Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global partnership for sustainable development
Period:
01/Apr/2024-17/May/2024
Project Name:
Facilitation of the Senior Officials Talanoa on the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA)
Client:
PIFS
Location:
Fiji
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
This assignment involves facilitating the Senior Officials Talanoa on the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA) to align with the 2050 Strategy, focusing on political, governance, and partnership challenges, and aims to build a shared understanding of priorities and processes for Phase 2 of the RRA.
Services Provided:
KVA’s deliverables included providing preparatory, facilitation, and post-session support for the Senior Officials Talanoa, guiding interactive discussions to address political, governance, and partnership challenges for the 2050 Strategy, and compiling a comprehensive report with shared insights and agreed Terms of Reference for Phase 2 of the RRA.
Period:
01/Dec/2021-14/Nov/2025
Project Name:
Tautua Human Development for All Facility
Client:
DFAT
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Administration Management
Project Description:
The Tautua Human Development for All program (Tautua) is an AUD40M investment over eight years (four years with an additional four-year option) that supports Samoa to unlock progress on critical social issues. The goal for Tautua is ‘improved health, education, gender equality and social incomes, and social harmony for all Samoans”. Its objective, in support of the broader goal, is ‘an enduring relationship between Samoa and Australia that supports Samoa to pursue its human development agenda in line with Samoa’s national priorities and interests’.
Services Provided:
Worked as a key local partner to deliver the following: high-quality advisory inputs, and selected operational support including employment contracting and payroll services.
Period:
01/Nov/2023-13/May/2024
Project Name:
PACER Plus General Review
Client:
PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Location:
Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
This assignment evaluates the PACER Plus agreement since 2020. Objectives include assessing benefits, PPIU effectiveness, COVID-19 impact, and integration of Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion. The scope covers implementation progress, improvement areas, adherence to obligations, work programme modifications, labour mobility, and identifying opportunities and risks. The goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis and recommendations for enhancing PACER Plus’ effectiveness.
Services Provided:
Conduct comprehensive consultations with PACER Plus Parties and implementation partners to assess the agreement’s implementation status, review priorities, evaluate institutional effectiveness, and recommend improvements. Consider findings from parallel reviews, particularly the Arrangement on Labour Mobility, and their implications for the Development Economic Cooperation and Work Programme. Analyze and incorporate learnings from other relevant Free Trade Agreements, Regional Trade Agreements, and Economic Partnerships involving PACER Plus Parties to inform the review process.
Period:
16/Nov/2021-14/Nov/2025
Project Name:
Samoa Human Development and Social Inclusion Program (SHDSI) – Tautua Programme
Client:
Palladium International Pty Ltd
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Administration Management
Project Description:
The program aims to enhance human development outcomes in Samoa by improving essential services and results in the health sector (NCD, SRHR, etc.), social sector (VAWG, GEDSI, Social Protection, etc.), and education sector. These improvements are focused on enhancing the quality, accessibility, and equity of these services for all Samoans, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups. It seeks to achieve three main outcomes: (a) higher quality essential services from both government and non-government providers, (b) increased access to these services for marginalized groups including women, girls, and people with disabilities, and (c) leveraging Australian aid to encourage policy reform, address system issues, and foster partnerships for better resource use and service delivery.
Services Provided:
Provide office space, scheduling, financial management, meeting coordination, recruitment, and quality assurance. Assist with planning, coordination, management, and administration for the Facility’s inception and design phase. Support the corporate team with management oversight and act as an escalation point to DFAT and the GoS. Provide local context insights, networking support, and identify opportunities for program synergies.
Period:
04/Jun/2015-20/Jun/2015
Project Name:
Review of Proposed Ministry of Public Enterprises
Client:
Government of Samoa
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Public Reform
Project Description:
To review the proposed organisational and reporting structures of the newly created Ministry of Public Enterprises with respect to scale, fitness for purpose and cost.
Services Provided:
Prepared a short briefing paper for the Ministry of Finance
Period:
18/Aug/2014-03/Nov/2014
Project Name:
Strategic Plan 2015-17 & Capabilities Plan
Client:
Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO)
Location:
American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Marianas, New Zealand, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna
Type of Assignment:
Structural Reform
Project Description:
The new Head of Secretariat of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) contracted KVAConsult to develop a three-year Strategic Planning document outlining the revised strategy and objectives of the OCO. Additionally, KVAConsult created a Capabilities Plan to identify gaps between the current and desired Secretariat organizational structure and capabilities needed to deliver on the proposed priority programs and strategies.
