Our governance expertise spans institutional transformation, digital government modernization, and performance-driven public sector reform. We help governments strengthen institutions, improve public investment management, and create an enabling environment that attracts private capital.
FEATURED Governance PROJECTS
Highlights from our portfolio demonstrating institutional transformation and public sector reform.
FCDO | £37.5M | 2020-2025 | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Driving fiscal reform and climate-smart public investment
Impact
- £236M annual fiscal savings through pension and PFM reforms
- $4B investment pipeline developed through strengthened planning
- Performance-based budgeting and digital governance systems implemented
Our Role
Technical advisory support across public financial management, pension reform, investment planning systems, and digital government infrastructure.
USAID | 2017 | Iraq
Designing conflict-sensitive governance frameworks for stabilization
Impact
- Stabilization monitoring toolkit operationalized across conflict zones
- Governance assessment frameworks validated in fragile contexts
- Institutional capacity measurement adapted for post-conflict environments
Our Role
Lead technical advisor designing conflict-sensitive assessment and monitoring frameworks for stabilization interventions and institutional recovery.
USAD | 2023 | Armenia
Strengthening budget oversight and and public financial management
Impact
- Budget oversight capacity gaps identified and prioritized
- Reform bottlenecks across budget cycle mapped and addressed
- Parliamentary budget oversight functions strengthened
Our Role
Institutional assessment support evaluating budget planning, execution, reporting, and oversight functions for National Assembly capacity building.
DFID | £203.5M | 2017-2021 | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Strengthening education governance and service delivery systems
Impact
- Education governance evaluated across 30,000+ schools
- Public financial management and service delivery effectiveness measured
- Evidence-based management systems assessed for sustainability
Our Role
Independent evaluator assessing governance effectiveness, institutional capacity, public financial management, and policy implementation systems.
USAID | $17M | 2022-2025 | Pakistan
Strengthening investment governance and FDI promotion
Impact
- Federal and provincial investment agency capacity strengthened
- $133M investment inquiries generated through institutional reforms
- Regulatory frameworks streamlined for investment facilitation
Our Role
Institutional reform advisory support for strengthening Board of Investment, provincial agencies, and investment governance frameworks.
Asian Development Bank | 2023-2026 | Regional - Multi-Country
Validating multilateral technical assistance effectiveness
mpact
- 50+ technical assistance interventions validated for effectiveness
- Institutional uptake and sustainability assessed across interventions
- Development effectiveness standards applied across MDB operations
Our Role
Independent validator assessing relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and institutional reform contributions of ADB technical assistance projects.
GOVERNANCE PROJECT Portfolio
Our portfolio demonstrates depth of expertise across diverse countries, clients, and development challenges
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Programme (SEED)
Client: FCDO | Value: £37.5 million | Duration: 2020-2025 | Geography: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Description: Development Executives was a key local subcontractor on the seven year SEED programme. The programme was geared towards supporting provincial economic development and sustainable energy in Pakistan. The programme supported the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), to plan and finance the infrastructure and investment it needed for growth, jobs and prosperity. The programme also addressed Pakistan’s energy crisis by providing innovative financial solutions to industry for the adoption of sustainable energy practices.
Key Results: Supported KP pension reform generating £49 million annual savings | Improved public investment design generating £187M annual savings | Identified $4 billion investment pipeline | Established KP Open Data portal for evidence-based governance
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Programme (KESP) Performance and Process Evaluation
Client: DFID | Duration: 2017-2021 | Value: £203.5 million education programme | Geography: Khyber
Description: Development Executives was part of a consortia that has been retained by DFID to provide performance and process evaluation support to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Program (KESP). The objective of this program was to assess the effectiveness of KESP and its contribution (financial and technical) to the programme’s outcome (more children in school, staying longer and learning more). The project was also geared towards assessing whether specific strategies and approaches supporting outputs leading to outcomes had the intended impact, as well as providing timely analysis around DFID’s contribution to the programme, as well as the role of technical assistance.
Key Expertise: Assessed KESP effectiveness and institutional contribution | Evaluated policy implementation and service delivery effectiveness | Measured institutional reform progress in KP | Generated provincial-level governance and education delivery evidence
Armenia Public Finance Management Activity
Client: USAID/Armenia | Duration: 2023 | Value: $3.2 million | Geography: Armenia
Description: Performance-based evaluation of government financial management reforms and institutional capacity building.
