CONSULTING SERVICES
Karen Campbell, dba Metropolitan Consulting Corporation (MCC), has provided consulting services across the globe, as shown in the interactive map below.
Karen Campbell, dba Metropolitan Consulting Corporation (MCC), has provided consulting services across the globe, as shown in the interactive maps below.
AFGHANISTAN
Regional Agriculture Development Program – East (RADP-E)
Country: Afghanistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: March 2020 – September 2020
Project Scope: To expand sustainable agriculture-led economic growth in eastern Afghanistan.
Consulting Highlights: Advise on the development of co-investment and rapid response grants. (Sr. Grants Advisor)
Afghanistan Stabilization Initiative (ASI)
Country: Afghanistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives, Subcontractor
Dates: February 2010 – April 2010; March 2012 – September 2012
Scope: To engage local community and government leaders to mitigate the effects of sources of instability and create space for longer-term development projects.
Consulting Highlights: Designed civilian- and government-led stabilization projects to address specific sources of instability in the border region of eastern Afghanistan as an integral element of counterinsurgency operations. Integrated principles of development and counterinsurgency to develop stabilization initiatives. Introduced the technique of embedding capacity building activities into grant design to ensure long-term sustainability of program initiatives. Produced a field training plan and provided in-country mentoring, training, and technical assistance.
Musharikat Project
Country: Afghanistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: June 2016 – July 2016
Scope: To build a cadre of national, provincial, and local activists and civil society organizations focused on promoting more effective advocacy for women’s equality and empowerment and implementation of public gender policies.
Consulting Highlights: Advised on the project’s grant implementation strategy and made recommendations to improve and deepen the strategy. Trained team in grant design, management, monitoring, and grantee capacity building.
Women In The Economy (WIE)
Country: Afghanistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: March 2017 – May 2017; February 2018 – June 2018; October 2018 – December 2019
Scope: Increase participation of Afghan women in the mainstream, formal economy.
Consulting Highlights: Advised Workforce Development (WfD) and Private Sector Development (PSD) Teams on strategies and grants/contracting tactics to create a pool of women candidates with requisite skills/certifications for placement in well-paying jobs in the healthcare, information & communication technology (ICT), banking, teaching, and cosmetology industries. Also assisted PSD Team in identifying partners to expand the program’s footprint of business incubation centers across the country.
Competitiveness of Export-Oriented Business Activity (ACEBA)
Project Name: Afghanistan – Competitiveness of Export-Oriented Business Activity (ACEBA)
Country: Afghanistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: February 2020 – present
Scope: Increase competitiveness and market linkages of Afghan export-oriented businesses to promote sustainable nationwide economic growth.
Consulting Highlights: Designed framework and related policies and procedures for Export Acceleration Fund (EAF) valued at $42.5M. The Fund serves as ACEBA’s core implementation platform and includes grants, technical assistance, and other mechanisms to increase access to credit and working capital. Provide on-going assistance in the management of the Fund to include: design of implementation tactics and tools/instruments; EAF pipeline management; and EAF portfolio review. Advised on programmatic pivots in response to U.S. Government shifts in programming resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of the Unity Government and takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021. Instituted changes to EAF policies and procedures necessary to remain compliant with regulatory and policy changes resulting from the change in government, as well as newly enacted OFAC licenses.
Burma/Myanmar
OTI/Burma Program
Country: Burma/Myanmar
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives, Subcontractor
Dates: October 2012 – December 2014
Project Scope: To address the many facets of Burma’s transition to an inclusive democracy with an open economy, free of armed conflict.
Consulting Highlights: Set-up and management of a country-wide program as the first USAID contractor in Burma. Leveraged notwithstanding authority provisions granted in legislative Acts and Executive Orders to implement USG policy objectives while mitigating risks posed by a highly complex regulatory environment and economic sanctions. Program design addressed emerging issues such as the National Ceasefire Agreement, the national census, constitutional reform, and elections. (Chief of Party; Deputy Chief of Party)
CUBA
Cuba Democracy and Contingency Planning (CDP) Program
Country: Cuba
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: August 2008 – August 2011
Project Scope: To support the peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba.