Services Provided:
A three year strategic plan; a revised organisational structure; a capabilities plan and a change management plan. KVAConsult presented the plans to the Steering Committee and also developed a PowerPoint presentation for the Head of Secretariat to use in unveiling the strategic plan and proposed organisation structure changes to staff.
Period:
26/May/2014-27/Jun/2014
Project Name:
Establishment of a Pacific Economic Forum
Client:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
Location:
Fiji
Type of Assignment:
Feasibility Study
Project Description:
The aim of the study (which was conducted under the auspices of Pacific Consult Group – a sister company of KVAConsult) was to assess the feasibility of convening, and sustaining, a biennial forum that would support the work of the annual Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting (FEMM) by providing FEMM with evidence-based policy papers. The study was to examine the features of comparable regional economic think tanks worldwide; develop a possible structural model, gather views of PIFS member country officials and other FEMM stakeholders and estimate likely costs.
Services Provided:
A desk review of reports and other documentation relating both to existing regional economic forums, their structures, functions, the role of academia, funding etc and to cross-cutting economic issues in the Pacific; a situation analysis/briefing paper which encapsulated the findings of both aspects of the desk research; consultations with key regional and international stakeholders; an electronic survey to canvass the views of FICs and FEMM stakeholders; a report that synthesized the desk review findings, consultation views and survey feedback, and incorporated comments received on the draft version; a presentation of the findings of the feasibility study at the 2013 FEMM.
Period:
13/Sep/2013-15/Dec/2015
Project Name:
Eminent Persons Group: Strategic Review
Client:
ACP
Location:
Belgium
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The Eminent Persons Group was launched on 25 March 2013, comprising 12 distinguished persons from the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. The group was given the task of independently reviewing the 79-member ACP Group as an international organisation. A report, including recommendations on the future orientation of the ACP was presented to the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government in early 2015.
Services Provided:
As part the four-member Report Drafting Sub-committee, contributed significantly to the findings and recommendations of the report.
Period:
01/Jul/2013-20/Jan/2014
Project Name:
Evaluation of Decentralised Offices in Asia-Pacific Region
Client:
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Location:
Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
The Evaluation Team provided an assessment of the progress made by FAO in implementing corporate decisions to decentralise its functions and roles to the Asia-Pacific region and the results of FAO’s decentralisation policies and procedures on corporate delivery to its members in the region. After an orientation briefing in Rome the Evaluation Team travelled to the Regional Office of Asia-Pacific in Bangkok. Both the coordinating work of the regional office and the in-country delivery of services in Thailand were assessed before the team split to assess the different countries covered.
Services Provided:
KVAConsult contributed to the following outputs for Thailand, Nepal, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea: information gathering and analysis; group and individual interviews with FAO member governments, FAO senior management and technical, administrative and operational staff members, FAO external stakeholders including ODA bilateral agencies, NGOs, civil society and international financial institutions; questionnaire surveys of a wider group of stakeholders; analysis of relevant corporate documents; assessment of country programme frameworks and sample normative products; assessment of country key projects; evaluation summary of subset of Pacific normative products.
Period:
01/Jan/2013-31/May/2013
Project Name:
Corporate Plan Mid-term Review
Client:
Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO)
Location:
American Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
To review the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Secretariat and consider the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the services OCO provides to member countries. The project was also required to make recommendations on: guidance; core business; decision-making; organisational structure; strategic planning; priority setting.
Services Provided:
Project required information gathering, both desk review of relevant documentation (mostly from OCO sources) and consultation with OCO members, development partners and other regional and international organisations; submission of a draftreport for consideration by stakeholders; submission of a final report taking into account feedback from the OCO Secretariat, development partners (AusAID, EU, UNEP, UNCTAD and NZAP) and members; and a presentation to the 2013 OCO Annual Conference in Tonga, outlining the key findings and outcomes of the Review.
Period:
12/Oct/2012-13/Dec/2013
Project Name:
Management Advisory Group
Client:
The Pacific Community (SPC)
Location:
New Caledonia
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
To provide advice and support to the Director General of SPC with the implementation of the recommendations of the 2012 Independent Review of the Secretariat.
Services Provided:
Regular attendance at meetings in Noumea, New Caledonia; contribution to working papers and reports.
Period:
12/Oct/2012-15/Dec/2015
Project Name:
Increasing Agricultural Commodities Trade Programme
Client:
The Pacific Community (SPC)
Location:
Fiji
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
To chair the meetings and also to represent the views of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation and private sector generally.
Services Provided:
Annual attendance at meetings in Noumea, New Caledonia; contribution to working papers and reports.
