Regional : Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific

Sovereign Project | 47264-001

The TA will help (i) strengthen public financial management policies and processes; (ii) improve public service delivery through reforming government machinery; (iii) improve economic management through strengthening analytical capacities to support decision-making; and (iv) promote structural reforms of state-owned enterprises.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Veve, Emma M.
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Public sector management
Project Name Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific
Project Number 47264-001
Country / Economy Regional
Micronesia, Federated States of
Palau
Marshall Islands
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8581-REG: Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.50 million
TA 8581-REG: Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific (additional financing)
Government of Australia US$ 562,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Public sector management / Economic affairs management - Public administration - Public expenditure and fiscal management

Gender No gender elements
Description

The TA will help (i) strengthen public financial management policies and processes; (ii) improve public service delivery through reforming government machinery; (iii) improve economic management through strengthening analytical capacities to support decision-making; and (iv) promote structural reforms of state-owned enterprises.

ADB's Pacific Approach 2010-2014 aims to achieve sustained and resilient standards of living. It sets out an agenda to foster connectivity, consensus and a greater sense of Pacific community through (i) inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth; (ii) good governance; and (iii) regional cooperation and integration. The Pacific Approach provides the strategic framework for ADB operations in the Pacific and will serve as the country partnership strategy for the 3 north Pacific DMCs. The Pacific regional operations business plan (ROBP) 2014-2016 aligns with the goal of the Pacific Approach. The proposed TA is in the ROBP's 2013 pipeline of assistance. The Pacific Approach, the ROBP and the respective country operations business plans align with the aims of the national plans of FSM, Palau and RMI. The TA will support the three countries in conducting the necessary reforms to strengthen their public financial management policies and processes; improve their public service delivery; enhance their economic management; and make necessary structural reforms to ensure fiscal sustainability post-compact.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The three north Pacific developing member countries (DMCs) the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) are former US trust territories. FSM and RMI entered into Compact of Free Association with the US since 1986 and Palau since 1994. The current compacts will run out in 2023; hence, the three Pacific DMCs are undergoing a program of reforms to ensure fiscal sustainability once the compacts expire. It is estimated that 70% of the national budget of RMI and 45% of FSM comprised budget transfers from the United States under the compacts. In addition, they also have access to other Federal government agency programs for specific purposes. Two major concerns for both countries at the moment are: (i) the planned decrement of the compact budget over the next decade and possible impacts on service delivery; and (ii) the performance of the Compact Trust Fund, which has been set up and is expected to become an alternative funding source post-2023.

Strengthening public sector management has been identified as a critical priority for all three countries, aiming at better managing their limited resources, while ensuring an acceptable standard of delivery of goods and services to the public. Individually, the countries have identified critical reform areas of public sector management requiring support from ADB and other development partners. These include (i) strengthening public financial management policies and processes; (ii) improving service delivery through public service reforms; (iii) strengthening economic management; and (iv) structural reforms.

Impact

Increase self-reliance and achieve fiscal sustainability

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

More efficient macroeconomic and fiscal management

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

1. Improved public financial management

2. Improved public administration systems

3. Strengthened economic analytical capacities

4. Strengthened planning capacities

5. Improved SOE performance

6. Enhance regional sharing of experiences and best practices

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

- A macroeconomist and public financial management specialist are supporting the government of FSM in developing the Action 2023 Plan. The Plan aims to help the government develop necessary policies aiming towards long term fiscal sustainability beyond the expiration of the Compact Funds.

-On 2 June 2014, approval for a request for change in scope and implementation arrangements and increase in TA amount from $1,500,000 to $2,062,000 was obtained. The additional financing was provided by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The increase in TA amount was made to finance a change in scope and implementation arrangements primarily to provide additional assistance on the ff: (I) implementation of revenue reforms for RMI and Palau; (ii) enhancement of financial management information system in Palau; (iii) procurement of a suitable HRMIS for RMI; and (iv) support to conduct a HIES (2014) for Palau.

-On 30 September 2014, TA Letter of Agreement between ADB and the Government of Palau was signed for the conduct of a Household Income and Expenditure Survey in Palau in 2014. As of 25 Aug 2015, the HIES is a little over 75% complete, with only the report writing and poverty analysis remaining to be implemented and a more comprehensive report will be provided as soon as the report is completed.

-A Human Resource Management and Organizational Specialist was engaged (commenced services on 7 April 2015) to provide support to the Government of Palau strengthen its public administration systems to enable more responsive, efficient and accountable public service delivery.

-A Public Finance Specialist, whose services commenced on 27 July 2015, was engaged to provide inputs to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia in preparing a draft Public Debt Management Bill and a policy and explanatory note based on the Bill.

