Use of advisers in the Australian aid program

AusAID uses advisers to support partner governments, AusAID and other partners in the implementation of the aid program.  An adviser’s assignment can range from providing short-term technical expertise to working closely with counterparts for several years to build local skills and expertise in areas like health, education and food security. Advisers are an effective and flexible way of delivering the aid program and can make an important contribution to a country’s development.

Since early 2010 AusAID has introduced a series of reforms to ensure better value for money and greater effectiveness from the use of advisers in the aid program. As a result we now have in place:

• a standardised Adviser Remuneration Framework that requires all commercially-engaged international advisers to be paid in accordance with structured and benchmarked professional fees and a restricted set of allowances
• an agreed view with our partner governments on how adviser positions will be identified and managed based on the 2010 Joint Adviser Review
• a clear policy that sets minimum standards for the planning, selection and performance management of advisers
• a system for regular monitoring and analysis of adviser use and remuneration practices.

Together, these reforms ensure there is a comprehensive and rigorous approach guiding the aid program’s use and remuneration of advisers. They support AusAID’s aim to make greater use of other forms of technical assistance (such as scholarships, volunteers, leadership awards, and twinning arrangements), and to only use advisers when they are considered the most effective response to agreed development needs. Where advisers are used, they will be paid in line with transparent, benchmarked standards and will clearly represent value for money.

Related links and documents

• Adviser Stocktake Reports
• Joint Adviser Review Report February 2011 including Country Specific Review Reports
• Operational Policy
• Adviser Remuneration Framework
• APS Adviser Report