DT Global’s APAC Team have recently been selected to deliver the Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit (CRCSU) in the Asia Pacific region.

The CRCSU is DFAT’s flagship investment to meet its climate policy and finance commitments. CRCSU will incentivise the flow of funds towards inclusive climate change programming—targeting community resilience in the water, food, and energy sectors—by co-funding bilateral and regional programs and attracting new sources of climate finance, while also raising the quality of climate integration across sectoral programs.

The CRCSU is an AUD70M, five-year program which will work with DFAT bilateral and regional programs, including at Posts, to co-fund and design new climate change programming, particularly in the water, food, and energy sectors. It will also integrate climate and disaster resilience across the Development Program, Posts across the Asia-Pacific region, and DFAT Canberra.

“We are very excited to be adding CRCSU to our APAC portfolio,” said APAC Managing Director Jo Choe. “It is an extremely significant and high-profile program for APAC and DT Global more broadly; it acknowledges our deep commitment to inclusive climate change programming across the region.”

“This announcement comes off the back of our recent success with the New Zealand MFAT-funded Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme (CFF-CSP) which is working with 15 Pacific countries to scale up their delivery of climate change priorities.”

“The solidifies our strong commitment and long-standing investment in embedding climate change policies and sustainable development practices across the region while continuing to strive for a more sustainable future. Congratulations to all involved.

Core to our work is building strong, sustainable partnerships with small businesses and local organizations that recognize the important contributions of these entities and accommodate the challenges and limited resources they often face. Ideally, this work starts before a project even begins — with respective, interaction during proposal development. DT Global US is excited to unveil its new Sub-partner Engagement Guidelines, which detail best practices for sub-partner engagement during the proposal development process.

These guidelines set out four practices to encourage collaborative, transparent, and equitable relationships with sub-partners from initial engagement to post-submission interactions. First, is setting clear and realistic expectations early to create a strong foundation for collaboration. Second, is actively collaborating with partners during proposal development and recognizing their strength and expertise. Third, is managing proposals transparently for sub-contractors, and with clarity and fairness. Fourth, is maintaining engagement with sub-partners after proposal submission, including proactive communication to lay the groundwork for future collaboration.

DT Global’s goal is to be a partner of choice for clients, country governments, and sub-partners through every stage of our project lifecycle, and we want to further this goal by upholding clear, collaborative, and respectful interactions with our partners.

Read more about this new Sub-partner Engagement Guidelines here.

DT Global is excited to announce the appointment of Neil Durnan as Senior Director of Operations for DT Global US. In this role, Neil will oversee US office operations, including contract management, facilities, administrative systems, IT, and the development and refinement of DT Global’s program management systems and processes from start-up to close-out.

By prioritizing project-office needs, fostering global coordination, and promoting a shared sense of urgency, Neil’s work is key in enhancing DT Global’s operational efficiency and elevating our global impact.

“Our programs prioritize flexibility and efficiency while ensuring excellence in delivery and I aim to apply this approach to our headquarters operations. Additionally, I am excited to continue the work of building One DT Global in coordination with my colleagues in APAC, Europe, the UK, and East Africa. Together we are working to leverage our shared strengths and chart a new course in international development,” Neil said. Before his appointment, Neil was part of the Program Effectiveness team, supporting projects in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. He also instituted DT Global US’s quarterly performance review process, improving project performance across the company portfolio.

Neil draws upon over 17 years of experience implementing and managing international development programs in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on stabilization, transition, and democracy and governance programming.

Neil has extensive remote management experience, including implementing programs from Turkey, Jordan, and Germany, in addition to program management and business development roles within the home office. He has implemented programs for several agencies such as USAID, including the Office of Transition Initiatives and Bureau for Global Health, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, US State Department, and National Endowment for Democracy.

He has been selected for this role because of his enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of our programs while ensuring excellence in delivery. He is committed to creating a system that supports efficiency at the office and field levels, identifying and addressing any bottlenecks.

“Global coordination is a differentiator for DT Global. I have been focusing on that since starting this new role and will continue to do so,” said Neil.

Congratulations to DT Global’s Tonette Mangrobang who was recently appointed as the new Contractor Representative/Program Director, Philippines. Here we take five with Tonette to talk about her career in the development sector and her vision for her new role at DT Global.

Can you tell us a little bit about your early career history and how you got into international development?

I am a lawyer and a development professional with 20+ years of experience working in the Philippine Government, with extensive experience in immigration law, and Intelligence Network Development with domestic and international intelligence and law enforcement agencies. I likewise served as the Head of the Philippine Immigration Academy where I was tasked to design, develop and deliver capacity development programs for the institution.

I studied in Germany as a scholar of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany where I studied Law Enforcement Administration.

During my stint in government, I represented the Bureau of Immigration in the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and helped craft institutional policies intended to curb trafficking in persons in Philippine borders. As a result, I received recognition from IACAT for anti-human trafficking advocacy in 2011 as an anti-trafficking hero.

Before joining ASEAN Australia Counter Trafficking, I worked with the Philippine justice sector as a Program Coordinator for the International Development Law Organization. Similarly, my work dealt extensively with the implementation of programs to enhance the institutional capacities of partner government justice institutions.

What was your most recent role with ASEAN ACT?

The Country Manager – Philippines is a senior leadership position, and the main liaison point between the program and senior Philippine stakeholders with a role in countering trafficking. This role provides high-level representation at the country level in meetings, consultations and events, providing strategic advice to wide-ranging regional and national partners, including government and non-government organisations.