-On 11 Feb 2016, a Minor Change in Implementation Arrangements and Procurement of Human Resource Management Information System was approved. The memo specifically approved the ff: (I) inclusion of Equipment budget line item; (ii) reallocation of $126,000 from Contingency budget line item to Equipment budget line item to finance the procurement of a new HRMIS for RMI; (iii) allow RMI to directly enter into a supply agreements/contracts with its selected HRMIS supplier/s; and (iv) allow direct payments to either RMI or its selected HRMIS supplier/s.

-A Planning and Economic Advisor/Specialist for RMI commenced services on 7 April 2016 to provide advisory services with emphasis on capacity building and transfer of knowledge and skills to local staff through the selection of work and training programs for government officials. The expert is also responsible in streamlining the process between the Office of the chief Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of Compact Implementation, and the Ministry of Finance.

-On 26 Aug 2016, an International Aid Coordination Specialist for RMI commenced services to lead the development of an effective national aid coordination mechanism, including a structure design with the support of a policy and strategy framework. The expert is expected to hold several consultations with relevant stakeholders in view of designing an appropriate aid coordination structure for the Government of RMI based on current and anticipated resources.

-On 19 Oct 2016, the TA's completion date was extended from 31 Dec 2016 to 31 Dec 2017 to enable further support for better public sector management in the three North Pacific DMCs.

-On 2 Dec 2016, a Change in Implementation Arrangements and Procurement of Financial Management Information System for Kwajalein Atoll Local Government was approved.

-In February 2017, a Compliance Advisor was engaged to provide support to FSM Government.

-Three experts, namely an HR Specialist, Financial Management Specialist, and a Procurement Expert have been engaged with services commencing in April 2017. These experts' outputs will serve as inputs to the processing of the proposed Public Financial Management Project for RMI.

-On 4 Dec 2017, the TA's completion date was extended until 15 Dec 2018.

-Three additional experts (Economist for PAL; Public Financial Management Expert for PAL; and Public Administration and Compensation Expert for FSM) have been engaged in Q1 2018.

-Third and final payment to Holland Consulting International LLC for the RETA's support to Kwajalein Atoll Local Government (KALGOV) for the procurement of Financial Management Information System has been submitted to ADB Controllers Department on 5 Sep 2018 for processing. No further claims are expected.

-As of 10 Sep 2018, three consultant contracts remain active: (1) R. Sturton, Economist (PAL); (2) T. Valentine, Public Administration and Compensation Expert (FSM); and (3) S. Mayes, Public Financial Management Expert (RMI).

Geographical Location Marshall Islands - Nation-wide; Micronesia, Federated States of - Nation-wide; Palau - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Initial consultations on the country specific components of the TA were held during respective country programming missions in Palau (April 2013), RMI (April 2013) and FSM (August 2013). It was subsequently decided for the individual support to be delivered through a RETA, hence, further discussions were held with the respective governments during consultation missions by the Director PAUS and new country teams leaders for Palau (Septembr 2013), FSM and RMI (October 2013). The consultation missions firmed up the priority areas of support for each country and how support can be sequenced within resource envelope. The project team with support from ADB development coordination officers will liaise closely with the governments when finalizing TA design particularly terms of references for consultants.
During Project Implementation Participation of the three governments will start from developing implementation arrangements for the TA. Palau has expressed its support to a TA modality which develops the skills of national consultants who will eventually be absorped into the public service as they see this as another form of capacity development. All three governments have shown commitment to implementing the TAs through the leadership of the respective CEOs of implementing agencies as well as making available appropriate counterpart staff to ensure ownership and transfer of knowledge.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The TA will finance an estimated 35 person-months of international and 15 person-months of national consulting services. The consultants will be engaged individually in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by ADB and its Borrowers (2013, as amended from time to time).
Procurement The proceeds of the TA will be disbursed in accordance with the ADB's TA Disbursement Handbook dated May 2010 (as amended from time to time).
Responsible ADB Officer Veve, Emma M.
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division Social Sectors and Public Sector Management Division
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 14 Nov 2013
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 16 Dec 2013
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 10 Sep 2018

TA 8581-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Dec 2013 - 16 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2016 15 Dec 2018 01 Jul 2019
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,500,000.00 562,000.00 170,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,232,000.00 17 Jun 2022 1,789,808.54

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific: Technical Assistance Completion Report TA Completion Reports Jun 2020
Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific Technical Assistance Reports Dec 2013

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
PFM Individual - Consulting Closed
Public Admin and Compensation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Economist Individual - Consulting Closed
Strengthening Public Sector Management in the North Pacific - Public Financial Management Expert Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.