Key Results: Evaluated PFM reform effectiveness | Assessed institutional capacity building | Measured transparency improvement in public finance | Generated evidence on institutional reform sustainability
Pakistan Investment Promotion Activity
Client: USAID | Duration: 2022-2025 | Value: $17 million | Geography: Pakistan
Description: The purpose of the IPA was to strengthen Pakistan’s business enabling environment to build greater credibility of Pakistani institutions and improve the ecosystem for foreign direct investment and increase U.S.-Pakistan bi-lateral trade and investment. As a subcontractor, to this five year program, Development Executives worked closely with governments (federal and provincial) and private sector stakeholders (e.g., businesses, associations, investors, etc.) to strengthen the investment climate for foreign investors in Pakistan and promote opportunities for enhanced trade and investment between U.S. and Pakistan businesses
Key Expertise: Strengthened institutional capacity for investment | Enhanced business environment governance | Facilitated 754 one-on-one investor meetings | Generated $133.2 million in investment inquiries
Growth Gateway Programme
Client: FCDO | Duration: 2024-2026 | Value: £50 million | Geography: Multi-Country
Description: The £50m Growth Gateway Programme aims to drive increased two-way trade and investment between the UK and Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) and deliver significant benefits to both. The programme works directly and indirectly with the private sector to: provide digital guidance on export readiness, import regulations and financing options; deliver support to UK and LMIC firms to advance opportunities with positive development impact; and, deliver technical analysis to unlock sectoral and cross-cutting barriers and develop opportunity pipelines. As a supplier to the programme, Development Executives is relied on to provide specialized trade and investment as well as monitoring evaluation and learning related expertise to the programme.
Key Results: Applied gender mainstreaming compliance | Measured economic governance impact across countries
Framework Agreement for Technical Assistance Completion Report Validations
Client: Asian Development Bank | Duration: 2023-2026 | Geography: Philippines/Regional
Description: Development Executives was retained under a Framework Agreement with the Asian Development Bank’s Independent Evaluation Department to support the validation of Technical Assistance Completion Reports. The work involved assessing relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of technical assistance operations and synthesising lessons learned across countries and sectors.
Key Results: Regional multilateral development bank evaluation partnership | Technical assistance evaluation expertise | Institutional capacity building assessment
UNDP Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) - GPN Express Roster for Independent Evaluators
Client: United Nations Development Programme | Years: 2025-Ongoing | Country: Global | Value: Roster-based assignments
Description: Development Executives approved as expert evaluator on UNDP’s Global Performance Network (GPN) Express Roster for Independent Evaluators, enabling deployment for independent evaluation assignments across UNDP’s global portfolio. The roster status facilitates rapid engagement for evaluation design, methodology development, stakeholder consultation, performance assessment, and impact measurement across country offices and regional programmes.
Key Metrics: Global roster qualification | Independent evaluation services | UNDP IEO standards compliance | Quantum procurement system integration
Key Expertise: Independent evaluation | UNDP compliance | Development impact assessment | Multilateral standards | Global deployment capacity
Kemitraan Indonesia Australia untuk Infrastruktur (KIAT)
Client: DFAT | Value: Multi-million AUD | Duration: 2024-2026 | Geography: Indonesia
Description: The KIAT is a 10-year facility supported by the Australian Government and its overarching goal is to support ‘sustainable and inclusive economic growth through improved access to infrastructure for all people’. To support this goal, KIAT works with the Government of Indonesia (GoI) and other development partners to help achieve: improved GoI policy and regulatory framework for infrastructure development; high quality projects prepared and financed by GoI, the private sector and/or MDBs; high quality infrastructure delivery, management, and maintenance by GoI; and, infrastructure policies, design and delivery that are more inclusive for women and people with disabilities. As a Technical Assistance Panel member, Development Executives supports KIAT by providing a range of pre-qualified specialists to undertake technical assistance work on the project.
Key Results: AUD 374 million government budget mobilized | Infrastructure financing frameworks developed | PPP regulatory effectiveness assessment | Climate-resilient infrastructure financing evaluation
Global Delivery Development Framework
Client: FCDO | Duration: 2023-2025 | Value: Governance development programme | Geography: Global
Description: Comprehensive governance framework encompassing digital service delivery and institutional transformation approaches.
Key Results: Designed governance modernization frameworks | Integrated digital government systems | Developed institutional capacity building approaches | Enhanced service delivery mechanisms
DFID International Multi-Disciplinary Programme Framework Agreement (IMDP)
Client: DFID | Duration: 2019-2021 | Value: Multi-year framework agreement | Geography: Global MultiCountry
Description: Development Executives was a supplier for IMDP Framework Agreement which provided DFID to access advice and expertise in a cost efficient and effective manner across 11 thematic areas. Development Executives provided support across multiple IMDP lots which included: Conflict & Governance; Education; Infrastructure; Livelihoods; Social Development; and, Research.