Period:
14/Jun/2012-01/Sep/2012
Project Name:
Cost Benefit Analysis of Establishing a Sub-Regional Presence
Client:
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Location:
Fiji, FSM, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Project Description:
A detailed cost-benefit analysis of options for establishing a Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) sub-regional presence. The report addressed the issue of how SPREP could achieve the optimum balance between effective delivery of its strategic priorities and cost efficiency.
Services Provided:
Literature review, desk review and research, country visits plus teleconferences; presentation to SPREP Management of the Draft Report and presentation to the 23rd Annual SPREP Meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Period:
01/Aug/2011-01/Nov/2011
Project Name:
Assessment of Development Results
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Kiribati, Nauru, Tokelau, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
Assessment of UNDP interventions in Kiribati, Nauru, Tokelau, and Vanuatu.
Services Provided:
Provided an independent assessment of the progress toward the expected outcomes envisaged in the UNDP programming documents. Also provided an analysis of how UNDP had positioned itself to respond to national needs and changes in the national development context. Provided a set of recommendations for management to make adjustments in the current strategy and next Country Programmes.
Period:
21/Feb/2011-31/May/2011
Project Name:
Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility Regional Procurement Proposal
Client:
ComSec
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Policy Formulation
Project Description:
Developed an intervention modality to improve national and regional procurement procedures in the Pacific, based on comments and consultations with development partners. The final document was used to leverage co-financing from partners to support the implementation of this major regional initiative. The specific objectives were to determine: areas where the current proposal needed to be strengthened; sub-areas of interest to individual development partners; national good governance and procurement priorities; and how the proposal could best be refined to address each of the objectives.
Services Provided:
Undertook preparatory work including questionnaire design; undertook desk review of relevant documentation; held a briefing with the Pacific Region Advisor and CPGF Director; held discussions with relevant stakeholders including PIFS, AusAID, NZAID, EU, UNDP and others; analysed field and secondary data and prepared a draft Project Design Document (PDD) for Strengthening Procurement Governance in the Pacific; gave a presentation of the draft PDD to PIFS, the Commonwealth Secretariat and other interested stakeholders for initial comments and validation; and produced the final consolidated PDD and submitted it to the Commonwealth Secretariat for approval.
Period:
01/Jul/2010-30/Oct/2010
Project Name:
Independent Evaluation of Paris Declaration: Samoa
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
The independent evaluation assessed changes of behaviour of countries and donors around aid and development and within the aid partnership itself, with a strong focus on the context for implementation in Samoa to ensure relevance. It also evaluated the outcomes in terms of aid effectiveness and development results with precise minimum core questions, scope and methodologies for the evaluation, to allow for meaningful aggregation and synthesis.
Services Provided:
Inception report that included a detailed work-plan; a final report on evaluation findings including application of methodology, achievements and constraints as well as feedback from the national reference group.
Period:
02/Sep/2009-03/Sep/2009
Project Name:
Cairns Compact Study
Client:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The “Cairns Compact” is a 2009 agreement by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders, facilitated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), to improve development coordination in the region. The “study” aspect refers to the Forum Compact Peer Review process, which assesses how Pacific Island countries and their development partners manage development resources and align them with national priorities.
Services Provided:
Conducted a study on the status and effectiveness of the national development plan and sector plans, including timeframes for existing plans and the preparation of new plans, links between national and sector plans, and a brief assessment of the effectiveness of these plans in guiding budget allocations and support from development partners. Also commented on the structure of national-level dialogue between government and development partners.
Period:
01/Sep/2009-01/Sep/2011
Project Name:
Basic Study for Programme Formulation
Client:
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Embassy of Japan
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
Provided assistance to the JICA Samoa Office in determining potential projects to be considered under Japan’s future assistance programmes, for each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Services Provided:
Collected information on current conditions and future developments in selected sectors; collected information regarding economic development and infrastructure development.
Period:
30/Jan/2009-31/Mar/2009
Project Name:
Samoa-Australia Partnership Agreement: Law & Justice Sector
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
Samoa and Australia’s 2008 Partnership Agreement for Development guided bilateral support under the SDS 2008–2012, focusing on Improved Governance – Law and Justice. Consultants assisted Working Groups in identifying priority interventions and clarifying areas for support, ensuring coordinated, consultative implementation to strengthen governance and justice sector outcomes.
Services Provided:
Explored appropriate financing mechanisms for future donor support including budget support, performance-based financing and incentives; explored options and issues in developing the implementation schedules; participated in the Working Group for Priority Outcome 4 and advised the Working Group on commissioning further studies and analytical work; contributed to working papers; conducted the comparative analysis of the Law and Justice Sector Plan against the requirements of the Partnership Implementation Schedule.
