource 
request process, particularly regarding budget preparation and 
submissions for regional platforms.  The key changes to the guidance 
include: 
 
(a) The "Freeze" level will be the straightline of the FY 2010 
S-Approved level (formerly the "Constrained" level). 
 
(b) The "Mission Request" level will be the mission expanded request 
(formerly the "Preferred" level). 
 
(c) Control levels (pre-set funding levels) will be incorporated into 
the "Freeze" table by Operating Unit by Account, and funding for 
certain centrally-allocated activities and accounts will be locked 
into both the "Freeze" and "Mission Request" tables. 
 
(d) Cross-cutting Activities Table is no longer required. 
 
(e) Cross-Cutting Program Support (Objective 6) will not be broken 
out as part of either the "Freeze" or "Mission Request" levels at 
this time. 
 
(f) Performance Indicators will be required to justify requests for 
significant increases over the "Freeze" level.  See Paragraph 18 for 
more details. 
 
(g) The USAID-Managed Resources Table is no longer required. 
 
¶53.  All key documents, including budget levels, templates, points of 
contact and additional information resources necessary for completing 
FA requests are available through the FA link on the MSP help page. 
 
¶54.  Resource Tables:  Operating Units will develop two FA resource 
request tables for their FY 2011 submissions.  The first table, the 
"Freeze" table, cannot exceed the FY 2010 S-Approved level for that 
mission.  The second table, the "Mission Request" should correspond 
more closely to FA needs and is not limited to the "Freeze" level. 
Account controls will be incorporated into the "Freeze" table but 
there are no account controls in the "Mission Request" table, except 
as noted below. Control numbers for certain centrally-allocated 
activities and accounts will be locked into both the "Freeze" and 
"Mission Request" tables. Operating Units are encouraged to submit 
reasonable requests that expand successful programs or fund new 
programs where significant funding constraints have existed. 
Information on earmarks, centrally-allocated activities and accounts, 
and Presidential Initiatives are available through the FA link on the 
MSP help page. 
 
¶55.  While FA requests included in MSPs serve as the foundation for 
the FY 2011 foreign assistance request process, there is no guarantee 
that Operating Units will receive funding at either the Freeze or 
Mission Request levels, or that the approved budget distributions 
will match MSP submissions. 
 
¶56.  Although the MSP application allows Operating Units to request 
TI funding, as a rule Operating Units should not request funding from 
this account.  For guidance on other restricted accounts and 
activities, see the Freeze Request and Mission Request paragraphs 
below. 
 
 
STATE 00129010  011 OF 012 
 
 
¶57.  Freeze Request Table:  The Freeze request total must maintain 
funding at the 2010 S-Approved Level by Operating Unit.  In the 
Freeze request, Operating Units should distribute the total Freeze 
request level across accounts, and then allocate those account 
amounts down to the area level (element for IIP).  Note that, except 
as specified below, there are no control levels on specific accounts. 
 Operating Units may generally make adjustments within and between 
Program Area, (Program Element for the Investing in People 
Objective), and account levels, provided that the total amount 
requested for the mission does not exceed its total control level. 
Funding levels for the following centrally-allocated activities and 
accounts will be pre-loaded and locked into the Freeze Table: 
 
--  Non-Emergency Food Aid (P.L. 480) 
--  HIV/AIDS (all accounts) 
--  Malaria 
 
¶58.  Mission Request Table:  The Mission Request table can be used to 
request funding for FY 2011 above the total Freeze level, either to 
expand successful programs or fund new programs where significant 
funding constraints exist.  Operating Units should be reasonable in 
their requests.  In reviewing these requests, F reviewers in 
Washington will be particularly interested in determining how past 
performance informs requests for changes in resource levels. 
Significant increases must be justified using performance indicators 
(see Paragraph 18).  Funding for the following centrally-allocated 
activities and accounts will be pre-loaded and locked into the 
Mission Request Table: 
 
--  Non-Emergency Food Aid (P.L. 480) 
--  HIV/AIDS (all accounts) 
--  Malaria 
 
¶59.  Operating Units are also encouraged at a minimum to adhere to 
the Freeze levels for the following activities that were funded in FY 
2010 due to the likelihood that these items will be earmarked or 
centrally-allocated. 
 
--  Export Control and Border Security Assistance (NADR account) 
--  Anti-Terrorism Assistance (NADR account) 
--  Terrorist Interdiction Program (NADR account) 
--  Counterterrorism Financing (NADR account) 
--  Family Planning and Reproductive Health 
--  Polio (the Maternal and Child Health element must at a minimum 
cover Polio) 
--  Tuberculosis 
 
¶60.  While Missions are expected to adhere to the pre-loaded and 
locked Freeze and Request levels, they can comment on the levels 
being too high or two low and the probable result/impact of these 
levels. 
 
¶61.  Foreign Assistance Priorities Narratives:  Ongoing Foreign 
Assistance reforms aim to strengthen accountability for the 
performance and strategic impact of the Foreign Assistance budget. 
While we can expect many activities to produce important short-term 
results, it is also critical to demonstrate that Foreign Assistance 
contributes to strategic long-term progress - so that recipients are 
increasingly able to assume responsibility for meeting their own 
needs, are able to act responsibly in the international system, and 
are decreasingly dependent on U.S. and other external assistance over 
time.  It is recognized that this strategic progress requires 
sustained effort by both donors and recipients, and is not easily 
measured within a one-year budget planning cycle. 
 
