Regional: Results-Based Project Management for Pacific Developing Member Countries

Public sector management - Economic affairs management

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to managing for development results (MfDR) with a focus on (i) building the institutional capacity and development of demand for MfDR through leadership and participatory performance-based planning and budgeting, (ii) strengthening data and information systems for monitoring and evaluation of results, and (iii) developing processes for mutual accountability and feedback. Strengthening portfolio performance, is critical to achieving MfDR in the selected PDMCs. By incorporating an MfDR approach in portfolio management, ADB targets improved planning, monitoring, and evaluation of operations. Results-based portfolio management, in turn, calls for greater participation of project managers in results-oriented strategy and program planning, and preparation of monitoring frameworks.

Achieving MfDR in the Pacific requires capacity development of PDMC project managers in setting the results agenda in the national development strategies. Capacity to design results-based projects and technical assistance (TA), and monitor the results during implementation. Therefore, capacity building proposed under this regional TA 1 (RETA) project is aimed at developing project management professionals to champion MfDR by strengthening their capacity to foster commitment to results orientation in strategic planning, project design, and implementation work. The TA will provide tools and skills to empower Pacific project managers to steer project implementation toward achieving tangible development outcomes set forth in the national plans.

1. ADB EAs with comprehensive analysis of performance issues, associated diagnosis, and plans to build capacity

2. ADB EAs assisted through RETA capacity development and technical assistance, and linkages to other capacity development interventions

Project management units mainstream MfDR processes: Senior PDMC officials are knowledgeable of project preparation procedures and opportunities to ensure project contributes to national objectives

International consultants, assisted by national consultants, will be engaged as follows: (i) an international MfDR specialist assisted by a national consultant for a total of 22 person-months (including about 2 person-months per country for five selected countries) to conduct MfDR capacity and readiness assessment of PDMCs; (ii) an international procurement specialist assisted by a national consultant for a total of 12 person-months (2 person-months per country for three selected countries) for analysis of procurement systems; (iii) an international facilitator for participatory planning and management training for a total of 3 person-months (on an intermittent basis) during TA implementation; and (iv) an international procedural expert for 3 person-months, with extensive experience in ADB project approval processes. The international experts will be responsible for developing terms of reference and work plans for the national consultants, in close consultation with SPSO and government focal points.

1. The TA will conduct four hub-based workshops-three for project implementation, procurement, and disbursement-involving PMU personnel from ADB-funded projects in all PDMCs. The fourth workshop will cater for senior government officials heavily involved in project design, including finance secretaries and ministers, as feasible. SPSO will facilitate these workshops. The terms of reference for the consulting services are in Appendix 3.

2. The consultants will be recruited on an individual basis in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2007, as amended from time to time) using the quality and cost-based selection method. All equipment will be procured in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2007, as amended from time to time) and returned to ADB upon completion of the TA.

3. The reports of the consultant team will be in English, in publishable quality, and in three copies. The consultant will also provide three CD-rom versions to ADB. Reports will include the following: (i) an inception report that provides a clear work plan and methodology under each of the four TA components; (ii) a midterm report, to be submitted after the surveys and assessments have been concluded, which includes curricula and organizational details for the capacity building, an outline of training materials, and recommendations for the interactive help desk and website; (iii) a draft final report; and (iv) a final report, covering all activities under the terms of reference, giving in full the training materials, including on CDs. The inception, midterm, and draft final reports will be reviewed in tripartite meetings between the consultant, ADB, and selected government representatives.