Providing Expertise

Through our thematic specialists in public sector development, we provide specialised expertise and advisory services to member countries. These also serve CHOGM mandates including combating corruption, Commonwealth Connects, local governance and public expenditure management. This work is in the following areas:

• Governance which encompasses institutional governance arrangements, parliamentary oversight bodies and executive government coordination.
• Sub-national Administration and Government.
• Public Financial Management.
• Public-Private Partnerships and Corporate Governance.
• Information and Communications Technologies.
• Human Resource Management and Leadership.

An example is the Commonwealth Connects Programme which helps bridge the deepening Digital Divide across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. It is a unique initiative that enables transfer of technology and expertise across the whole Commonwealth. This programme works to make effective use of information and communication technology strategies, e-governance, and management of resources. Working with Commonwealth partner agencies and member countries, it taps into available resources to fast-track positive change.

Technical Expertise and Specialist Advice:

We provide specialist advisory services to help with national policy formulation and implementation. At governments' request, our advisers work alongside senior policy makers on reform or upgrading of the work of government departments and training institutions.

This impacts positively on individuals in countries across the Commonwealth who benefit from the improved services being offered by their government departments.

For example, we worked to strengthen the Judiciary in the Solomon Islands and Tonga through the placement of Judges. We provided doctors for Maldives and Pakistan after the Asian Tsunami of 2004 and the Pakistan Earthquake in 2005. A livestock specialist is currently helping Grenada rebuild the sector.

The Secretariat provides over 150 specialist consultants each year to Commonwealth countries. Many advise central government departments; others work in hospitals or in legal, trade, infrastructure or training institutions. Some are technical advisors; others are operational experts, working with and training government officials.