Period:
30/Jan/2009-31/Mar/2009
Project Name:
Samoa-Australia Partnership Agreement: Private Sector Growth & Employment
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
The Prime Ministers of Samoa and Australia signed a Partnership Agreement for Development in 2008 outlining a new approach to bilateral relations and development. As part of the agreement key sectors for assistance from the Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) 2008-2012 were identified, with Private Sector Growth and Employment being Priority Outcome 1.
Services Provided:
Explored appropriate financing mechanisms for future donor support including budget support, performance-based financing and incentives; explored options and issues in developing the implementation schedules; participated in the Working Group and advised the Working Group on commissioning further studies and analytical work; contributed to working papers and other outputs; described the scope and adequacy of current programmes including NGO programmes; assembled baseline data required; reported on findings.
Period:
01/Oct/2008-01/Jan/2009
Project Name:
Support for Pacific Public Sector Reform Evaluation
Client:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
This evaluation reviews ADB support for public sector reforms in Pacific developing member countries from 1996–2002, covering 11 program loans totaling $211.8 million. Support was partly successful: objectives remained relevant a decade later, but overambitious designs and limited government ownership constrained effectiveness, reducing the impact of loans and technical assistance on public sector performance.
Services Provided:
Assisted in preparing financial, economic, and political economy analysis for Samoa’s public sector reform evaluation. Collected and synthesized government data, assessed policy frameworks, institutional capacity, and reform outcomes. Provided critical insights on effectiveness and relevance of ADB support, informing recommendations to improve future program design, implementation, and development impact in Samoa.
Period:
01/Jul/2008-01/Dec/2008
Project Name:
Project Proposals for 2009
Client:
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Embassy of Japan
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
Assisted in the preparation of project proposals (grant aid assistance, technical cooperation, Grassroots Human Security Fund) to be considered for funding in 2009.
Services Provided:
Undertook consultations with government officials from NHS, MESC, MAFF and MNRE, and from NGOS and civil society.
Period:
01/Jun/2008-15/Aug/2008
Project Name:
Work Programme for Small States Network for Economic Development
Client:
SSNED
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
Collaborated with international consultants to develop a draft three-year work programme for the Small States Network for Economic Development (SSNED), in line with SSNED’s US$5 million budget. The objective of the SSNED work programme was to provide leadership on issues of interest to small states; identify niche areas where the network could offer its services; work in the same areas as other organisations but provide value-added services.
Services Provided:
Provided expert technical advice on the Pacific to a panel of peer international consultants for the development of the draft three-year work programme for SSNED.
Period:
01/Jun/2006-01/Aug/2006
Project Name:
Post-Forum Dialogue Review
Client:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
Undertook a comprehensive review of the benefits, disadvantages and costs of the current Post-Forum Dialogue process.
Services Provided:
Catalogued existing Post-Forum Dialogue alternative processes; identified alternative mechanisms to deliver the expectations of members and partners with respect to the dialogue process; and recommended the most appropriate modalities of engagement for the future including new criteria and arrangements for admission of new partners and possible retirement of partners from the process
Period:
01/Jan/2006-01/Apr/2006
Project Name:
Programme of Action for LDCs for 2001-2010: Mid-term Review
Client:
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Location:
Kiribati, Maldives, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
Preparation of a sub-regional review on the progress toward achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through the commitments made in the programme of action in the small Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the region during the period 2001-2005.
Services Provided:
Identified constraints which had affected progress towards sustainable development; evaluated the implementation of regional support measures such as official development assistance, debt relief, investment, trade, migration, environment, security and technology transfer; considered how national, regional and international measures could help countries attain their developmental goals.
Period:
01/Dec/2004-01/Jun/2004
Project Name:
Vavau Development Programme: Evaluation
Client:
Government of Tonga, EU
Location:
Fiji, Tonga
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
The evaluation aimed to assess the programme’s effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability. It focused on improvements in living standards in Vavau, increased income in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, effectiveness of implementation, fund utilisation efficiency, and how gender and environmental issues were addressed within the programme’s framework.
Services Provided:
Review of documents and discussions with Government officials; consultation with relevant officials and staff in line ministries assisting with implementation of projects; consultation with programme staff in Nukualofa and Vavau including field visits to inspect projects; consultation with representatives and beneficiaries in the community; consultation with donors including JICA, AusAID and NZAID; consultation with NGOs, civil society and community-based organisations; briefing and debriefing with NAO office; submission of draft report; submission of final report taking into account comments received by NAO and EC.
