Relevant Projects:

BENIN DECENTRALIZATION SUPPORT PROGRAM TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

IPA is leading a team in Benin to conduct a training needs assessment and lay the foundations for a broad-based training program for government officials on key issues of decentralization. Activities to be implemented will prepare central level officials, regional authorities including Technical Directorates (health and education) and local actors to fulfill their responsibilities right after the local elections are held in December 2002. The current priorities for the project are: a general needs assessment, the identification of key actors to be engaged in both the decentralization implementation process itself, and in the training-pedagogical support process, and the organization and conduct of the National Assessment Roundtable. This work is funded by USAID, in partnership with Research Triangle Institute. 2002-2003.

PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS TRAINING IN BOSNIA

IPA is leading a team of professionals in developing improved public sector accounting systems with government officials in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzogovina and the Republika Srpska. As lead contractor, IPA directs a multi-disciplinary team whose tasks include: assessing current governmental accounting and budgeting policies and procedures; developing a new, integrated financial management system; providing technical support and training in the use of the new system; and supporting the development of a non-governmental organization to move forward additional accounting reforms. This work is funded by USAID and is being performed in collaboration with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Emerging Markets. 1999-present.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN CROATIA

In 2001, IPA's International program began working with the Croatian Parliament and municipalities to undertake civil service reform and financial management capacity, and to foster a more responsive political process. IPA has also been working with municipalities conducting training for local government officials throughout the country on financial management to assist local government and to be as independent from central government budgeting mechanisms as possible. This work has included developing a model for financial analysis, to assist local governments in becoming familiar with budget preparation and execution, to be trial tested in four cities. Additional work included providing support to municipalities that had been enabled by a 1993 Constitutional amendment that enabled them to propose legislation, to referendum and to create civic organizations. The project also focused on reviewing and evaluating draft versions of legislation and the rights of public officials in local and regional self-government and on local civil servants and laborers. 2001 to present.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN GEORGIA

IPA is conducting a series of training seminars on financial management for local government officials in Tbilisi and selected municipalities throughout Georgia. The seminars focused on improved budgeting practices such as program budgeting, budget transparency, development of fiscal indicators, revenue maximization, and capital budgeting. This project is part of the USAID sponsored Local Government Assistance Initiative and is being performed under subcontract with The Urban Institute. 2001 to present.

FOUNDATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT INNOVATION IN INDONESIA

IPA has launched a three-year, USAID-funded project to establish the "Foundation for Local Government Innovation" in Jakarta, Indonesia. As Local Government Management Specialist/Resident Advisor, IPA Senior Staff member John Tabor is providing lead technical expertise to create a permanent organization focused on improving public policy and government management. The Foundation will provide expert advice, policy analysis, and training and technical assistance services primarily to local governments and their associations. It is anticipated that the Foundation will operate largely on a "fee for service" basis, thus offering the prospect of generating a significant amount of its own operating income. IPA is performing this work in collaboration with The Urban Institute, Chemonics International and Indonesian public officials. 2001-2004.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRAINING IN SLOVAKIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, IPA worked with the Institute for Public Administration of Slovakia and the Institute of Local Administration of the Czech Republic to develop training programs for new local governments. These projects, funded through a grant from USAID, aimed to build the capacity of both institutions to train locally elected officials and municipal and district managers. IPA's team worked closely with Czech and Slovak counterparts to develop appropriate course modules on town management, democratic participation in local development decisions, and approaches to contracting out government services. In addition, training of trainers and teaching materials and equipment were provided. The projects resulted in the adoption of a series of town management seminars as part of the permanent curricula of the two institutions. 1991-1993.

