Climate change impacts - Integrated project management - Software / Databases / GIS applications - Policy & Strategy - Procurement assistance
Asset management systems - Planning & budgeting systems - Road safety - Organizational and project performance reviews - Training programs

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible."    Unknown visionary

introduction

background

expertise

projects

Toward Sustainable Development

Disclaimer
30 Years + of experience

After graduating from Imperial College in England, I got actively involved in the design of several large civil engineering works such as wastewater treatment plants, dams, bridges and buildings in Canada. In 1994, I decided to move to Southeast Asia to acquire new skills on international development projects. In Bangkok, I directed the regional operations of a Canadian consulting engineering firm and realized several projects for government agencies and for the private sector. Since 2001, I offer independent contract-based engineering and management consulting services with particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity building of organizations. My operations make use of a substantial client network covering most of the region and my strong technical background enables me to offer expertise on numerous technical matters, including information technology. My clients also appreciate my capacity to lead and coordinate teams of technical experts through the singularities of donor agencies financing, local implementation capabilities and national laws and regulations as well as my results-oriented work methods.

Higher Education

1984           Master of Science (Concrete Structures)
                   Diploma of Imperial College
                   Imperial College, University of London, England, www.ic.ac.uk/
1982           Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
                   Laval University, Quebec City, Canada, www.ulaval.ca/
 
Professional affiliations / Social involvement
Languages

English (spoken, read and written fluently)
French (spoken, read and written fluently)
Spanish (spoken, read and written)
Thai (spoken & read)
Publications, Training, Seminars, Awards, Recognitions and Public Events
  • Independent review assessed that the PRIF (See Pacific islands projects) “has established a clear record of performance” and that its work “qualifies as best practice in respect to aid effectiveness in low-income countries”, 2019
    Online training: Professionalism and Ethics for engineers, OIQ, 2013
  • Online self training: PPIAF toolkits, worldbank.org, 2011-12
  • Presented “Design and Implementation of Road safety projects – Challenges and opportunities” at the International Conference on Road safety in Vietnam, Vietnam 2012 (also co-chaired road infrastructure conference module)
  • Presented “Recommendations for Road Safety Strategy Development” at the International Conference on Road safety Strategy, Vietnam 2011
  • Awarded the Royal Order of Sahametrei by the Government of Cambodia for its contribution to the development of the country through the project Reorganization of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, 2007. More about Cambodia honorific medals
  • Lessons from the Study on the Reorganisation of the Ministry of Public Works & Transport of Cambodia. Presented at the PIARC Rural Transport Seminar (ILO sponsored), Siem Reap, Cambodia, May 2002  www.piarc.org/info/cal-cg-b.htm
  • Expert commentator on “A Canadian in Bangkok – Focus on transport” Television interviews, Radio Canada, Dec. 2000 www.radiocanada.ca
  • Dessau-Soprin in Southeast Asia Published in “Voyageur”, Thai Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Oct.-Nov. 1999 www.thai-canadian-chamber.org/
  • Awarded letter of recognition by the Canadian Trade Minister for best technological export project, Bridge Evaluation Project - Malaysia, 1996

Network of contacts

Years of involvement with infrastructure Ministries all over the Asia Pacific region and with several international consulting firms gave me the opportunity to gather a significant network of contacts. Please do not hesitate to reach out for some useful advice.

Key institutional development contacts and clients
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Australia (DFAT)
  • Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC)
  • European Union
  • European Investment Bank
  • New Zealand (MFAT)
  • Japan (JICA)
  • USA (State department)
  • World Bank
All the information on this website is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. 
micheldorval.com does not make any warranties about the completeness and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website, is strictly at your own risk. I will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of this website. From this website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While I strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply an endorsement for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone ‘bad'.
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Terminology
The use of the term partner is intended as “a person or group that takes part with another or others in doing something” as per Oxford Languages’ definition (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/) and should not be construed as a pretention of any form of legal, commercial or profit-seeking ongoing partnership.
Infrastructure is used as “the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise” as per Oxford Languages’ definition (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/) and should not be construed as excluding buildings.

Intent
This website strongly condemns child labor, fraud, corrupt practices, slavery, the use of lifelong contracts or agreements, and is gender blind. None of the text of this website should be construed as creating a risk of harm, loss, damage, physical or mental injury, emotional distress, death, disability, disfigurement, or physical or mental illness to anyone, or to any animal nor intentionally includes content deemed to be hateful, violent, harmful, abusive, harassing, threatening, profane, or racially or ethnically offensive. 

Pictures
All pictures are sourced from my own photo collections or from the following public domains: unsplash.com, alphacoders.com.

Consent
By using this website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.

Additional information
If you require more information or have any questions about this disclaimer, please feel free to contact me by email at micheldorval@yahoo.com.

Working abroad

 

Working in developing countries is one of the most valuable experience one can gain in a lifetime. It is more than just a type of work, it is a commitment, a belief that one can change the world, and a lifestyle.

If you are itching in your cubicle, you have plenty of health and limited family constraints, this is perhaps for you. It comes with plenty of challenges and rewards.