Period:
01/Feb/2004-01/Aug/2004
Project Name:
Australian Aid Programme to Papua New Guinea: Joint Review
Client:
AusAID
Location:
Papua New Guinea
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
Reviewed and made recommendations in relation to the ongoing principles, strategies, priorities and arrangements for development cooperation between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Services Provided:
Examined the effectiveness of the Australian aid programme in relation to development cooperation priorities agreed by both Governments. Assessed the implementation of development assistance arrangements and the effectiveness of contributions from Australia and PNG. Provided advice on the alignment of development assistance with policy priorities, recommended ways to strengthen this connection, and offered guidance on sectoral priorities. Evaluated the effectiveness of the current performance benchmark system and monitoring processes. Reviewed the performance of the Australia-PNG Country Strategy, identifying successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. Provided actionable recommendations to enhance programme impact, accountability, and alignment with agreed development objectives.
Period:
03/Nov/2003-23/Dec/2003
Project Name:
Strategic Plan Review & Draft New Strategic Plan (2004-2009)
Client:
Private sector, NZAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Planning
Project Description:
Identified the achievements and short-comings of the organisation in relation to strategic objectives and issues in the current Strategic Plan and produced a new draft Strategic Plan for 2004-2009.
Services Provided:
Conducted a stock-take of documentation related to the 1997-2002 Plan, including the findings of the NZAID Review in 2002; assessed the impact and effectiveness of the four strategies and reviewed the achievements and shortcomings of the current plan through consultation with the organisation’s director, review of board minutes, annual reports, work-plans and past strategic plans, as well as consultations with Board members, staff members and key stakeholders; drafted a new plan for 2004-2009 based on the findings of the review.
Period:
22/May/2003-12/Jun/2003
Project Name:
NZAID Private Sector Support Allocation: Review
Client:
NZAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The NZAID Private Sector Support Allocation (PSSA) was an initiative of the New Zealand Government which began in the mid-nineteen nineties, to support the development of the private sector in Samoa. The Samoan Government through the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry administered this project, together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand High Commission. The PSSA mainly provided assistance in marketing, technical support and capacity building for private sector companies.
Services Provided:
KVAConsult Ltd undertook the full review of NZAID PSSA; provided advice on the future direction of the scheme; suggested how it could be modified based on comments coming from consultations; proposed how the administration could be streamlined.
Period:
28/Jan/2003-03/Mar/2003
Project Name:
Institutional Strengthening Projects: Review
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
To ascertain the views of staff currently working in government agencies which are implementing Institutional Strengthening Projects (ISP) in a form that will provide useful input into the current review of ISPs in Samoa.
Services Provided:
The purpose of the survey was to measure the views of staff at all levels within government on the outcomes and impact of public sector reform generally and ISP projects specifically. The survey manager: managed the survey process and survey team; selected interviewees in each department; set up templates for tabulation and analysis of data; collected data; analysed data.
Period:
01/Jan/2003-01/Dec/2006
Project Name:
Protocol of Agreement
Client:
ACP, CDE
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
Acted as liaison between the private sector, the African, Caribbean and Pacific organisation, and the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE), which channels European development funds to small businesses and projects.
Services Provided:
Liaison and consultations with private businesses seeking assistance from CDE; conducting of due diligence on potential interventions; preparation of project intervention proposals; liaison with CDE on project intervention proposals.
Period:
01/May/2002-01/Jun/2002
Project Name:
Common Country Assessment
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
The project involved identification of key issues within focal areas selected by the UNDP and recommended strategies for possible intervention by UNDP and other UN Agencies over the medium term.
Services Provided:
Desk review of appropriate literature; prepared and conducted a two-day consultation workshop with stakeholders; incorporated feedback from the workshop into the report; prepared draft and final reports.
Period:
01/Dec/2001-31/Dec/2001
Project Name:
MAFFM Institutional Strengthening Project: Mid-term Review
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
Review of the two-year MAFFM Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP) ten months after implementation commenced. The objectives of the review were to: assess the performance of the ISP and identify areas for improving future performance; make recommendations on milestones and resourcing for the remainder of the current contract; make recommendations for the future of the ISP.
Services Provided:
Reviewed, with the team leader, relevant documentation including the project design document, annual plan, quarterly reports, milestone reports and end of mission reports; met with various ISP stakeholders to obtain views on ISP performance; assessed the sustainability of change management and made suggestions on changes to revise project design and outputs; co-prepared a report on the initial findings and recommendations of the review team, which was presented to MAFFM Director and management team; contributed to the writing of the draft report, which was submitted to AusAID.
