Dominica’s Resilience Blueprint: Building Institutional Capacity for Climate Challenges

CREAD 4th September, 2023

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Dr. Irving McIntyre flanked by graduates

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality. The impacts of more frequent and severe weather events, rising temperatures, and changing precipitation patterns are being felt worldwide with islands such as Dominica feeling the brunt of the impacts of these changes.

With devastation wrought by category 5 Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Dominica experienced a loss of 226% of its GDP, a 90% demolition to its housing stock and billions of dollars in infrastructural damage. Like many other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Dominica continues to be acutely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. These threats pose severe risks to lives, livelihoods, and the environment.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Dominica has set a bold vision to not only adapt to these challenges but also to thrive in a climate-volatile world.To effectively address these challenges, effort has been made to build and improve the island’s institutional capacity; with focus being placed on the development of a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.

CREAD in response, has initiated the capacity building programme for the public service, with project management officers benefitting from topics on effective project management and contract administration. Added to this, twenty-eight senior public officers also benefitted from the Development Management Training Programme, commissioned by CREAD and delivered by the University of the West Indies. The year-long program offered senior-level public officials an opportunity to enhance their skills to manage the country’s developmental needs effectively and efficiently.

The programme’s comprehensive curriculum plays a pivotal role in equipping public officers with the essential knowledge and skills for the effective functioning of governmental bodies. By focusing on key areas such as the Caribbean Economy, Disaster and Risk management, Developing Leadership Presence, Strategic Planning and Management, and Essential of Project Management, graduates were empowered to address the complex challenges that the nation faces.

Sustained collaboration with government ministries ensures that established policies are not only crafted but also executed effectively, with the flexibility to adapt as needed. The Performance Enhancement and Human Resource Online Training Platform and Capacity Building project, funded by UNDP-FCDO and initiated by CREAD, is being executed by the Government’s Establishment, Personnel, and Training Department to facilitate the training of public officials.

The introduction of the e-learning format of the Employee Assessment and Development Review (EADR) is pivotal in driving organisational transformation, as it uses digital means to seamlessly aligns the strategic results planning framework with individual staff members. This strategy is geared toward improving performance in the public service and enhancing the skillset of managers, including Permanent Secretaries and recruits into the public service. Public officers underwent comprehensive training and assessment using the eight (8) segment module. This guaranteed that individuals aiming to progress in their careers and pursue promotions at any level acquire the necessary foundational knowledge.

A capable public service can maintain stability during crises, enabling effective disaster response and recovery efforts. With enhanced capacity, policies and initiatives can be implemented efficiently, ensuring timely action and maximum impact. Institutional capacity allows for flexibility in response to changing circumstances, ensuring that Dominica remains agile in the advent of evolving climate threats.

Enhancing the institutional capacity of the public service is of utmost importance to Dominica as it strives to bolster its resilience against the challenges posed by climate change. Through investments in its human resources, policies, and operational procedures, Dominica is not only securing its future but also serving as an admirable model of resilience in the face of adversity.