It is an opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages and to enhance your communications and your problem solving skills.

You will discover that many things you take for granted are not available for a lot of people and that there are many ways to reach a destination, not only the one touted by your government.

You will be asked to disseminate the best practice in your field and you be able to exchange with the best experts in the world.

The gratification of providing knowledge to other people and improving their lives is certainly one of the greatest satisfaction of this work.

By selecting a country or region on the left, you can read about the main projects I have implemented through the years and get some insights on the working environment. Enjoy the tour and feel free to contact me at   micheldorval@yahoo.com 

Michel

China

Thailand

Laos 

Cambodia 

Vietnam

Malaysia 

Philippines 

Pacific Islands 

Indonesia

Cambodia

Improving the climate resilience of roads in Cambodia

Development of new procedures, national standards, management tools and methods to improve the climate resilience of road infrastructures in the country. Planning and cost effective rehabilitation of climate resilient infrastructures (150 km). Assistance to development of new road construction standards (pavements, compaction, drainage, etc…) for improving flood resilience, emergency flood warning systems, national flood damage risk maps and budgeting and prioritization system for flood proofing roads. Development of GIS based IT interface to prioritize road rehabilitation and maintenance using the Ministry road and infrastructure databases, including national and provincial network links (15,000 km), road condition and flood risks data. Integration of flood risk database with road condition database (HDM-4 based Road asset management system). Extensive training activities. Responsible for all procurement activities. More to come soon.

"Climate change is the newcomer in the comprehensive arsenal of project safeguard measures of the donors. Unfortunately, inconsistencies abound in the field and self proclaimed specialists are all over the place, having being recruited hastily by all organizations willing to show their commitment to the cause." 

Reorganization and development of management systems at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Development of several information systems and provision of training to strengthen infrastructure project planning, IT services, international affairs, social and environmental assessment, asset management, documentation systems, road maintenance, procurement, financing and HR management. Support to a reorganization process including update of legal framework, review of policies, introduction of performance based incentives, organizational arrangements and work procedures. More
"I am very proud to have been awarded an honorific medal by the government's Council of Ministers for my contribution to this extensive capacity building project."

Cambodia


Setup of a Management information system for Provincial offices of the Ministry of Education
In response to the decentralization of services at the provincial level of the Ministry of Education, a small computerized information management system is setup to help local authorities to identify needs, to prioritize investments and to manage school construction works and scholarship programmes. Linked to GIS software. Setup of instructions manuals. Training of trainers. Covers three provinces.

Assessment of Private Sector Capacity & Business environment

As part of an important lending risk evaluation process conducted by World Bank every five years, this project included assessment of the private sector problems, the adequacy of legal framework for trade and commerce, the WTO accession impacts, the review of existing procurement regulations and interviews of industry leaders, government staff and officials involved in procurement. 

China (Xinjiang)

Development of a Public Private Partnership strategy

A Public Private Partnership strategy was developed to ensure the sustainability of a new highway project on the rim of the Taklamakan desert. Financed by the Asian Development Bank.
 The northwest of China is experiencing rapid growth and is an essential component of the future development of the country given its vast natural resources. However the rapid development of the infrastructures of the Xinjiang region requires innovative solutions using PPPs particularly in view of the large scale of projects envisioned and the need to involve local enterprises and to respond to the specific needs of the ethnic groups present in this part of China.

"It goes without saying that introducing new market oriented management methods like PPPs in a communist country takes some diplomatic skills."

Development of a results-based monitoring system

A results-based project performance management system (PPMS) was devised to monitor progress of the highway project as well as to track and report development impacts on local population. It identifies the indicators and targets to achieve all along the duration of construction and measures socio-economic changes during the first few years of operation.
The department of transport received executive-level training to manage and integrate the new results-based monitoring and evaluation system into the daily workings of the organization. 

"The biggest challenge was not the identification of indicators per se, who abound in any Chinese public administration, but rather in the careful selection of the credible and reliable ones."

Malaysia

Bridge Evaluation Pilot Project

 Setup of a computerized bridge evaluation and asset management system to enable the Malaysian Department of Public Works to assess the state of its bridges. Comprehensive inspection was conducted on a sample population of 200 bridges and field testing (instrumentation gauges and load bearing) applied on selected concrete and steel bridges. An asset management system and inspection procedures were developed for application over all the country bridges. Specific software was developed to make possible the management and the structural capacity evaluation (under AASHTO HS20-44) of a large number of bridges and to speed up the load capacity evaluation process. Conducted Seminars and training sessions and prepared instructions manuals for the software developed. Winner of an award for best technological export from the Canadian Government.  More
"The introduction of new PC-based technology in the 1980s for country wide implementation, at a time when most people got introduced to the internet, was certainly one of the most exciting mandate I have ever realized."

Philippines

Social Expenditure Management Project

General assistance for the improvement of management systems at the Department of Education and at the Department of Health. Setup of an integrated procurement system at the Department of Education and links with the National electronic procurement system. Standardization of the use of MIS and GIS though the departments. Standardization of school building construction methods and help on devolving supervision to local authorities. Support to the Department of Health to re-integrate drugs procurement into its basic managerial functions and review of contracts. Setup of procurement manuals in both agencies.

