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AusAID Australian Leadership Award Fellowships (ALAF) and Government Partnerships for Development (GPFD) programs . International Agencies and Governments Program . Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor International . International Agencies & Governments Program.
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AusAID Australian Leadership Award Fellowships (ALAF) and Government Partnerships for Development (GPFD) programs International Agencies and Governments Program Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor International
International Agencies & Governments Program IAGP - Specialist Service Delivery to the University of Sydney Key role and purpose • Identify, develop and manage international projects and engagement opportunities in strategic-directed research, capacity building and mobility Inputs/services • Sector knowledge, regional intelligence, contacts and partnerships, grant/tender development, project management and advice Outputs/results • Competitive applications, successful project delivery, stronger partnerships, international track record, new opportunities, repeat business • Knowledge transfer, staff mobility, increased revenue
AusAID ALAF program overview GOAL: to develop appropriately trained current and aspiring leaders in priority areas, who, in the short to medium term, will be in a position to advance key regional policy objectives and increase institutional capacity of partner countries (who can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes). AIM: to develop leadership, address priority regional development issues, and build partnerships and linkages between Australian organisations and partner organisations in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East.
AusAID ALAF program overview Short term opportunities for study, research and professional attachment programs in Australia which build expertise and leadership capacity. The University of Sydney builds and strengthens links with organisations in developing countries by offering professional development opportunities in Australia. The ALAF Program is designed to complement individual bilateral country programs by offering flexible Fellowship placements which address current and emerging issues at the country, sub-regional and regional level.
AusAID ALAF • Programs in priority areas, including: disability and development, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation. • Two rounds offered per year, a competitive grant application process. • Round 13 opens 15 October, closing 21 Nov (external date – internal closing date is 16 Nov). Funding outcomes known in ~April 2013 (contracts in ~May), for programs commencing from July 2013 onwards. • Round 14 will open ~ May/June 2013. Funding outcomes known in November 2013, for programs commencing from January 2014 onwards. • Do not lead to academic qualifications (apply for an AusAID ALAS or ADS instead), not for programs already commenced, not multi-year and only for in-Australia activities (pre-departure and post-fellowship activities are co-contributions).
Activities are expected to fall into two major classes • Professional attachment Fellowships: • emphasis is placed on intensive management training, peer-to-peer learning, short-term training, knowledge sharing, twinning, professional attachments, leadership and/or executive management training. • Academic Fellowships: • specialised research, seminars, short intensive professional programs, and skills development. Academic Fellowship programs must include activities outside the academic study to enhance the Fellow’s professional experience and provide networking opportunities. This could include site visits, seminars and work placements. • No formal English proficiency test required (we are responsible for ensuring fellows have adequate English to participate in the program, determined through the fellow nomination process).
Programs may be bilateral or multilateral • Bilateral – involving Fellow(s) in counterpart organisation(s) from one overseas country only. • eg: Round 11 (and previous rounds), the Hoc Mai Foundation has been awarded funding under the development issue of “health” with health professionals from Vietnam. • Multilateral – Fellows coming from a number of counterpart organisations and countries in the region to work on a common issue. • eg: Round 11, Shailendra Sawleshwarkar, Adrian Mindel, Richard Hillman, Mary Louise Caldwell have invited 25 fellows coming from Africa, India and Cambodia to work on a health project entitled “Short Intensive Professional Program in HIV (SIPP-HIV)”.
Eligible countries Asia Pacific Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cook Islands, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Wallis & Futuna. Latin America and Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela. Africa Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Republic of Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Palestinian Territories Applications relating to the Palestinian Territories are also eligible. Guidelines for round 13 are here: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/Documents/alaf-guidelines-round13.pdf
AusAID ALAF program USyd has applied for ALAFs since Round One, commenced in 2007.
Funding • Up to $35,000 available per fellow to cover: • Return air travel (from international hub only, not domestic flights within fellow’s home country) • Relevant in-Australia travel • Training/course costs (can include conference registration fees) • Accommodation and living expenses (living allowance of up to $80 per day) • Medical insurance costs when in Australia (for award holder only) *note: not a requested budget item for USyd applications, put as host contribution • Special assistance for people with disability • Program overhead fee (10% or maximum of $25,000) • Programs must be a minimum of 10 days in Australia (not including travel) and usually go for up to 3 months (can be longer). • Fellows can come on a 576 AusAID visa (nil application fee, letter of support from AusAID and USyd for OSHC)
Co-contributions in Budget • Important part of assessment are the co-contributions from the home and host organisations • Medical insurance now covered under the University of Sydney Chubb insurance policy for international visiting fellows • Staff salaries and allowances • Administrative and support costs (use EA scales for HEO staff) http://sydney.edu.au/hr/eb/documents/University_of_Sydney_Enterprise_Agreement_2009-2012_FINAL.pdf • Management costs (use EA scales for academic staff) http://sydney.edu.au/hr/eb/documents/University_of_Sydney_Enterprise_Agreement_2009-2012_FINAL.pdf • Travel expenses • Follow up activities/mentoring • Office/Operating expenses • Visa expenses (not eligible for funding) • Communication costs • Translating and associated costs • Hospitality costs (networking, welcome function) • Office accommodation (workstation, library) • Professional Indemnity Insurance
Important selection criteria include • the likely impactof the program or activities • Evidence that the program accords with priorities for policy and development agenda and suitability to achieve the proposed impact • Transfer/exchange of knowledge to achieve skills • Strengthen leadership potential and contribute to capacity building • the leadership potential and quality of nominated fellows to assume leadership roles and influence policy reform and development outcomes • the level of support from the overseas counterpart organisation(s) and the sustainability of linkages between the Australian organisation and the overseas counterpart organisation(s) and fellows • How we will maintain links and support when fellows return (coaching, joint research and follow up visits)? • the capacity of the Australian organisation to support the program or activities. • Size and nature of the co-contribution and overall costs (including course costs) reasonable? • Reporting and acquittal (Activity Completion Reports and financial pro forma). • The selection panels may take past performance in reporting into consideration during the selection process for the current round.