Consulting Highlights: Program design and implementation. Managed a coalition of international non-governmental organizations to collectively implement activities focused on human rights, women’s rights, freedom of expression, civil society strengthening and networking, advocacy, and media campaigns. (Team Leader)
Iraq
Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI)
Country: Iraq
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), Subcontractor
Dates: February 2004 – June 2005
Project Scope: Quick response program designed to support critical activities to build and sustain Iraqi confidence in the development of a participatory, stable and democratic Iraq.
Consulting Highlights: Overall program strategy development consistent with evolving national and provincial-level plans for southern Iraq. Managed program in collaboration with the Coalition Provisional Authority, U.S. Embassy, United Nations, multinational military forces, Iraqi Government, and USAID partners to identify potential grantees, design projects, and deploy initiatives. Focus areas included civil society and association development; civic education; institutional strengthening; ministry and local government capacity building; conflict mitigation (employment generation, immediate needs program, cash for work, social safety net); economic development; women’s participation; and human rights/transitional justice. (Sr. Program Development Officer)
Iraq Rapid Assistance Program (IRAP)
Country: Iraq
Client: U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: November 2007 – September 2010
Project Scope: To provide direct support to Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and embedded PRTs (ePRTs) disbursed throughout Iraq to rapidly address root causes of conflict, promote reconciliation, and support good governance.
Consulting Highlights: Technical assistance to civilian and military personnel located throughout Iraq. Formulated funding strategies for targeted stabilization activities that leveraged monies from the Department of State Quick Response Fund (QRF), IRAP Civil Society Conflict Mitigation funds, Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP) funds, and Iraqi-CERP funds. Led the roll-out of a $22 million grant program that supported community-based conflict mitigation and reconciliation projects to include rule of law, voter education, and awareness campaigns to prevent violence against women. (Program Development Consultant)
Iraq Quick Response Fund (IQRF)
Country: Iraq
Client: U.S. Department of State, Subcontractor
Dates: August 2010 – September 2010
Project Scope: To contribute to the development of a secure, stable and democratic Iraq, with an open, transparent and accountable system of government.
Consulting Highlights: Advise U.S. Department of State on its programmatic framework for the Office of Provincial Affairs’ (OPA’s) final year in Iraq as U.S. combat troops and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) personnel withdraw from the country. Exit strategy development for targeted stabilization activities and technical assistance to PRT personnel. Programmatic focus on rule of law; congressional earmarks and directives; and economic development (agricultural livelihoods). (Development Consultant)
KENYA
Kenya Transition Initiative (KTI)
Country: Kenya
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives, Subcontractor
Dates: February 2011 – May 2011
Project Scope: Quick response program designed to accelerate Kenya’s recovery from post-elections violence in 2007/8 and to address the underlying causes of instability.
Consulting Highlights: Operations management. Staff supervision in Nairobi, as well as field offices, in the areas of operations, administration, logistics, grants management, procurement, budgeting, financial accounting, and activity database management. (Operations Manager)
MALAWI
Integrating Nutrition in Value Chains (INVC) Project
Country: Malawi
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: August 2016 – October 2016
Project Scope: To reduce rural poverty by achieving inclusive growth in the agricultural sector in targeted regions while improving the nutritional status and outcomes for beneficiary populations.
Consulting Highlights: Project closedown. Resolution of critical legal issues regarding local labor and local partners. (Closedown Manager)
MOZAMBIQUE
Supporting the Policy Environment for Economic Development (SPEED+)
Country: Mozambique
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: August 2017 – December 2017
Project Scope: To develop an enabling regulatory environment that fosters the development and implementation of market-oriented reforms needed to grow the economy, attract investment, and reduce poverty.
Consulting Highlights: Technical, administrative and overall strategic program management aimed at shortening the timeframe for activity implementation and accelerating the flow of project funds to implement policy reform initiatives. (Management Specialist)
PAKISTAN
OTI/Pakistan (PERSI) Program
Country: Pakistan
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives, Subcontractor
Dates: September 2015 – October 2015
Project Scope: To support civil society and government organizations in Punjab and Sindh Provinces in their efforts to implement peace building and community development projects to counter violent extremism.
