Development Practice Committee (DPC)

 

The Development Practice Committee (DPC) is an expert advisory group where learning and development practitioners from the not-for-profit sector meet to:

  • Lead good practice within the sector
  • Undertake applied research and development of tools and processes
  • Provide relevant advice to ACFID on key issues around development effectiveness affecting the sector
  • Engage with DFAT on development effectiveness practice.

DPC Vacancies

Are you interested in joining the DPC?  You would be joining a group of 10 sector practice leaders. 

The Development Practice Committee is looking for new members.  We are wanting to find people who are particularly interested in engaging with colleagues in the sector and supporting priority work around development practice with a focus on advising ACFID on:

-          climate change,

-          localisation, and/or

-          NGO engagement with DFAT on development practice issues.

 These will be the DPC focus areas for the foreseeable future.  We are looking for people who are engaged in organisational and program strategy and decision making and have experience in development practice.  The DPC works closely with other ACFID Committees and Advisory Bodies, so if you are interested in connecting more widely on these issues with peers in the sector and across the membership then this is a good group for you.

Please can you contact Kate Angus at the ACFID Secretariat to indicate interest in nominating yourself or someone in your organisation, or if you have any questions about the roles.

To nominate send Kate Angus a covering email that explains why you are interested in the position and what you will bring to the Committee.  You can refer to the specific topics mentioned above and to the DPC TOR.  Please attach a short resume with your expression of interest.

Date for nominations is no later than c.o.b. 19 April 2021 (extended).

Membership and Meetings

DPC meetings take place at least three times each year over either one or two days, rotating between Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra (Currently being held online in shorter sessions).

Members are expected to come to meetings well prepared and to bring the support of their organisation with them.

The DPC has eight members plus two co-chairs. DPC member terms run for three years which is renewable to encourage continuity.

The membership is open to anyone from an ACFID Member organisation with an interest in organisational learning in the international development sector and experience in program implementation and monitoring and evaluation. The group may also include external experts such as academics, engaged consultants or subject matter experts from think tanks.

Current DPC members are:

Co-chairs

Colin Scott, Global Mission Partners (Acting Chair)

Matthew Maury, Tearfund Australia, Board Champion (leave of absence)

Fiona Tarpey, Australian Red Cross (leave of absence)

Committee members

Tracy McDiarmid, International Women's Development Agency

Anthony Zwi, UNSW

Stav Zotalis, ActionAid

Charlotte Sterrett, World Vision Australia

Elsa Carnaby, Oxfam Australia

Vacant 

Vacant

Advisor

Dr Linda Kelly

Work

In 2021 the Committee is prioritising work around Climate Change and Localisation.

In 2020 the Committee prioritised work in the following areas:

  • Providing strategic advice and learning opportunities for members around implementation and demonstrating impact of our work, including against the Sustainable Development Goals (supporting the work of the MELCOP (ACFID's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Community of Practice);

  • Building a closer program of work between the development and humanitarian sector in areas such as localisation and demonstrating impact;

  • Supporting and advising ACFID members and the ACFID Secretariat in the rollout of new Australian Government development cooperation priorities and Partnerships for Recovery Strategy;
    See the ACFID/DPC/RDI Network/MEL COP Submission to the Government on the Policy Performance Framework, February 2020.

  • Advising as required on implications of COVID-19 on program effectiveness and quality and working with Sector Leaders to explore new ways of working;

  • Continuing to update and refresh/drive new Practice Notes to support member practice.

Over past years, DPC has played a key role in progressing the sector’s work on:

Contact

For more information see the DPC TOR or contact Kate Angus on 02 8123 2231.

Meetings

The last meeting was held virtually on 31 March 2021