Outreach Strategy 

Office of Accountability

March 2024

dfc.gov
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Table of Contents

1. Introduction______________________________________________________________________ 2

2. Purpose _________________________________________________________________________ 2

3. Target Audience __________________________________________________________________ 2

4. Approach ________________________________________________________________________ 2

5. IAMnet__________________________________________________________________________ 3

6. Resourcing _______________________________________________________________________ 3

7. Reporting ________________________________________________________________________ 3

8. Contact__________________________________________________________________________ 3
Outreach Strategy, March 2024 DFC OOA Page 2

1. Introduction

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development 

finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical 

challenges facing the developing world today.

On September 9, 2020, the DFC Board of Directors (Board) approved the implementation 

document: Independent Accountability Mechanism (IAM) for the U.S. International Development 

Finance Corporation. The IAM – also referred to as the Office of Accountability (OOA) - is an 

independent office within DFC and reports to the Board. 

The OOA’s core functions comprise (a) providing a forum for resolving concerns, complaints, or 

conflicts about environmental or social issues that may arise around DFC-supported projects, (b) 

offering advice regarding DFC’s projects, policies, and practices when invited to do so by the 

Board or senior Corporation management, and (c) annual reporting to the Board and Congress. 

2. Purpose

The OOA’s mandate includes outreach to ensure project-affected stakeholders, DFC clients and 

sub-clients (such as financial intermediaries) have information about how to access the OOA’s 

services and complaints procedures. This Outreach Strategy is designed to guide OOA’s efforts to 

engage with internal and external stakeholders, and complements DFC’s other stakeholder 

engagement and outreach efforts.

This Outreach Strategy does not incorporate a bespoke stakeholder engagement plan which will 

be developed, disclosed and implemented for the planned revision of OOA’s 2014 Operational 

Guidelines Handbook for Problem Solving and Compliance Review. 

3. Target Audience

OOA’s primary target audience includes project-affected people and workers. The OOA will also 

engage with civil society organizations (CSOs), DFC management and clients, as well as the 

community of practice engaged in the accountability functions of development finance institutions. 

4. Approach

The OOA will maximize transparency and information disclosure as these are critical to the 

credibility and public confidence of an accountability mechanism. OOA’s efforts will be subject 

to DFC’s Transparency Policy, as well as statutory responsibilities, including the provisions of 

both the Trade Secrets Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

OOA’s outreach is designed to raise awareness about its services. This outreach will be inclusive, 

utilize both in-person and digital platforms. OOA will also participate in and contribute to relevant 

training, events and conferences.
Outreach Strategy, March 2024 DFC OOA Page 3

The OOA maintains a digital presence through DFC’s website. These will display OOA’s 

operational policies, a Public Registry of Cases, and other materials. OOA’s social media presence 

and messaging will be aligned with DFC’s Social Media Guideline. 

The OOA will also attend quarterly meetings of the Board, DFC’s semi-annual public hearings,

and other relevant events. 

5. IAMnet

The OOA is a member of and participates in events organized by the Independent Accountability 

Mechanisms Network (IAMnet). This is a partnership of dedicated practitioners who build 

institutional capacity on accountability and compliance for improved corporate governance and 

development impact. IAMnet events include engagement opportunities with diverse national, 

regional and international Civil Society Organizations (CSO). 

6. Resourcing

A new Director of OOA was appointed on February 26, 2024. His responsibilities include 

outreach. The Director of OOA is authorized to hire consultants, participate in outreach events, 

and incur other expenses as needed for both case-specific and other functions.

7. Reporting 

The Director or OOA will engage with and submit reports to the Board, the U.S. Congress 

Committees on Appropriations. These reports will also be disclosed on OOA’s webpages. The 

OOA’s cases and their status, advisory notes or other relevant materials will also be disclosed on 

OOA’s webpages. 

8. Contact

Comments about this Outreach Strategy can be directed to the attention of Mr. Mehrdad Nazari, 

Director, Office of Accountability, via accountability@DFC.gov.