BVI partners with UNDP to establish local office
The government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to establish a local project office to achieve development objectives and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Premier Andrew Fahie said the office was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties back in November 2020. One of the clauses within that MOU stipulates that the office be created.
“The office is now functioning following the recruitment of Ms Patlian Johnson as the National Coordinator of the UNDP Project Office,” Fahie said at a press conference last Friday.
Johnson’s employment was effective February 1 this year. She will work closely with the government, national institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private sector and other partners to lead strategic programme planning and ensure programme coordination and implementation in the BVI
She will also maintain collaborative working relationships among key project partners and project donors through effective communication, consultation, and reporting; and promote communication flow within the office.
Premier Fahie also said the territory’s partnership with the UNDP has been tremendously helpful to progressing the sustainable development of the society.
“The government looks forward to working closely with Ms Johnson and the UNDP as they provide critical support for the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and as we move towards the achievement of the SDGs by 2030,” the Premier added.
Johnson is a public sector specialist with 14 years of experience in development and recovery planning, public financial management and policy development. She was instrumental in developing the Recovery to Development Plan for the British Virgin Islands following the disasters of 2017.
She also coordinated UNDPs support during 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic including administering a grant programme for micro-businesses in the food services industry.
As the former Deputy Financial Secretary for Economic and Fiscal Affairs in the BVI, Johnson developed and led the government’s Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Programme.
The institutionalisation of fiscal planning and reporting and results-based budgeting and strengthening of financial systems were some of her major achievements.
She holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus.
“The office is now functioning following the recruitment of Ms Patlian Johnson as the National Coordinator of the UNDP Project Office,” Fahie said at a press conference last Friday.
Johnson’s employment was effective February 1 this year. She will work closely with the government, national institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private sector and other partners to lead strategic programme planning and ensure programme coordination and implementation in the BVI
She will also maintain collaborative working relationships among key project partners and project donors through effective communication, consultation, and reporting; and promote communication flow within the office.
Premier Fahie also said the territory’s partnership with the UNDP has been tremendously helpful to progressing the sustainable development of the society.
“The government looks forward to working closely with Ms Johnson and the UNDP as they provide critical support for the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and as we move towards the achievement of the SDGs by 2030,” the Premier added.
Johnson is a public sector specialist with 14 years of experience in development and recovery planning, public financial management and policy development. She was instrumental in developing the Recovery to Development Plan for the British Virgin Islands following the disasters of 2017.
She also coordinated UNDPs support during 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic including administering a grant programme for micro-businesses in the food services industry.
As the former Deputy Financial Secretary for Economic and Fiscal Affairs in the BVI, Johnson developed and led the government’s Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Programme.
The institutionalisation of fiscal planning and reporting and results-based budgeting and strengthening of financial systems were some of her major achievements.
She holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus.