PROCUREMENT REFORM AND TRAINING IN CZECH REPUBLIC

IPA assisted local governments in the Czech Republic to implement procurement systems for public goods and services that foster open and fair competition. With USAID funding, an intensive training-of-trainers program institutionalized a training course in procurement systems at both the University of Pardubice and the Fund for the Development of Local Administration. IPA provided technical assistance to five pilot municipalities (Decin, Pardubice, Pizen, Olomouc, and Liberec) regarding procurement for items including vehicles, construction, heavy equipment, and maintenance services. IPA also delivered training in public procurement to university trainers and local government officials throughout the Czech Republic. The project was successful in providing Czech municipalities with models for dealing with the problems relating to conflicts of interest and soliciting competitive bids within a limited local economy. 1995-1996.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TRAINING FOR POLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

IPA arranged U.S. government internships for students from Poland's National School of Public Administration for four years; IPA Associate Dona Wolf managed the federal agency internships in Washington DC. Visits to New York City introduced the interns to government at the local level. A highlight of the 1995 program was a visit to the Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center in Brooklyn, a rehabilitated industrial building serving as a community cooperative for small businesses, where the interns learned about economic development efforts in an industrial area, and the impact of community involvement in local government. After graduation from the National School, the students work in Poland's senior civil service. The National School reports that, "The first studies assessing the work of the National School show that the knowledge and experience they [students] have gained in the course of their internships are widely used in their jobs." 1992-95.

FISCAL REFORM TRAINING IN UZBEKISTAN

CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING IN MACEDONIA

IPA assisted the national government of Macedonia to develop a modern civil service system, create an administrative code of ethics, develop procedures to open government to public participation, and implement a comprehensive process for administrative rule-making. As part of its technical assistance, IPA's resident and short-term advisors conducted workshops for central and local government officials, using case studies, to explore desired components of a conflict of interest law, the organization of a civil service system, and the benefits of including citizen participation provisions in an administrative procedures law. 1996-1998.

CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING IN POLAND

In Warsaw, Poland, IPA delivered a seminar for 90 Polish public servants on the structure and management of the U.S. Civil Service. Sponsored by USAID/Warsaw, this two-day seminar assisted in the current debate about the best way to approach the new civil service system in Poland. The seminar acquainted the following group of participants with key aspects of U.S. personnel management policies and practices: representatives of the Council of Ministers (URM), key legislators from the committees considering administrative reform proposals, and representatives from the 49 regional districts (voivoidships). This seminar marked the beginning of USAID/Warsaw's public administration program. 1994. In Poland, with the support of The Pew Charitable Trusts, IPA assisted the National School of Public Administration to develop an in-service training program for government managers and train faculty in case study methods for Master's level courses in public administration. IPA worked closely with the National School to assist in developing curricula, selecting visiting faculty to conduct courses and seminars, arranging exchange visits by officials and faculty of the School, initiating teaching-methods workshops, developing an English language library of teaching and research materials, advancing linkages among the School, other training schools, private and non-governmental agencies, research organizations, and universities worldwide, and conducting specific operational tasks, such as facilities and equipment planning. 1991-1993.

SUPPORT TO INDONESIA'S NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

In Indonesia, IPA provided technical assistance to the National Institute of Public Administration (LAN) to implement Managerial Skills Analysis in various government ministries. Resident IPA advisors provided guidance on training needs assessment and curriculum development, and helped develop a decision-making process within the Government of Indonesia to select and implement a position classification system. 1990-1991. Civil Service Training in China In China, IPA has served as chief technical advisor to the Ministry of Personnel on Civil Service Reform and related training. The project was funded by the United Nations Development Program. 1989-1990.

TRAINING IN BANGLADESH

IPA was invited to assist the Government of Bangladesh in augmenting its civil service and training capacities. Project work involved upgrading the quality and increasing the instructional capacity of existing public service training institutes in Dhaka and their integration into a Public Administration Training Centre. This work encompassed development of management and supervisory training capabilities in four regional training centers and the Staff Training Institute. IPA also assisted the Ministry of Establishment in upgrading its capacity as the central personnel and management services agency. 1983-86. Training Support to Government of Indonesia In Indonesia, IPA has cooperated with the National Development Planning Board (BAPPENAS) of the Government of Indonesia (GOI) in developing the institutional capacity of its Overseas Training Office (OTO) and in administering graduate degree and non-degree fellowships granted to GOI civil servants. IPA has administered fellowships for over 800 participants, and is currently supporting graduate degree students in North America and Europe. The fellowships are financed by World Bank and Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) loans to the GOI. Fields of study include public policy analysis, environmental conservation and sustainable economic development, and administration and management of public institutions. IPA's fellowship support activities to participants include placement, academic monitoring and advising and financial administration of all allowances. 1980-1998