Michael Mulvaney

I am available for #consulting opportunities / offers of #work from June   I recently finished helping to organise some of the #ICT4D2024 Conference in Accra, Ghana, and have availability to take on a new opportunity so thought why not copy what some respected colleagues have done, and ask my Linked Community what might be around...   I have over 12 years’ experience as an #ICT4D practitioner and published researcher (and 10+ more in social tech in the UK before that), with a creative and yet practical approach to my work. My full CV (and my published research) can be seen on my website at www.matthaikin.com but below is a brief summary of some of my experience/skills and ways I might be able to help:   - Guiding development organisations in effective use of digital technologies (advice, training/learning, consulting) - Digital development strategy design and implementation (culture, processes, and systems) - Collaborative leadership and team management (up to co-CEO level and including on an interim basis) - Network and coalition building and strategic relationship management across the global ICT4D space - Convening, facilitation and participatory innovation processes - Designing, developing and implementing digital solutions for humanitarian / development actors   At the helpful prompting of Wayan Vota, a little more on what I am looking for and where I can help in the current/future: 1. Top would be anything that overlaps with the "Shifting the Power" (or locally led development agenda) - either within digital transformation space, or exploring use of digital tech to support the shift. 2. I'd say 'core business' is digital development strategy development for INGOs (similar to what I've done previously with FHI 360, Chemonics, Practical Action, UNICEF) and am currently working on with NetHope. i.e. helping orgs understand what the opportunities and roles best suited to them are with digital transformation, as well as some of the underlying organisational changes they need to make to take advantage of these opportunities. 3. Designing / managing delivery of tech-4-dev programs and/or development of interesting and impactful software tools is also something I would cheerfully jump back into (done a ton of this in the past - broad cross-sectoral work, or civic tech or edutech - not that experienced in other niches such as digital health). ------------------------------------------------------------------- I am also interested in catch-ups more generally (online, coffee, wine, whatever works) to chat about ideas for collaborating on the digital/power agenda above or re: ideas for work and/or consulting.   If you know of anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me.   Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read, to consider, to share, to tag others 😊

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💡Discussions at the #ACCAC2024 will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change ,strategizing adaptation measures and demonstrating workable solutions. Theme: 🌟Actionable Knowledge For A Climate Resilient Africa🌟 #AdaptationInFocus Nicholas Omonuk Adaptation Fund

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The #APSF has produced key recommendations from previous sessions, shedding light on challenges & opportunities for Africa's private sector. These insights guide policymakers in supporting sustainable growth and development. Read the full reports here https://ow.ly/aakJ50TV5c7

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In our Latest Blog, Head of Policy and Standards, Penny has written about her experience of working with the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics in developing the Kenya Statistics Code of Practice https://lnkd.in/eKArv78s

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"The empirical rationale for establishing the SPPG is to create a new leadership model and cultivate a pipeline of public leaders capable of reversing Africa's acute governance failure" - @ReformersArise Leverage the #SPPGAdvantage and become part of a critical mass of disruptive, effective leaders with the character, competence, and capacity to transform governance outcomes in Nigeria. For inquiries, visit: https://lnkd.in/dwVRcapr PS: Early applications for the #SPPGClassOf2025 are prioritised for the 40% - 100% scholarships on offer. #SPPG #SPPGAdmissions Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili Alero Ayida-Otobo Abiola Akiyode

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If the state isn’t functional at both the local and central levels, development strategies cannot be properly implemented. Ensuring functionality at all levels of governance is key to driving sustainable development across Africa. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ePcvsy-8 #FunctionaStates

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LISTEN: Today on #BIZSKOOPS... #Africa set to remain the second fastest-growing region | The economic effects of a #coalitiongovernment | UK house prices returned to growth in May | #Coalition uncertainty could weaken the #Rand further | The important aspects of a coalition government LISTEN: https://iono.fm/e/1448750 #podcast #business #businesspodcast

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As CCMG, we believe in inclusive electoral processes, for this reason, we train and deploy local monitors to observe the entire electoral process. The deployment of election observers is crucial to safeguarding democratic principles. CCMG will, on 12 July 2024, deploy 54 stationary election observers and 9 roving observers who have been accredited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to monitor the 9 ward by-elections. #GoodGovernance #CCMG

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South Africa's multiparty Government of National Unity just passed the 100 days in office mark. The impact of the fresh energy, new talent, and more inclusiveness at the heart of government; and more pragmatism which successful coalitions demand is becoming increasingly visible. The country is already in a better space: more hopeful, there appears to be a greater sense of urgency, a slowdown on wild, irrational and ideologically outdated policies, a slight improvement in policing and a wave of new investment announcements. ArcelorMittal reversed a decision to close two steel plants that support 80 000 jobs. Qatar Airways bought a stake in former state-owned South African airline Airlink. Anglo American announced a $625 million iron-ore investment.  The 2007/2008 global financial crisis, systemic corruption, state incompetence, irrational policies, marginalising non-ANC talent, capacity and ideas, and government dislike of business, civil society and professionals, damaged the country's economy. Covid-19, the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict added to the country's woes. Economic growth averaged less than 1% the past decade, lower than population growth, and unemployment rose to 33.5%. The GNU, if it pursues pragmatic policies, involve business, civil society and professionals in co-governing, cut corruption and bring merit-based talent into the public service, has the potential to turn the renewed hope, into real positive impact. Talking to SAfm's "The Talking Point" show. https://lnkd.in/dkvgrKw6

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AMEA's latest case studies are now published here https://lnkd.in/eb8d2nUk. The case studies look at how 2SCALE, Self Help Africa, Self Help Africa, Rikolto and GIZ supported their partners to use innovative BDS approaches to support enterprise development. AMEA, as usual, looks deep under the bonnet to consider how cost-effective and scalable these approaches are.