Short-listing of applications Sent to Overseas diplomatic missions for comment and ranking (including USyd’s presence in country, appropriateness of counterpart organisation, nominated fellows and proposed activities) AusAID takes into account in-country post feedback and rankings Extra weighting for activities in priority areas Strongly recommend contacting AusAID Posts in country to determine likelihood of success prior to submitting application Outcomes will be notified in April 2013 with contracts in May 2013 (programs commence in July 2013). Be quick to organise visas, it takes some time! The processing time for this visa is between 2 and 8 weeks. http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/576-2/index.htm
Eligible applications should include • 1. Application Form (now online) • Attach relevant MoUs and evidence of linkages • 2. Budget (Excel spreadsheet) • Co contributions are an important part of the ALAF program • Funds are required to be acquitted in each category • 3. Letter of support from each home organisation and fellow nominated • 4. CV template from each fellow (signed) which includes a “return to work plan” showing how the program will contribute to the overall capacity of the counterpart organisation. • 5. Summary details of each nominated fellow (Excel spreadsheet)
Application Form tips • Goals and purposes (section 6) and Outcomes (section 8) should be linked to AusAID priorities for that country/region (see http://www.ausaid.gov.au/countries/Pages/default.aspx) • Worth a chat to the AusAID in country post, Embassy, Consul General (particularly for welcome reception, if program is funded) • Rationale and process for nominating fellows needs to be articulated, (inclusive of gender equality and disability) - merit based procedure conducted collaboratively with partner in country. • Joint objectives (section 10) and follow up implementation/sustainability (section 12) • Linkages (section 11) and capability statement (section 15) at the organisational level and individual level, including letter of support from each partner
Online application process from round 13 onward • Online application system (Smartygrants) • Register and Log in (only one person can access it at a time) • Save as you go. • Provide log on details to us for checking BEFORE submission.
Contacts at DVC International Danielle Somers David Boyd danielle.somers@sydney.edu.audavid.boyd@sydney.edu.au Ph: 9351 8743 Ph: 9114 0525 Internal deadline for round 13 is 16th November to allow for institutional signature, checking and courier (for paper based application) to Canberra for 21st November deadline.
Government Partnerships for Development • Background & Purpose (“The Why?”) A new initiative by AusAID, replacing the Public Sector Linkages Program. Developed on recommendation by the Independent Aid Review 2011 and in alignment with the Australian Government’s response and new aid policy to 2015-16 - An Effective Aid Program for Australia. Supports Australia’s Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework to 2015-16 (CAPF) to help overcome poverty and address the Millennium Development Goals more effectively and efficiently. CAPF is a four-year plan for how, why and where Australian aid will be spent to 2015-16 and the results that will be achieved with that investment. It will guide growth in the aid budget to 0.45 per cent of GNI, or an estimated $7.7 billion by 2015-16.
Government Partnerships for Development Implementation (“The How?”) • GPFD will replace both PSLPs from 2012-13 (Asia and Pacific PSLP). • Federal Budget 2012-13: Allocation of $52.8 million over four years. • GPFD will facilitate partnerships between Australian public sector organisations and their development country counterparts to enable exchange of skills, experience and knowledge in support of Australia’s aid program goals to effectively achieve AusAID’s Five Strategic Goals. • Activities must have a focus on assisting the development of the partner country and its public sector, including internships and placements, training and capacity building workshops, twinning arrangements and policy research. • Guidelines currently being finalised. First round expected Q1, 2013. • All Sydney submissions will be coordinated by the International Portfolio (International Agencies and Governments Program).
Government Partnerships for Development • Implementation (“The What?”) • AusAID’s Five Strategic Goals will inform likely funding allocation of GPFD funds across thematic areas: • Saving Lives (19%) - public health; maternal/child health; WASH; and disease prevention, vaccination & treatment. • Promoting Opportunities for All (21%) - education; women’s empowerment; disability. • Sustainable Economic Development (26%) - food security; enterprise development; climate change/environment. • Effective Governance (19%) - public service delivery; security; justice and human rights. • Humanitarian and Disaster Response (10%) - effective responses to disasters and crises.
Government Partnerships for Development • Implementation (“The Where?”) GPFD will be delivered in accordance with AusAID’s country, regional and global program strategies. The Aid Budget is organised by regional groups – Pacific, East Asia, South and West Asia (incl. Afghanistan and Pakistan), sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Asia and the Pacific will continue to be the highest priority regions, receiving around 75% of Australian aid. 12 largest bilateral aid recipients in the Asia-Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, East Timor, Pakistan, Cambodia, Burma and Vanuatu.
Contacts at DVC International Thomas SoemKate Lollback International Development Manager (Resources) Program Manager, International Development (Resources and Pacific) E: thomas.soem@sydney.edu.au E:kate.lollback@sydney.edu.au P: 9036 5140 P: 9114 1153