Consulting Highlights: Project startup. Project management support to teams in Islamabad and provincial offices. Training and mentorship to program and administrative staff on activity conceptualization, design and implementation. (Startup Team Lead/Training Officer)
PALESTINE
Repair and Replacement Initiative (R&R)
Country: Palestine
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: November 2002
Project Scope: Repair and replace equipment severely damaged during conflict to revitalize private sector in West Bank and Gaza.
Consulting Highlights: Damage assessment of losses suffered by businesses in West Bank and Gaza resulting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Conceptualization and deployment of Voucher Program designed to replace identified office equipment and furniture sourced from local vendors. (Procurement Specialist)
Palestinian Enterprise Development (PED) Project
Country: Palestine
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: October 2005 – May 2008
Project Scope: To provide technical assistance to small and medium enterprises, trade and business associations, local business development service firms, and companies with export potential and key Palestinian Authority (PA) institutions, in order to stimulate economic growth in the West Bank and Gaza through increased domestic and international competitiveness of private sector enterprises.
Consulting Highlights: Competitiveness assessment of targeted clusters in the West Bank and Gaza. Liaise with the Palestinian Authority (PA) (Oct 05 – Mar 06) and the “caretaker” government (Jan – Mar 06) to design regulatory reform initiatives to establish an enabling regulatory environment to support PED initiatives. Project pivot to reflect changes in U.S. foreign policy toward the PA after installation of a Hamas cabinet in March 2006. (Deputy Chief of Party; Development Advisor)
Compete Project
Country: Palestine
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: April 2015 – May 2015
Project Scope: To strengthen the Palestinian private sector by fostering sustainable economic growth, prosperity and regional stability.
Consulting Highlights: Program implementation strategies for targeted sectors. Implementing instructions/guidelines, training, and on-the-job coaching for project staff on best practices for selecting appropriate funding categories and implementing mechanisms. (Program Management Advisor)
Small and Medium Enterprise Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART)
Country: Palestine
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: February 2021 – August 2025
Project Scope: To assist in the rapid recovery of Palestinian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in West Bank and Gaza following unprecedent crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the May 2021 conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas.
Consulting Highlights: Grants program conceptualization and mobilization employed to kickstart the rapid recovery of Palestinian SMEs. Strategic consultation to senior management on designing grant and other implementation instruments. Technical assistance to Palestinian SMEs, as needed. (Sr. Advisor)
SOMALIA
Somalia Stability Fund (SSF)
Country: Somalia
Client: Multi-donor (the UK Department for International Development, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Swedish International Development Agency).
Dates: August 2017 – July 2019
Project Scope: The Somalia Stability Fund (SFF) offers Somali stakeholders a source of multi-year funding that aims to contribute to enhancing stability in Somalia through three pillars: (1) Stabilization; (2) State-Building; and (3) Conflict Prevention and Management.
Consulting Highlights: Advise on high-risk sensitive investments and contracts.
Transition Initiatives for Stabilization
Country: Somaliland
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: June 2011 – November 2011
Project Scope: To launch stabilization initiatives designed to respond to the complex crisis that has evolved in Somalia and the self-declared region of Somaliland.
Consulting Highlights: Programmatic and operational set-up of principal office in Hargeisa, Somaliland (non-presence country). (Start-up Program Manager)
ZIMBABWE
Linkages for the Economic Advancement of the Disadvantaged (LEAD)
Country: Zimbabwe
Client: U.S. Agency for International Development, Subcontractor
Dates: June 2002 – September 2002
Project Scope: To provide viable new economic opportunities to disadvantaged groups so they can make more money through business enterprises in agriculture, industry, services, or trade.
Consulting Highlights: Grant prototype design, award, and management. Field contracting strategy. Policy guidance and training for field staff and partners. (Grants and Subcontracts Manager)