Period:
01/Nov/2001-01/Mar/2002
Project Name:
Internal Communications Systems: Review
Client:
Government of Samoa, AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
This was a sub-project component of the Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP) for the Samoa Department of Education. This sub-project was concerned with improving the internal communication and quality of responsiveness of staff at Malifa to the needs of the national school system, the general public and internally.
Services Provided:
The consultant undertook: documenting and reviewing the existing DOE internal communication system; a needs assessment of the DOE internal communications system using consultations and questionnaire methodology; documenting the deficiencies of the present system against the needs assessment; proposing a range of possible options, with associated implementation schedules and costings; presenting the preferred option to DOE executive; and assisting in preparing a budget submission for the approval of DOE executive.
Period:
01/Apr/2001-01/Nov/2001
Project Name:
ADB Operations in Developing Member Countries: Evaluation of Samoa
Client:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Evaluation
Project Description:
The overall project involved a comparative assessment of the impact of selected ADB projects on six developing member countries including Samoa.
Services Provided:
KVAConsult staff member was team leader who oversaw the overall implementation of the project; reviewed documentation and secondary data; compiled survey team; translated survey instrument; provided survey logistical arrangements and administrative support; processed and analysed survey data using SPSS; facilitated national workshop to present survey findings; and wrote the final report.
Period:
23/Nov/2000-24/Nov/2000
Project Name:
The Brisbane Dialogues: South Pacific Futures Meeting
Client:
FDC
Location:
Australia
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
The Brisbane Dialogues were a meeting of the Pacific region’s leading decision and opinion-makers, tasked with identifying and discussing the region’s strengths and greatest challenges, and deciding what could be done together to increase the likelihood of preferred futures.
Services Provided:
Keynote address and participation at the Brisbane Dialogue.
Period:
02/Nov/2000-02/Nov/2000
Project Name:
Pacific Economic Outlook
Client:
University of Sydney
Location:
Australia
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
Delivered a presentation in Australia to the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney.
Services Provided:
Prepared and presented a situation analysis on the state of the economies of Pacific nations currently and in the foreseeable future.
Period:
01/Oct/2000-31/Oct/2000
Project Name:
Eleventh SPREP Meeting: Presentation
Client:
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Location:
Guam
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
Assisted with the presentation of reports on the review of SPREP’s Action Plan for 1997-2000, the Draft Action Plan for Managing the Environment of the Pacific Region for 2001-2004, and the SPREP Corporate Plan for 2001-2004 at the eleventh SPREP Meeting in Guam (from 10-13 October 2000).
Services Provided:
Prepared PowerPoint presentations for SPREP management; assisted with discussions and answered questions arising from presentations.
Period:
01/Sep/2000-01/Jan/2000
Project Name:
Harmonising Donor Policies & Practices in the Pacific
Client:
AusAID
Location:
Australia, Kiribati, NZ, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Structural Reform
Project Description:
Assisted in identifying and in developing strategies to promote effective donor harmonisation.
Services Provided:
Identified key harmonisation issues from the perspective of Pacific Island governments and other stakeholders; together with Team Leader, undertook consultation with senior officials of the Government of Samoa and other stakeholders; contributed to the presentation of draft harmonisation proposals to AusAID and MFAT officials; participated in meetings with a joint Australian and New Zealand Steering Committee for the project, to review project scope and agree on methodology; was member of the team that carried out consultations with the Vanuatu Government; assisted with the finalisation of the project report.
Period:
02/Aug/2000-05/Aug/2000
Project Name:
Financing for Development: Regional Consultative Meeting
Client:
UNESCAP
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
Project involved a consultative meeting of representatives from the Asian and Pacific region to discuss issues likely to arise in the financing of development.
Services Provided:
Presentation on the unique development financing problems of Pacific island economies and the status of national and international responses.
Period:
24/Feb/2000-25/Feb/2000
Project Name:
Forum Economic Ministers Meeting Workshop on Effective Government
Client:
Australian Treasury
Location:
Australia
Type of Assignment:
Policy Advisory
Project Description:
On invitation from the Australian Treasury, the consultant attended a two-day Workshop for Pacific Island Forum Economic Ministers on effective government. The key objective of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for discussion between Ministers and senior officials, on practical ways to improve decision- making and the day-to-day operations of government.
Services Provided:
Participated as speaker and facilitator; presented a short discussion paper on The Relationship between Ministers and Officials.
