Section 4: Conclusions & Recommendations This review found that, despite reasonable performance by the managing contractor, the terms of the original PACTAM design have been superseded by subsequent policy changes in AusAID. In terms of the retrospective aspects of this review, the review team found that, in overall terms, PACTAM has been providing a useful service of recruiting staff to fill necessary positions in Pacific Island governments. PACTAM positions are appreciated by partner countries and PACTAM fills an important niche. These positions are relevant to the partner government and the Australian government’s priorities and the managing contractor was generally found to have met expectations set out in the 2006 contract. Indeed, in some areas of its work, the managing contractor can be commended - such as proactively inducting deployees in cultural issues, encouraging gender and disability sensitivity and reinforcing capacity development, despite this not being an overt aspect of the contract. However, the review found fundamental weaknesses in the current PACTAM model. These include issues of blurred accountability, low partner government ownership, as well as questions over efficiency and performance management. At a deeper level, the review questions whether technical advisers can engender sustained capacity gains without attempts to address the wider issues which undermine capacity development and retention in the Pacific. 4.1 Recommendations This review was tasked to make recommendations for improving the delivery, effectiveness and capacity building efforts of technical assistance personnel to the Pacific, under a mechanism such as PACTAM. In looking prospectively, it is important to delineate the provision of TA (in a reconfigured PACTAM mechanism) from the deeper, more complex, issues of engendering sustainable capacity development. Recommendations for both are discussed separately below. 1: Revise the PACTAM mechanism The review findings make it clear that the design of the PACTAM mechanism is out of step with recent developments in AusAID policies and the modalities of the aid effectiveness agenda. PACTAM should be revised according to principles of good practice and in line with AusAID’s Policy on the Use of Advisers. The following changes to the mechanism are recommended. Recommendation 1.1 In accordance with the findings set out in this report, the revised mechanism should be guided by the following principles: Greater leadership of the partner government in all aspects of the recruitment and management processes Clearer of accountability to the partner government
Section 4: Conclusions & Recommendations This review found that, despite reasonable performance by the managing contractor, the terms of the original PACTAM design have been superseded by subsequent policy changes in AusAID. In terms of the retrospective aspects of this review, the review team found that, in overall terms, PACTAM has been providing a useful service of recruiting staff to fill necessary positions in Pacific Island governments. PACTAM positions are appreciated by partner countries and PACTAM fills an important niche. These positions are relevant to the partner government and the Australian government’s priorities and the managing contractor was generally found to have met expectations set out in the 2006 contract. Indeed, in some areas of its work, the managing contractor can be commended - such as proactively inducting deployees in cultural issues, encouraging gender and disability sensitivity and reinforcing capacity development, despite this not being an overt aspect of the contract. However, the review found fundamental weaknesses in the current PACTAM model. These include issues of blurred accountability, low partner government ownership, as well as questions over efficiency and performance management. At a deeper level, the review questions whether technical advisers can engender sustained capacity gains without attempts to address the wider issues which undermine capacity development and retention in the Pacific. 4.1 Recommendations This review was tasked to make recommendations for improving the delivery, effectiveness and capacity building efforts of technical assistance personnel to the Pacific, under a mechanism such as PACTAM. In looking prospectively, it is important to delineate the provision of TA (in a reconfigured PACTAM mechanism) from the deeper, more complex, issues of engendering sustainable capacity development. Recommendations for both are discussed separately below. 1: Revise the PACTAM mechanism The review findings make it clear that the design of the PACTAM mechanism is out of step with recent developments in AusAID policies and the modalities of the aid effectiveness agenda. PACTAM should be revised according to principles of good practice and in line with AusAID’s Policy on the Use of Advisers. The following changes to the mechanism are recommended. Recommendation 1.1 In accordance with the findings set out in this report, the revised mechanism should be guided by the following principles: Greater leadership of the partner government in all aspects of the recruitment and management processes Clearer of accountability to the partner government