"Procurement is by far the weakest management activity of development projects. Poor procurement implementation leads directly to corrupt practices and believe it or not, even underpins state sponsored profiteering schemes."
Local Roads Study in collaboration with NEDA

This study brings suggestions about efficient management mechanisms and policies that the Government should adopt and implement to maintain its rural roads, a backbone of the large agricultural sector of the country. All major government agencies related to rural development were involved in this project.
More

"I vividly recall a government official warning us at the project start that they may not ready for this ambitious multi-agency project. But he said: 'anyway let's go ahead'...as the higher ups have commanded..."

Pacific Islands


Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility

For many of us, Pacific islands are permanent idyllic and unspoiled beaches, far away from the city stress, overcrowding and pollution. Although it is still true for some islands, the reality is far more complex as climate change and worldwide pollution effects are increasingly impacting that part of the world.

More specifically and in addition to a gradual rise in the sea level, significant increases are being observed in typhoon occurrence and intensity, causing huge damages to infrastructure every year. More than 15 small countries are being challenged and must take measures to strengthen their resilience to climate impacts and a few of them may nevertheless disappear altogether underwater.

 Due to the limited land available, Kiribati’s capital is one of the most polluted city in the world and among its most dense. Its underground water table is rapidly getting contaminated by garbage landfills and untreated sewers. Plastic bottles from China and Southeast Asia are accumulating at an alarming rate in most Pacific beaches, compromissing tourism - one of the main revenu sources of the islands.










Delivering development aid in this part of the world is challenging given its remoteness but unfortunately inefficiency is also increasing, as “competition” between donors is on the rise. The region is also seen as geostrategic and of particularly high interest to the USA, Australia and  China. 

 The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) is a donor coordination body dedicated to the development of Pacific island countries. Its members include the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, Australia (DFAT), New Zealand (MFAT), the European Union, the European Investment Bank, Japan (JICA) and the United States of America (State department). 








"I am proud to have led the PRIF coordination office as technical manager from 2016 to 2019, especially that an independent review concluded at the end of my mandate that PRIF “has established a clear record of performance” and that its work “qualifies as best practice in respect to aid effectiveness in low-income countries”.
Vietnam
 
Road Safety Project, Ministry of Transport (cont'd)

Preparation and support to delivery of training activities for leadership (National Traffic Safety Committee), management (Provincial Traffic Safety Committees) and implementation levels (Ministries and Provincial authorities):
  • Study tour in Europe.
  • Basic road safety course (RS101) to National and Provincial traffic safety committees.
  • Technical workshops and presentations, including guidelines documents: Integration of iRAP in existing practices, Blackspot identification methods and intervention programs, Enforcement best practice and equipment, Proposed organizational improvements for road safety – including funding mechanisms, Legislative barriers to road safety and road safety law, Best use of camera enforcement systems and legal constraints, New road safety education methods and safe access to schools, Effective awareness campaigning methods and strategy, Emergency medical systems, Driver training, testing and licensing and Vehicle testing.
Coordination of road safety audit training: Particular focus on planning, pre-construction and construction stages.
Coordination of first aid training for medical staff and police.
Coordination of 15 top level international experts from 8 countries and 15 National experts.
Quality and editorial review of all project documents, guidelines and reports.
Third rural transport project, Ministry of Transport

Project design (logical framework, M&E, budgeting, etc…) with focus on rationalization of donor and national investments in the rural road sector, a key area for alleviating poverty. Coordination and harmonization of sustainable disbursement schemes, procurement methods, planning procedures and rehabilitation standards within a government endorsed Sector Wide Approach (SWAP). More
Vietnam
 
Road Safety Project, Ministry of Transport

This project is a comprehensive and integrated program of assistance activities covering multiple sectors. It included civil works, equipment and provision of expert services for training and project implementation and covers all areas of road safety such as strategy development, road works, school-based education, awareness campaigns, enforcement, driver testing, training and licensing, vehicle safety, emergency medical services and organizational reforms. The project owners included the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education the Ministry of Health as well as Provincial level authorities. Financed by the World Bank.
Services included project management support, technical support and training for all project owners and local trainers (TOT), s upport to design, procurement and implementation of about USD 10M of equipment (medical, enforcement, helmets, educational material, etc...), USD 5M of services and about USD 5M of civil works. Highligths are:
  • A blackspot treatment program (40 blackspots on 3 high-risk corridors)
  • An intelligent camera enforcement system
  • A National road safety accident database and computerized system
  • A blueprint for a future Vehicle tracking system
  • A comprehensive road safety implementation program to complement the National road safety strategy
  • A new driver licensing system
  • A computerized and web based management system for National and Provincial traffic safety committees
  • A complete Emergency medical services system (communication system, medical facilities and vehicles and volunteer network participation) for Central Vietnam
  • A USD 60M National Vehicle Testing Center (includes 5 large laboratories, specialized car and motor testing equipment as well as test tracks)
  • A large multi-sectoral downstream road safety project planned for 2015 (USD 300M), including economic analysis of high risk road corridors using accident data.