What are APAs?
Adviser performance assessments (APAs) assess how well individual Advisers are delivering the services required in development agreements. This helps improve performance of advisory inputs at the activity level. APAs must be completed for all specified Adviser personnel, regardless of agreement value.
What are APAs used for?
The APA process assists in consistently reinforcing expectations and assessing performance to identify opportunities for enhancing individual Adviser performance. It acknowledges where Adviser performance is satisfactory (or above) and identifies where performance is unsatisfactory (or below) to ensure value for money is being achieved.
How do I complete an APA?
APAs are to be completed for each adviser on completion of the contract or annually (such as on the anniversary of the start date) for engagements over one year in duration. . Performance discussions should be held at least biannually - the APA can form part of this process. APAs and any written statements from advisers in response to APAs are valid for five years.
Managing Contractors are responsible for APAs for advisers who they engage. DFAT investment managers are responsible for APAs for advisers hired directly by DFAT.
All APAs (even electronic ones) must be endorsed, (with either a valid electronic or physical signature), and dated before filing.
All APAs with a rating of 3 or below, along with written adviser responses, must also be sent to supplier.engagement@dfat.gov.au.
More details of how to complete the APAs can be found in the Adviser Performance Assessment (APA) Note.
Exception Register
From 1 June 2021, APAs are no longer required to be submitted to the Development Procurement, Agreements and Systems Branch for central filing unless the APA shows an adviser is underperforming (a rating of 3 or below). Only APAs with rating of 3 or below will be filed on a centrally maintained register.
APA Filing Pathway
| APA outcome | Signature process | Lodged |
|---|---|---|
| Managing contractor – Performing well – 4 or above | Signed by MC Signed by Adviser Signed by DFAT Program Manager |
Filed with the program/project. Managing Contractor to retain. |
| Managing contractor – Requires improvement – 3 or below | Signed by MC Signed by Adviser Signed by DFAT Program Manager |
Forwarded to Development Procurement, Agreements and Systems Branch for lodging on performance register. supplier.engagement@dfat.gov.au |
| DFAT Direct engagement Performing well – 4 or above | Signed by Adviser Signed by DFAT Program Manager |
Filed with the program/project. DFAT program area to retain. |
| DFAT Direct engagement – Requires improvement – 3 or below |
Signed by Adviser Signed by DFAT Program Manager |
Forwarded to Development Procurement, Agreements and Systems Branch for lodging on performance register. supplier.engagement@dfat.gov.au |