In late 2025, Key Populations Advocacy Consortium PNG completed a follow-up Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA), twelve months after its baseline review identified significant gaps in systems, governance, and organisational readiness. The reassessment demonstrated substantial and measurable progress across KPAC’s organisational foundations during a year of significant pressure on Papua New Guinea’s HIV response.
The OCA re-assessment was undertaken jointly with Health Equity Matters as a key monitoring point within Health Equity Matters’ organisational strengthening support to KPAC under the Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership. The program is delivered in partnership with UNAIDS and funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The review assessed KPAC’s progress across seven core capacity areas, including governance and legal structure, financial management, administration and procurement systems, human resources, program management, project performance management, and organisational management and sustainability. Results showed a significant overall increase in organisational capacity compared to the 2024 baseline, reflecting deliberate investment in systems development, leadership, and accountability.
Strong gains were recorded in governance and legal compliance, including the endorsement of an updated, fully compliant Constitution, the establishment of a functioning Board with regular meetings, and the introduction of structured governance processes and documentation. The review also confirmed improvements in financial systems, safeguarding and compliance frameworks, workforce management, and internal operational systems.
Importantly, the progress captured through the OCA was achieved in a challenging operating environment marked by funding disruptions, staffing instability, rising HIV infections, and the declaration of a national HIV emergency. Despite these pressures, KPAC demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a sustained commitment to strengthening its institutional foundations.
The OCA re-assessment provides an evidence-based benchmark for KPAC’s next phase of development and will guide priorities for the year ahead. It also reinforces the value of structured, long-term organisational strengthening partnerships in supporting community-led organisations to grow in credibility, accountability, and impact.
As KPAC continues to consolidate its systems and leadership, strong organisational capacity remains central to ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and community-led responses to HIV in Papua New Guinea.
