Contractors see opportunity for private sector in AusAID reform

How will Australia’s move to re-integrate AusAID and the whole foreign aid portfolio into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade affect private contractors? The changes in the country’s aid landscape could actually be a very interesting opportunity for the private sector to become more engaged and transform development work, according to Mel Dunn, URS Australia General Manager for International Development and chair of IDC, the country’s top association of private contractors in the industry. “There’s a real possibility that engagement with the private sector becomes deeper,” he said in a video interview with Devex Partner and Global Head for Membership & Alliances Alan Robbins. Dunn noted contractors are “cautiously optimistic” about the re-integration of AusAID into DFAT, as signals coming from the department point to a pivotal moment to transform the way in which the private sector has been traditionally involved in development work, especially now with the dwindling foreign aid budget. “Instead of thinking, how do we spend that [money] well, let’s think, how we can leverage [the private sector] for other spending possibilities,” he explained, adding that it’s really about how you stimulate the sector: “One plus one could equal four or five. Step outside of the box.” Join the Devex community and gain access to more in-depth analysis, breaking news and business advice — and a host of other services — on international development, humanitarian aid and global health. See more: - Job cuts confirmed following AusAID-DFAT integration - More transparency for more aid effectiveness in Australia - After CIDA, AusAID: Australia ‘integrates’ aid into foreign affairs