The Country Manager – Philippines works collaboratively with the Leadership Team and Operations Team to provide a combination of programmatic, managerial, technical and operational expertise to enable the planning and implementation of national-level ASEAN-ACT work plan activities.

The role has an overall responsibility for the management of country activities, leading and managing the country team with adept planning, budgeting, monitoring, GEDSI and reporting, as well as identifying and providing internal capacity development opportunities for the country team to enhance their knowledge and skills.

What is your new role and what will you be doing?

As Contractor Representative/Program Director, I will be responsible for overseeing and managing DT Global programs from Manila, which may include regional programs or bilateral programs based in the Philippines. This includes overseeing corporate program teams, engagement with client/s and related partnerships. The role involves ensuring the effective implementation of development programs, achieving strategic objectives, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders. The Contractor Representative will be directly responsible for the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN-ACT) program, as well as delegated oversight of corporate functions in Manila, as assigned by the Asia Regional Manager from time to time.

What excites you about working at DT Global, ASEAN ACT and the International Development Sector?

The learning opportunities are what excite me about working at DT Global and ASEAN ACT. I have been implementing international development programs for several years and the new CR role will allow me to look at programs using a different lens. I am very eager to learn how I can contribute to the Program and DT Global and make the CR role my own.

Having been part of the ASEAN ACT Team for more than three years now and implementing the Philippine country program, I feel that this experience will provide a great compliment to my new role as CR for ASEAN ACT. I know the Program inside and out which will help me strategically oversee and manage the Program.

After leaving the public service for several years now, my desire to strengthen government institutions has not waivered. Being in the international development sector has allowed me to continue with that burning desire, this time working ‘with’ and not ‘in’ government.

What do you hope to achieve in your role both professionally/personally?

I hope to really make this CR role my own. To bring my knowledge and experience to the table and strategically navigate the challenges and the risks with a clear understanding of the work environment. I hope to build and strengthen working relationships, knowing how valuable this is in the work that we do.

Personally, getting out of my comfort zone seems to be daunting but I believe that to build one’s character I must do things that scare me. I pray that this journey will do just that and so much more.

Anything else you would like to add?

I wish to express my sincerest thanks to DT Global for giving me this opportunity. After completing the DT Global Emerging Leaders in Development Program, a bigger world was revealed to me. A world of opportunities that recognise my capabilities with a sincere desire to build my capacity as an international development worker.

We’re excited to have Mr. John Furlow join us as Senior Technical Advisor for DT Global’s Environment and Infrastructure (E&I) practice. In this role, Mr. Furlow will provide strategic advice and thought leadership to current and future Climate Change programs and proposals managed by the E&I Practice. He will also lead the establishment of best practices and standards for climate adaptation and resilience programming and implementation across E&I’s sub-practice areas.

“Mr. Furlow’s extensive expertise in climate adaptation and his proven ability to navigate the complexities of development challenges make him an invaluable addition to our team. His insights will play a crucial role in advancing the climate resilience objectives of our E&I programs,” shares Dr. Rodolfo Camacho, DT Global’s Vice President for E&I.

With over 15 years of experience in leading climate adaptation and resilience initiatives, Mr. Furlow has worked with US government, civil society, and academic institutions. He brings a wealth of expertise in collaborating with national and international governments on climate negotiations, national adaptation planning (NAPs), and institutional strengthening. His deep knowledge and a proven success in strategic planning, business development, program design, and oversight of large, complex project implementation make him a valuable asset in this field.

Mr. Furlow is thrilled to join DT Global to tackle urgent challenges related to climate vulnerability and resilience. He is eager to help develop climate adaptation solutions that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support DT Global’s mission to positively impact 500 million lives by 2045.

Please join us in welcoming John Furlow to the DT Global team!

DT Global sponsored a concert by the National Academic Operetta Theatre Company of Kyiv in Madrid, organised by the City Council and the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain. The recital, a cultural exchange between the two countries, also s

erved as a show of support from DT Global to Ukraine, which is striving to maintain normalcy despite the ongoing war.

The event was attended by ambassadors from several countries, including Ukraine’s Serhii Pohoreltsev, Lituania’s Lyra Puisyte-Bostroem, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Andree Zaimovic, and Uzbekistan’s Farrux Tursunov, along with diplomatic representatives from Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Georgia. The Ukrainian Embassy expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the role of music and culture in strengthening societies and fostering international relationships.

The National Academic Operetta Theatre Company, one of Ukraine’s leading cultural institutions, continues to operate from its headquarters in Kyiv while organising charity festivals in support of the military. Its director, Bogdan Strutynski, shared with DT Global that, “during the war, Ukrainian music has gained special significance, serving not only to boost morale but as a powerful symbol of resistance, unity, and national identity. It has also become a means of communicating with the world – through music, Ukrainian artists draw attention to the tragedy of war, including the destruction of cities, cultural heritage, and civilian lives.

This event not only promotes the Ukrainian culture but strengthens the cultural dialogue between our peoples. Such exchanges contribute to the development of Ukrainian-Spanish relations.”

He continued by exclaiming, “Ukraine is a nation of strong and talented people! While the war has halted many activities and limited the theater’s possibilities, we have managed to assemble a united and resilient troupe. Our artists perform charity concerts in hospitals and military units while raising funds to support the army. This is also our mission.

The National Operetta of Ukraine continues its international cultural activities, which include garnering international support, raising global awareness of the events in Ukraine, and promoting Ukrainian culture even in wartime conditions.”