¶62.  As one step toward improving accountability for program 
performance, each Mission is required to provide a narrative 
explaining the strategic basis for its FY 2011 Foreign Assistance 
priorities. An example of an FA priorities narrative will be 
available on the FA link on the MSP help page.  Narratives should 
include the following: 
 
(a) Summarize the Mission's core strategic goals for its Foreign 
Assistance programs (recognizing that the scope of Foreign Assistance 
goals may be narrower than the scope of overall Mission foreign 
policy goals); 
 
(b) Describe, justify, and prioritize the specific proposals for 
additional resources shown in the Mission Request table (i.e., 
program area and IIP element level proposals that exceed the levels 
shown in the Freeze table), linking those proposals to the core 
strategic goals summarized in the previous section; 
 
(c) Describe any cross-cutting strategic integration among different 
Foreign Assistance programs, and how those programs may be 
mutually-reinforcing in the context of the Mission's overall 
strategic goals; 
 
(d) Describe how proposed Foreign Assistance programs and other U.S. 
foreign policy tools (e.g., diplomatic interventions or military 
operations) may be mutually-reinforcing; 
 
(e) Cite previous program performance (which may be drawn from the 
 
STATE 00129010  012 OF 012 
 
 
Budget and Performance Analysis (BPA) sections described below) or 
other relevant data that demonstrate why proposed additional 
resources can be expected to achieve the desired strategic results; 
 
(f) Identify risk factors that may significantly affect expected 
program performance; 
 
(g) Indicate if there are significant impacts on Operating Expenses 
requests; 
 
(h) Where applicable, explain the extent to which earmarked or 
centrally-allocated funds (particularly in the health Elements) limit 
the ability to sufficiently budget for other ongoing and important 
programs in the Freeze request and Mission Request. 
 
¶63.  Four other general principles apply when writing FA Priorities 
Narratives: 
 
(a) Priorities must be specifically linked to relevant program areas 
or IIP program elements within the five objectives of the Standard 
Program Structure for Foreign Assistance (Peace and Security, 
Governing Justly and Democratically, Investing in People, Economic 
Growth, and Humanitarian Assistance). 
 
(b) Narratives should incorporate relevant information about 
assistance being provided by USG agencies other than State and USAID 
(including the MCC), and information about any assistance being 
provided by other multilateral or bilateral donors that is expected 
to significantly affect program performance. 
 
(c) Operating Units that receive funding from regional or other 
programs should describe in their foreign assistance narrative how 
those funds will be used and what performance results will be 
achieved with them. 
 
(d) MSP narratives should address how Foreign Assistance funds are 
being used to support partner country priorities as reflected in 
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) or other country 
development plans, foster local ownership of the program/process, and 
build capacity of country systems. 
 
¶64.  Note: Where Missions have an approved Country Assistance 
Strategy (CAS), the MSP should discuss how the CAS supports the MSP. 
Missions with USAID programs but without an approved CAS should 
briefly discuss how the USAID strategy supports and is consistent 
with the MSP.  If the USAID program is not covered by an active and 
approved USAID strategy, it should be stated.  This will aid in 
scheduling succeeding CAS countries and identifying USAID programs 
that may need an interim USAID strategy pending a CAS per a recent 
USAID Notice. 
 
¶65.  Budget and Performance Analysis:  As a continuation of the FY 
2010 Congressional Budget Justification requirement from OMB for 
foreign assistance funds, Operating Units are also required to 
conduct a Budget and Performance Analysis for any increase from the 
Freeze to the Mission Request level that exceeds 10% and $1 million 
at the program area or IIP element level.  A BPA is only required for 
increases that meet this threshold.  A BPA consists of i) a brief 
explanation (one paragraph) of the impact the proposed increase would 
be expected to have on the Mission's highest level strategic goals; 
and ii) selection of a performance indicator that will best measure 
program performance against those strategic objectives.  Each BPA 
should be linked to the Mission's FA Priorities Narrative (described 
above).  For Operating Units with multiple increases exceeding these 
parameters, the number of BPAs required is capped at a maximum of 
five.  Operating Units with more than five increases above 10% and $1 
million should conduct BPAs on the five largest increases. 
 
¶66.  A template for representative indicators and narratives can be 
found on the MSP home page.  This template includes detailed guidance 
with examples on how to conduct a BPA. The table requires actual 
performance data from FY 2008 and targets for FY 2009-11. 
 
¶67.  Where appropriate, Operating Units are encouraged to use an FA 
performance indicator for both a Goal Paper and for a BPA, though it 
is not required.  However, if an Operating Unit chooses to use an FA 
performance indicator for both a Goal Paper and a BPA, the Operating 
Unit will need to fill out the information in both the MSP system and 
the FA template if they are using the same indicator in both 
locations. 
 
¶68.  Goal Papers and Foreign Assistance:  Please see the discussion 
of Goal Papers in Paragraph 18 of the guidance. 
 
¶69.  Questions about foreign assistance should be directed to State 
or USAID regional bureau planning/program offices as appropriate. 
Questions related specifically to the guidance above should be 
directed to 2011FABudget@state.gov.  A list of State, USAID, and F 
contacts is available via the FA link on the MSP Help page. 
RICE