Period:
01/Mar/1999-01/May/1999
Project Name:
Aid Programme Strategy Study
Client:
NZODA
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
Examined the composition of the projects and activities (including sector, value, location and the extent of gender integration) within the NZODA bilateral programme with Samoa over the prior ten years (1988/89 to 1998/99) in relation to Samoa’s developmental priorities and NZODA’s guiding principles.
Services Provided:
Identified and assessed options for developing the programme in the medium to long term to better meet Samoa’s developmental priorities and NZODA’s guiding principles; reviewed the processes and mechanisms for planning, delivering, monitoring and reviewing projects and activities in the NZODA programme, and made recommendations for improvement; and reviewed the communication and reporting arrangements for managing the NZODA programme in Samoa, and made recommendations for improvement
Period:
01/Aug/1998-01/Nov/1998
Project Name:
Aid Coordination and Management in Palau
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Palau
Type of Assignment:
Structural Reform
Project Description:
Identification of institutional and financial systems to improve aid coordination and management for the Government of Palau.
Services Provided:
Preparation of a situation analysis and consult with aid donors and officials of the Government of Palau to identify areas for improving aid coordination and management.
Period:
16/Nov/1997-31/Jan/1998
Project Name:
Pacific Island Involvement in Global Information Infrastructure
Client:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Financial Analysis
Project Description:
Compiled economic and financial statistics on the region and attended consultations with regional organisations and island countries.
Services Provided:
Reviewed international developments in the information sector, particularly those led by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; reported on the information and knowledge status of Forum Island Countries; identified opportunities, costs, benefits, constraints and implications for Pacific Island Countries in moving towards involvement in the global information economy, including recommendations for specific national and regional action in pursuing information infrastructure and integration.
Period:
01/Aug/1997-01/Sep/1997
Project Name:
Strengthening Aid Co-ordination & Management Systems: Marshall Islands
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Marshall Islands
Type of Assignment:
Structural Reform
Project Description:
The project was part of the UNDP regional initiative to improve public sector efficiency in the budgeting and management of aid resources.
Services Provided:
Mapped and reviewed the existing flow of information and decision-making processes adopted by the Government of the Marshall Islands. Based on consultations with government officials, a number of reforms were agreed upon for improvement of aid co-ordination and management.
Period:
01/Apr/1997-01/May/1997
Project Name:
Strategic Plan (1997-2002)
Client:
NZ MFAT
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Planning
Project Description:
The assignment was to prepare a strategic plan for an NGO (on behalf of the Board of Trustees, and funded by the main donor agency for the NGO). The strategic plan was operationalised by the development of a detailed management plan directly linked to each of the strategic issues identified in the plan.
Services Provided:
Undertook a critical evaluation of the previous mid-term review of the organisation and, in consultation with management and stakeholders, identified strategic issues to be incorporated in the new plan. The plan was approved for implementation by the New Zealand Government (as the main aid donor) and the Board of Trustees.
Period:
01/Aug/1996-01/Dec/1998
Project Name:
Project Management Group
Client:
AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The objective of the PMG was to put in place a comprehensive monitoring programme covering three public sector reform oriented AusAID projects in Samoa: the Treasury Department Institutional Strengthening Project, the Trade and Investment Promotion Project and the Customs Department Management and Technical Strengthening Project. The PMG provided independent technical assessments with respect to project progress, to AusAID officers based in Canberra, to the Australian High Commission in Apia and to the Samoan Government.
Services Provided:
Appraised the Project Implementation Documents (PIDS) for each activity; assessed the adequacy of the monitoring information system and processes; designed a monitoring strategy; outlined a proposed schedule of in-Australia and in-country activities; undertook the agreed programme of visits to assess progress; maintained a process of feedback to AusAID, the Samoan Government and the Australian Managing Contractors during visits; presented a brief, preliminary report of findings before departure; provide a full report to AusAID Canberra on achievements against project objectives, milestones and performance
Period:
01/Nov/1995-01/Oct/1996
Project Name:
Sixth Pacific Regional Programme (1997-2001): Logistics
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
The assignment required extensive travel to allow in-country consultations by the team of consultants. The regional programming process was integrated into the country programming process. This facilitated the establishment of linkages between the national needs and the parameters of the four main regional programmes established. The Saipan meeting in October 1996, of representatives of Pacific Island Countries, regional organisations, aid donors and UN officials, formally approved the regional programme.
