Supporting Public Sector Management Reforms

The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will improve public sector management (PSM) practices in seven Pacific developing member countries through:
I. institutional strengthening of ministries of finance, other central management agencies, and relevant sector ministries; and
II. supporting tailored policy advice and targeted analysis to promote longer-term fiscal sustainability for improved growth and public service delivery.
III. The seven targeted countries are the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
IV. The TA will also provide policy advice as requested to support the targeted countries during disasters caused by natural hazards, such as cyclones and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The TA will deliver:
(i) targeted assessments on PSM issues to inform government planning and development partner engagement;
(ii) support for capacity development in PSM, with different focus areas depending on the country’s need and absorptive capacity; and
(iii) policy advice and dialogue to strengthen governance mechanisms and prioritize and implement reforms.

1. Quality PSM assessments supported – Conduct diagnostic studies and produce at least three policy notes/briefs, including COVID-19-related PSM issues.
2. Capacity of central oversight/planning agencies strengthened – Structured capacity building in at least two PSM areas across five countries; at least one PFM/PSM road map action implemented; regular coordination meetings.
3. PSM reforms prioritized and implemented – At least two agreed reforms per country implemented (economic planning, tax administration, accounting, internal audit, public service management, SOE management).

The TA aligns with ADB Strategy 2030, which emphasizes accelerating progress in gender equality. Some gender elements (SGE) are incorporated in policy advice, technical support, and training. Activities may include promoting gender-sensitive budgeting, ensuring participation of women in workshops, and considering gender impacts in public sector reform

• Delivery of public goods and services enhanced.
• Efficiency and effectiveness of public resource use improved.
• At least two PSM diagnostics/assessments endorsed by ministries/cabinets.
• Three or more policy notes/briefs produced and disseminated.
• Structured capacity-building delivered across multiple countries; ≥50% of participants reported improved technical know-how.
• At least two reforms successfully implemented in each targeted country; key findings from assessments incorporated into policy/practice.
• Improved coordination among governments and development partners in PSM.
April 2024 Update: TA support to Fiji and Samoa was mobilized earlier this year supporting areas of change management, monitoring and evaluation, and cost-based analysis. Cook Islands: The government functional review was completed in November last year and was to be presented to parliament. Kiribati: IF
MIS rollout was completed in March this year and additional recruitment of TA support for the reconciliation of 2023 accounts to the new system is in process. Public financial management support was mobilized in December last year to support design of upcoming policy-based lending (PBL) operations being considered for 2024 and 2025 for Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa.The extension of the TA completion date beyond June 2024 is in process. Discussions are also underway with donors for continued support to DMC's in public sector reform priorities.

• In the technical assistance report 2020, total fund was made by the ADB ($1.50m USD) and New Zealand Government ($0.65m USD), however over the years another added technical assistance special fund of ($2.00m USD) and assistance from the government of Australia of ($0.39m USD) are shown on the adb website: which totals up to ($4.54 million USD)
• The governments of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu will provide support in the form of providing relevant data and information, counterpart staff, office accommodation, communications facilities for consultants, and other in-kind contributions.
• Government Ministries of Finance in each participating country (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu)
• Various locations where the project was planned for implementation include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu.

The Technical Assistance explicitly strengthens capacity in ministries of finance, central planning agencies, and sector ministries. Activities include:
• Training and on-the-job capacity building in public financial management, procurement, economic planning, human resource management, SOE management, tax administration, and debt management.
• Enhancing strategic policy dialogue and knowledge sharing across the seven countries.
• Developing structured capacity-building programs across multiple PSM areas.