Key Expertise: Delivered governance technical expertise across multiple thematic areas | Provided institutional reform advisory support | Supported multi-sector governance solutions | Generated evidence-based governance recommendations
Toolkit For Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation of Stabilization Activities
Client: USAID/Iraq | Duration: 2017 | Value: Specialized evaluation framework | Geography: Iraq
Description: Development Executives was retained to develop a toolkit to guide assessment, monitoring and evaluation of USAID/Iraq’s stabilization activities. Stabilization includes all projects designed to attract back internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original place of residence prior to being displaced as well those projects that will encourage them to stay (exclusive of demining and security). The toolkit covers all important factors and facets of developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation program. The toolkit also provides information and analysis on best practices as well as recommendations for technological innovation that can be leveraged to increase the Mission’s effectiveness towards developing, managing and implementing stabilization activities.
Key Expertise: Developed comprehensive stabilization assessment toolkit | Created real-time tracking systems | Designed third-party verification mechanisms | Established adaptive management frameworks for complex environments
Business Environment Reform Facility (BERF)
Client: DFID / UK-Pakistan | Duration: 2016 | Value: Policy research programme | Geography: Punjab Province
Description: Development Executives was retained to provide technical and advisory support for undertaking a research study for BERF focusing on identifying binding constraints and policy reform options for development of priority sectors in the Punjab province. The objectives of this research study were to: identify the binding constraints in the business environment to domestic investment and expansion in priority sectors (such as, agriculture, livestock, manufacturing and automotive sectors); assess potential of these sectors and implications of identified constraints in terms of economic growth, job creation, women’s economic empowerment, linkages with multinational firms and other spillovers to the local economy; and, provide policy reform recommendations.
Key Expertise: Identified binding constraints in business environment | Assessed sector-specific governance barriers | Provided policy reform recommendations | Supported government institutional strengthening
FATA Economic Stabilization Program (FESP)
Client: USAID | Duration: 2014-2016 | Value: $50 million | Geography: Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)
Description: FESP was a four-year, $50 million project to create jobs and improve economic opportunity in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The program was designed to help farmers to move beyond food insecure subsistence and support non-farm entrepreneurs, and do so in ways that: improve their livelihood; increase returns from investments in infrastructure that the US Government had made in FATA; and, contribute to further stabilization of FATA by building viable economic alternatives to militancy. The program was meant to serve as a bridge between short-term stabilization activities and longer-term more sustainable development. Development Executives was tasked with leading implementation of Component 2 of the program which focused on non-agricultural activities, such as: strengthening and establishing micro and small enterprises; strengthening supply chains between business operators in the tribal areas and those in the settled areas markets; rehabilitating market infrastructure; and, developing local business and trade associations.
Key Expertise: Led implementation of non-agricultural component | Strengthened micro and small enterprise governance | Developed supply chain governance mechanisms | Established local business associations and governance structures
Federally Administered Tribal Areas Investment Plan Study (FIPS)
Client: USAID | Duration: 2013-2014 | Value: Investment planning programme | Geography: FATA
Description: Development Executives was retained to develop a broad-based investment plan for FATA. The need for developing FIPS stems from the idea that it is timely to undertake a stock take of progress realized through an economic growth lens and to provide stakeholders with a road map of investment options available for increasing economic activity across FATA. The investment plan is being built upon in-depth analysis and assessment of key economic sectors (such as, agribusiness, livestock and dairy, fisheries, forests, trade, minerals, education and health) where growth can be realized. These investment plans will double as both as a strategic planning tool as well as a guiding instrument for stakeholder’s activities in FATA. Moreover, information provided in these plans will enable public and private sector stakeholders and donors to utilize and allocate resources more effectively for broad-based economic development of FATA.
Key Expertise: Developed comprehensive investment planning framework | Assessed FATA governance institutional capacity | Identified investment opportunities across sectors | Provided strategic governance planning tools
Evaluation of Georgia Wholesale Electricity Market (GWEM)
Client: EBRD | Duration: 2008 | Value: Technical assistance evaluation | Geography: Georgia
Description: Development Executives’ core team member assisted the EBRD in assessing technical assistance provided to GWEM which was geared towards: providing assistance in the management and operation of the GWEM according to the entities internal rules and the terms of the Georgian Electricity law; improving collections by enforcing disconnection; ensuring transparent reporting and remission of funds to power generators; reconciling supply and demand statistics; and, reporting on progress and analyzing volumes to understand financial flows.
Key Expertise: Evaluated electricity market governance framework | Assessed institutional operational effectiveness | Measured financial management and reporting effectiveness | Generated institutional reform recommendations
Municipal Environmental Action Program (MEAP)
Client: EBRD | Duration: 2008 | Value: EBRD investment and TA program | Geography: Macedonia
Description: Development Executives’ core team member assisted EBRD in assessing the MEAP which was a broad based EBRD investment and TC program designed to bring vital reforms to the water sector in Macedonia. As structured the MEAP involved providing assistance for: program management and coordination; preparation of design and tender documentation, assistance in procurement and contracting, construction supervision; implementation of the Financial and Operational Performance Improvement Program.
