Regional : Strengthening the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Regional Economic Policy Mandate in the Pacific

Project Name

Strengthening the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Regional Economic Policy Mandate in the Pacific

Project Number

50303-001

Country / Economy

• Regional

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

TA 9174-REG: Strengthening the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Regional Economic Policy Mandate in the Pacific

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 225,000.00

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 / Economic affairs management

Gender

No gender elements

Description

The provision of small-scale TA not exceeding the equivalent of $225,000 on a grant basis from TASF-other sources towards strengthening the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) regional economic policy mandate in the Pacific.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat's Economic Governance Group (EGT) provides economic policy advice to Forum Economic Minister's Meeting (FEMM) on a number of regional economic issues including macroeconomic policies, private sector development (in conjunction with the Private Sector Unit and Pacific Trade and Investment network), development financing, and public financial management. Technical support to supplement the resources and capacity of the EGT is required because the FEMM agenda is dense and cross-cutting, and decisions made require prioritization and follow through. Also, there is often competing demands on the EGT, which could affect their ability to deliver high quality and timely economic policy advice to Members. Towards this end, ADB has offered to assist the Forum Secretariat by providing a short-term consultant to the EGT to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the FEMM. This will be done through assisting in the prioritization of the FEMM agenda and assisting the EGT with the delivery of key FEMM mandates, as well as other relevant regional economic issues in consultation with the Economic Adviser and Director Economic Governance of the Forum Secretariat.

Impact

The TA is aligned to ADB's emphasis on regional cooperation and integration as prioritized in the Bank's corporate priorities adopted through its Midterm Review of Strategy 2020 and the interim Pacific Approach 2015. The Pacific Approach is specifically informed by the 2014 Framework for Pacific Regionalism and medium-term priorities for deeper regional cooperation and integration adopted by the Pacific Leaders in September 2015. The TA will specifically contribute to sound regional and national economic decision making based on high quality economic policy advice and assistance to Pacific Island Forum Members provided by PIFS, EGT and pursued under the FEMM update.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Strengthened regional economic policy mandate in the Pacific through improved effectiveness and the efficiency of the FEMM.

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

(i) provision of high quality technical support towards the implementation of key FEMM mandates.

(ii) development and prioritization of a robust FEMM agenda.

(iii) strong advocacy on Implementation of FEMM mandates.

(iv) strengthening of the EGT to deliver effectively on the Forum Leaders' and FEMM priorities and mandates.

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

Re-advertisement of the Economics Advisor position was carried mid August and a consultant should be on board by end of September 2017. 2018 Update: Re-advertisement for consulting position is awaiting revision of the TOR. The TA completion date will be extended beyond 31 October 2018.

Sep 2018 Update: TA completion date to be extended and recruitment for consulting position to follow.

Geographical Location

Regional

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

18 person-months (Intermittent - International)

The consultant will be fully-funded by ADB but will report to the Economic Adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, under the broad supervision of the Secretary General and the management team. 3.The consultant is expected to provide technical support to the EGT to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the FEMM. This will be done through assisting in the prioritization of the FEMM agenda and assisting the Economics Team with the delivery of key FEMM mandates, as well as other relevant regional economic issues in consultation with the Economic Adviser and Director Economic Governance of the Forum Secretariat.

The consultant is expected to provide technical assistance to the EGT to deliver key FEMM mandates and relevant regional economic issues in consultation with the Economic Adviser and Director Economic Governance.

Key outputs expected include the:

i.Provision of high quality technical support towards the implementation of key FEMM mandates;

ii.Development/prioritization of a robust FEMM Agenda;

iii.Strong advocacy on implementation of FEMM mandates; and

iv.Strengthening of the EGT to deliver effectively on Forum Leaders'/FEMM

Procurement

N/A

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Olsson, Sivou Beatrice

Responsible ADB Department

Pacific Department

Responsible ADB Division

Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji (SPSO)

Executing Agencies

Asian Development Bank

Timetable

Concept Clearance

08 Nov 2016

Fact Finding

-

MRM

-

Approval

21 Sep 2016

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

25 Sep 2018

Funding

TA 9174-REG