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The NPC confirms that Nigeria’s long-awaited national census will take place in 2025, aiming to fill critical data gaps for better planning and resource allocation. Read more: https://buff.ly/4g6ujzy #NigeriaCensus #NationalDevelopment #DataForGrowth #ResourceAllocation

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Confronting Service Delivery Challenges: Time for Innovation and Agility From delayed infrastructure projects to misallocated budgets, inefficiencies in government planning and resource allocation have hindered South Africa’s progress for years. The absence of real-time data, weak oversight, and limited monitoring tools contribute to mismanagement, leaving citizens to bear the burden. For many, these challenges are far more than an inconvenience—they disrupt lives, deepen poverty, restrict access to education, and impede economic growth. For the most vulnerable, inadequate service delivery can be life-threatening. As municipalities across South Africa face these ongoing struggles, it’s clear that the status quo is not sustainable. We need to embrace innovation, creativity, pragmatism, and agility to drive meaningful change. At Akhile, we understand the complexities of public sector challenges. With extensive experience and a track record of delivering tailored, innovative, and practical solutions, we are committed to supporting government efforts in building efficient, responsive, and impactful systems. Our focus on data-driven insights, agile project management, and sustainable strategies makes Akhile the partner of choice for transforming service delivery across South Africa. Together, we can ensure that every community receives the essential services they deserve. #SouthAfrica #ServiceDelivery #LocalGovernment #PublicSector #Innovation #Akhile #AkhileDigital #DigitalTransformation #GovernmentTransformation #MST #MunicipalSustainabilityTool

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Delivery Units work when they are homegrown and avoid temptations to 'mimic' best practice models. Foremost, they need to reflect political consensus around a shared purpose for national development. https://lnkd.in/g-sizCSX

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I bid an emotional farewell to my colleagues at the National Treasury last week, wrapping up a decade of public service. As I said to them: I'll always be so proud to have served alongside some of South Africa’s greatest public servants 😊 Why now? well earlier this year I was thrilled to learn that I'd been admitted to the Mid-Career Masters in Public Administration (MC/MPA) programme at the Harvard Kennedy School as an Edward Mason Fellow for the 2024/25 academic year. The start date for the programme, however, fell right in the middle of the closeout of Phase I and early planning for Phase II. Add to that the uncertainty around the GNU at the time and I decided to defer my degree to 2025/26. Part of why I applied to this programme is to think about: what next. I don't know what I'll be doing post-Harvard, but I wanted the flexibility to be open to whatever opportunities may come my way. And that meant that I couldn't offer NT or OV the kind of long-term commitment they sought for Phase II. With the new reform areas identified, the team have been working to refine this into clear reforms, targets and timelines. This will be an iterative process involving all the relevant departments, subject experts and a variety of stakeholders. The intention is to release a new reform document this year ahead of a formal launch of Phase II early in the new year. While there's never really a good time to leave, this is one of the least disruptive times to step back and allow the planning to be finalised by the people who'll be taking the next phase forward. Luckily, having worked with them all for a few years now I know that #OperationVulindlela is in good hands. You can continue to follow #RudiDicks #SaulMusker #AaliaCassim #GeorginaRyan #CarlaOrffer for updates on the reforms as they progress. As for me, I'll be bumping around wearing a number of hats and pursuing a range of exciting opportunities before heading out next year. So don't be surprised when I pop again! Of course, my commitment to the reform agenda remains and in at least one of these roles I'll be able to continue supporting the OV team from behind the scenes. Regards, Vuyo

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The Kenya Devolution Programme (KDP) – Timiza Ugatuzi, funded by the British High Commission, has collaborated with the Senate to develop critical resources aimed at improving transparency and fairness in county-level impeachment proceedings. 📘 Impeachment Digest: A detailed resource consolidating legal principles and practices to guide the impeachment of governors and their deputies. 🛠️ Impeachment Manual: A simplified, step-by-step guide to ensure adherence to constitutional processes and fairness during impeachment proceedings. These tools aim to standardize processes, reduce political manipulation, and promote due process, strengthening governance and accountability at the County level. 🔗 Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/dVZqXcir #Devolution #Governance #Transparency #RuleOfLaw

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Operationalising a Just Transition in Africa: Assessing NDC Priorities & Implementation Gaps in Renewable Energy Access The Africa Research and Impact Network, Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship’s (CAS) Environmental Humanities Programme at the University of Pretoria and SouthSouthNorth (SSN), are pleased to announce a #call for blog #papers for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)-funded hybrid #learning and #exchange forum on "Operationalising a Just Transition in Africa: Assessing NDC Priorities & Implementation Gaps in Renewable Energy Access". As we navigate towards a #sustainable future, understanding the dynamics of renewable #energy access and its #integration into national #policies is crucial. This program aims to assess #NDC priorities and implementation #gaps in #renewable energy #access across Africa. This is your chance to make meaningful #contribution to shaping the energy landscape of #Africa. Share your #insights, #researchfindings, and #recommendations to drive impactful #change in renewable energy #policies and #practices. For more information and submission guidelines, visit: https://t.co/aFzq8B4Hwq #RenewableEnergy #JustTransition #Africa #CallForPapers #Sustainability #EnergyPolicy #ResearchImpact

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#Goodgovernance is critical. Join a discussion about good governance in cities and towns in #Africa. Aug 21, 2024. Register today! @PIMDNOW https://lnkd.in/evpbK369

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