Key Expertise: Assessed water sector governance reforms | Evaluated program management effectiveness | Measured institutional capacity building outcomes | Generated infrastructure governance recommendations
Provincial Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
Client: UNDP / Government of NWFP | Duration: 2007 | Value: TA programme | Geography: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP)
Description: Development Executives’ core team member provided UNDP and the NWFP Government with planning support in the aftermath of the October 2005 earthquake. The Technical Assistance was geared towards enabling the government to establish sustainable mechanisms and structures for dealing with such disasters in future. The project involved: analyzing existing institutional framework for dealing with disasters; developing recommendations strengthening capacity of the government, including, creation of a Provincial Disaster Management Authority; and, developing a draft DRM plan for the Provincial Government.
Key Expertise: Analyzed existing institutional framework for disasters | Developed institutional strengthening recommendations | Supported creation of Provincial Disaster Management Authority | Developed DRM plan for provincial government
South Africa Export Promotion Manual (EPM)
Client: Commonwealth Secretariat | Duration: 2007-2008 | Value: Policy documentation | Geography: South Africa
Description: Development Executives’ core team member was retained by the Commonwealth Secretariat to assist South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry in preparing an EPM which will serve as a reference manual for Export Promotion Directorate staff and Foreign Economic Representatives (FERs) and to inform the rest of DTI on how they fit into the wider framework of export development policy and programs.
Key Expertise: Developed comprehensive export promotion governance framework | Clarified institutional roles and policy integration | Provided reference manual for government staff | Enhanced policy coherence across institutions
Irish Cooperation Programme in South East Asia
Client: Irish Aid | Duration: 2007 | Value: Strategic assessment | Geography: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Description: Development Executives’ core team member developed in-depth assessments of Southeast Asian economies that supported the development of Irish Aid’s Strategy for the region. The assessment focused on using Ireland’s growth experience to develop a strategy of engagement with high growth countries, such as, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. For each country, assessments of the patterns of growth, development challenges and assessment of government development plans and policies that fed into the final strategy report.
Key Expertise: Assessed Southeast Asian economic governance frameworks | Analyzed government development plans and policy coherence | Generated regional governance strategy recommendations | Provided evidence for strategic engagement
UNDP Lachi Poverty Reduction Project
Client: UNDP / DFID | Duration: 2003-2005 | Value: Multi-sectoral development | Geography: Kohat District, NWFP
Description: Development Executives core team member worked with UNDP’s Lachi Poverty Reduction Project as a Programme Manager. This multi- sectoral initiative was geared towards improving the livelihoods of over 100,000 inhabitants of the Lachi area of Kohat district in NWFP.
Key Expertise: Managed multi-sectoral governance coordination | Strengthened community-level institutions | Improved livelihood programme delivery governance | Established local institutional frameworks
Pakistan Community Infrastructure Program
Pakistan: Community Infrastructure Program Client: World Bank | Duration: 2003 | Value: Local governance assessment | Geography: Pakistan
Description: Development Executives’ core team member was retained by the World Bank to assess and strengthen the institutional linkages between various tiers found within Pakistan’s Local Government structure. Conducted detailed assessments of capacities, systems, and processes of local government bodies and identified gaps between their mandated institutional responsibilities and their ground-realities.
Key Expertise: Assessed local government institutional capacity | Identified capacity gaps and institutional barriers | Strengthened linkages between government tiers | Generated institutional strengthening recommendations
Balochistan Resource Management Programme (BRMP)
Client: ADB | Duration: 2004-2005 | Value: Provincial development strategy | Geography: Balochistan Province
Description: Development Executives’ core team member was retained by ADB to lead and manage the development of a broad-based Private Sector Development Strategy for Balochistan Province. The assignment required developing in-depth value chain assessments and analysis across a number of key economic sectors (such as, agriculture, horticulture, livestock, dairy, minerals and fisheries); advising businesses (domestic and foreign) and government on a range of public private partnership ownership and operating models; and, developing sector-specific action plans.
Key Expertise: Developed provincial development strategy governance framework | Assessed private sector governance capacity | Analyzed PPP models and institutional arrangements | Provided sectorspecific governance recommendations
Related Services
Modernizing governance initiatives often integrate capabilities from our other practice areas
Ready to Transform Your Governance Systems?
Let’s discuss how our proven expertise in institutional reform, public sector modernization, and governance innovation can support your development objectives