Regional : Implementing the Pacific Regional Audit Initiative in Pacific Island Countries, Phase 2

Project Name

Implementing the Pacific Regional Audit Initiative in Pacific Island Countries, Phase 2

Project Number

46506-001

Country / Economy

• Regional

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

TA 8517-REG: Implementing the Pacific Regional Audit Initiative in Pacific Island Countries, Phase 2

Source	Amount
Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific	US$ 1.30 million

TA 8517-REG: Implementing the Pacific Regional Audit Initiative in Pacific Island Countries, Phase 2 (Supplementary)

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 400,000.00

Strategic Agendas

• Inclusive economic growth
• Regional integration

Drivers of Change

• Governance and capacity development
• Knowledge solutions
• Partnerships
• Private sector development

Sector / Subsector

• Public sector management / Public administration - Public expenditure and fiscal management

Gender

No gender elements

Description

The proposed TA will enable continuing funding support to the Pacific Regional Audit Initiative.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

This TA is consistent with ADB's Pacific Approach 2010-2014, which identifies continued support to good governance and regional cooperation and integration activities, including in public financial management. Also, in supporting regional and international declarations on development partner coordination and aid effectiveness, development partners have committed to relying on country public financial management systems, including audit institutions.

Furthermore, ADB is a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding between the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the Donor Community, under which development partners have committed to supporting strengthening of public financial management in partner countries, including the government auditing function, with a view to ensuring that public resources are properly used and that funding reaches the intended end user.

Impact

Public entities in Pacific island countries improve transparency and accountability in managing and using their public resources.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) operate in accordance with uniform high standards at a measurably higher level.

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

1. Strengthened SAI independence

2. Strengthened transparency and accountability by contributing to and promoting an integrated approach to public financial management

3. Strengthened public financial reporting, public audit, and legislative oversight

4. Strengthened capacity and capability of SAIs to perform their mandates

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Consultants with skills in peformance auditing, the provision of legal and governance support, and communications, have been engaged to support PASAI in the delivery of its activities.

In addition, the Subregional Audit Support Program (Round 4) covering Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu, has been completed. Round 5 of the SAS program completed, SAS post implementation committee meeting held 9-10 February 2016. A systems analyst was engaged to improve PASAI's interactive website and repository of SAI documents. Work completed.

Extension of closing date to 30 June 2017 has been approved. A further extension of TA completion date to 31 January 2018 was approved.

Additional financing of $400,000 was approved including extension of TA closing date to 24 November 2018, to provide support to SAIs in Nauru and PNG. The consultant to support TA activities in Nauru has been fielded and will start on Phase 2 of capacity building activities. The consultant for PNG has been engaged but has not begun TA activities.

Geographical Location

Regional

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

The PRAI design was developed by the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions, with support from ADB and Australia, under the coordination of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

During Project Implementation

ADB, Australia, the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Development Initiative, New Zealand, and the World Bank, are supporting the implementation and delivery of PRAI outputs.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

The TA will require international consultants (estimated 30 person-months of inputs) and national consultants (estimated 24 person-months of inputs) with skills and expertise in public auditing, performance auditing, legal and governance support, capacity development, and TA administration. All consultants will be engaged on an individual basis. The consultants will be engaged by ADB in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time). TA activities will be implemented over 30 months, from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2016.

Procurement

Disbursements under the TA will be made in accordance with ADB's Technical Assistance Disbursement Handbook (2010, as amended from time to time). The equipment will be purchased in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2013, as amended from time to time).

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Asistin, Flordeliza R.

Responsible ADB Department

Pacific Department

Responsible ADB Division

Social Sectors and Public Sector Management Division

Executing Agencies

Asian Development Bank

Timetable

Concept Clearance

22 Apr 2013

Fact Finding

-

MRM

-

Approval

25 Nov 2013

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

17 Jul 2018

Funding

TA 8517-REG