Services Provided:
Coordinated the team of consultants in developing a concept paper based on the main theme of Employment and Sustainable Livelihoods for the Pacific. Based on the needs identified in the preparation of country programmes and consultations with the regional organisations and the donor community, developed four main programmes (Private Sector Development, Development Management, Environment and Natural Resources Development and Human Resource Development) for the UNDP Sixth Cycle Pacific Regional Programme for implementation during 1997-2001.
Period:
01/Mar/1995-01/Apr/1996
Project Name:
Development Effectiveness Review: Samoa (1990-1994)
Client:
AusAID
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The project was part of series of evaluation studies by AusAID to identify lessons learned which could improve the quality of the Australian aid programme.
Services Provided:
Advised on the review of the 1990-94 activities funded by the Australian bilateral aid programme. Also assisted in the preparation of the report on the economic context of the aid programme and the effectiveness and sustainability of projects in the human resource and sustainable development areas.
Period:
01/Feb/1995-01/Mar/1995
Project Name:
Western Samoa Training Programmes from 1984-1993: Review
Client:
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Embassy of Japan
Location:
Samoa
Type of Assignment:
Review
Project Description:
The evaluation was undertaken to identify areas in which JICA could improve the effectiveness of its training programmes. The evaluation grid developed under the project could be used by JICA and the Government of Western Samoa as a common yardstick for future evaluation of training programmes.
Services Provided:
Coordinated the work-plan; carried out field-work involving interviews and a set of questionnaires; collated and analysed feedback from trainees; drafted the evaluation report; made presentation to JICA officials.
Period:
01/Oct/1993-01/Sep/1994
Project Name:
Lome IV Regional Environmental Project Formulation
Client:
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Location:
Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
The project was part of the programming exercise by Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, for the utilisation of the Lome IV Convention regional aid programme resources. Having developed a proposed regional project, there were differences between SPREP and the European Union and the consultants on the parameters and costs of the project.
Services Provided:
Reviewed environmental problems and priority needs of Pacific member countries of ACP and overseas countries and territories (OCT), which are eligible for assistance from the European Union under the regional aid programme resources of the Lome IV Convention; developed a logical framework for a regional environmental project centred on waste and sewage management; consulted all ACP and OCT countries through interviews or questionnaires; held consultations with SPREP (the proposed executing agency) and European Union representatives on the proposed regional
environmental project.
Period:
01/Mar/1993-01/Apr/1993
Project Name:
Regional Development Assistance Strategy Formulation
Client:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Planning
Project Description:
The 1992 Forum Leaders meeting asking the Forum Secretariat to examine how Forum countries could collaborate on a regional strategy to strengthen their economic development programmes. In recognition of the very diverse development states and needs of the different Forum countries, the project report recommended the establishment of a Ministerial Finance and Economic Committee which would incrementally advance a strategy for the regional programming of development aid. A programme of action was established for a gradual development of a regional strategy
Services Provided:
Carried out consultations with each of the Forum countries; prepared a report for the April 1993 Pacific Island countries/ Development Partners meeting on a proposed framework to set a strategy for regional development assistance.
Period:
01/Sep/1992-01/Jan/1993
Project Name:
Regional Economic & Financial Management Training Centre Feasibility Study
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Feasibility Study
Project Description:
The project looked at how to establish a regional centre at the Reserve Bank of Fiji, managed by the IMF, to provide technical assistance and training to Pacific Island countries. The focus of the assistance and training was to be budget management, tax reform, bank supervision and balance of payment statistics. It was envisaged that the regional centre would coordinate donor projects related to economic and financial management reforms.
Services Provided:
Visited Western Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu before holding consultations with delegations of Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Western Samoa at the 1993 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC; had detailed discussions with IMF and UNDP (New York) to establish guidelines for IMF/UNDP collaboration in executing the proposed regional project; produced a project formulation framework using the UNDP format.
Period:
01/Oct/1991-01/Mar/1992
Project Name:
Fifth Pacific Regional Programme (1992-1996)
Client:
UNDP
Location:
Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Type of Assignment:
Programme Formulation
Project Description:
The project related to programming the US$22.4 million of the Fifth Cycle of the Asia-Pacific Programme for UNDP Pacific countries for 1992-96. The programming approach was an attempt to enhance coordination of regional aid programmes so that UNDP resources could be utilised more effectively.
Services Provided:
Led planning and coordination of Pacific Island countries, regional organisations and donors in the development of 15 programme outlines, through a serious of missions and consultations (each of the 15 outlines identified specific national and regional needs in the relevant programme area and needs which could be best addressed at the regional level were included in the programme design); developed a matrix of donor intervention to identify potential areas of complementarity and duplication in aid activities.
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