EUROPEAID/119860/C/SV/multi
LOT N° 9: Education, employment and social
REQUEST N° 2007/137770
Terms of Reference for the mission “ Training to the Government of Swaziland in the application of EC procedures”
1. Background
Within the framework of the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement, the European Commission signed with the Government of Swaziland on 23 September 2002 a framework programme outlining its cooperation strategy (Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and National Indicative Programme (NIP)) over the next six years. In the 9 th EDF human resources development is identified as focal sector. The overall indicative allocation for the 9 th EDF amounts to € 35 million from which € 31 million under the envelope A and € 6 million under envelope B.
Under the 9th EDF the following programmes are under implementation:
-CapacityBuilding for Development Planning and Programme Management (2.7 MEuros)
-Support to Education and Training(20 MEuros)
- HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Programme (HAPAC) (2 MEuros)
-Microprojects Programme(4.6 MEuros)
-Technical Cooperation Facility (2 MEuros)
-Gender (1.4 M Euros)
-Trade (1.8 M Euros)
Under the 8thEDF there are still two programmes that need to closed
-Private Sector Support Programme(5.9 MEuros)
-Fiscal Restructuring Project (5.6 MEuros)
Under the 7th and 8thEDFthe programme Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP) (11.450 MEuros) is still open and will end in 2011.
The programmes outlined above are managed by management units in the beneficiary sectorial Ministries, the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) based in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development together with the EC Delegation in Swaziland. The Delegation in Swazilandis a regional Delegation attached to the Delegation in Lesotho. The operational section is based in Mbabane (Swaziland) and the finance and contact section is based in Maseru (Lesotho). The Delegation was only devolved in February 2005.
The devolution and the introduction of the new 9th EDF procedures have produced some changes in the management of the EDF programmes in Swaziland. The beneficiary sectorial Ministries, the NAO and the EC Delegation are adapted to the new procedures and rules. Quality of dossiers has improved considerably although there is still room for improvement.
Swaziland is actually benefiting from the Sugar Accompanying Measures. This additional EC support to Swaziland is funded by the Budget. The objective is to help Swaziland to implement its national Adaptation Strategy to be able to cope and adapt to the reform of the EU sugar market. Swaziland received in 2006 4.7 M Euros to establish a Restructuring and Diversification Management unit. Important additional funding will be provided annually until 2013.
The EC has provided formal training on the EC procedures for the Swazi officials and project staff. Technical assistance, specific training and training on the job is still required in order to assimilate completely the new procedures.
2. Description of the assignment
Global Objective
The global objective of the assignment is to improve the delivery of the EU assistance to Swaziland
Specific Objective
The specific objectives of the assignment is to assist the government of Swaziland to improve the implementation of the EC programmes
Requested services including suggested methodology
An expert with strong theoretical and practical knowledge of the EC rules and on programme management is required. He/she will support the staff involved in the implementation of the EC programmes though technical assistance, on the job training and specific training according to the needs.
He/ she will agree with the NAO and the EC Delegation Swaziland which are the tasks, areas and programmes in which his/her input is necessary and a priority. He/she will also identify which are the deficiencies regarding the application of EC procedures in the different ongoing programmes and will propose realistic and pragmatic corrective measures and solutions.
The consultant should work closely with the staff in the ministries involved in the EC cooperation, the NAO’s Office and the EC Delegation in Swaziland. He/she will report directly to the NAO and the EC Delegation and will keep them informed of progress through out the assignment.
Required Outputs
Theexpected result is timely and correct implementation of the EC programmes. At the end of the mission the staff involved in programme management should have a deep knowledge of the EC procedures and rules. The staff should be able to produce correctly all the required documents related to programme implementation: programme estimates, tender dossiers, terms of reference, call for proposals, evaluation reports, contracts, replenishment requests, invoices, financial and technical reports, closures, etc
3. Expert profile
Number of requested experts per category and number of man-days per expert
One category II expert required for this assignment; the expert is expected to spend in Swaziland 270 calendar days, of which 168 are working days.
The expert is supposed to carry out six missions of duration approximately each of 45 calendar days. The duration of each mission could vary according to the needs and will be decided in consultation with the NAO and the EC Delegation. The budget foresees funding for five international plane tickets, in case the consultant will prefer to provide his/her services in more than five missions with shorter duration he/she will have to cover the cost related to travel.
Profile required
-University degree
-At least 10 years of professional experience in EC programme management and implementation.
-Very strong theoretical and practical knowledge of EC procedures
-Experience in the preparation and management of documents like programme estimates, call for proposals, tender dossiers, replenishments requests, reports, invoices, project closure, etc
-Capacity to identify training need, to organise specific training and to carry out training on the job.
-Background work with project cycle
-Ability to develop job descriptions, terms of references and conceptualise project planning needs
-Excellent communication and writing skills in English
-Proficient knowledge of standard computer software
Working language
The working language is English.
4. Location and duration
Starting period
The assignment will commence at the 15 September 2007
Foreseen finishing period or duration
The assignment will be finished by the 14 September 2008
Planning
At the beginning of each mission the NAO and the EC Delegation will agree with the consultants those areas, tasks and the programmes in which his/her input is necessary. A work plan and a calendar for the duration of the individual missions will be agreed.
Location(s) of assignment
The consultants will be based in Mbabane under the guidance of the National Authorizing Officer’s office in collaboration with the EC Delegation. However, short trips may be required to key locations as deemed necessary.
5. Reporting
Content
The consultant shall prepare and submit a report after each missions carried to the country explaining the tasks carried out and the results obtained.
The consultant will prepare a final report at the end of the assignment.
Language
The reportsmust be written in English
Submission / Comments timing
The report for each mission will be submitted two weeks after the end of the mission; NAO and the EC Delegation will make comments in 2 weeks time, allowing 1 more week to present the final mission report.
The draft final report will be presented one week before the expiry assignment period; NAO and EC will make comments in 2 weeks time, allowing 2 more weeks to the Contractor to present the final report. The final report will be approved before the expiry of the contract.
Number of report(s) copies
Each of the reports will be in five printed copies and one electronic copy; the following words have to appear on the cover or front page of the final report: “Specific contract number … of the Framework Contract beneficiaries”.
6. Administrative information
Other authorized items to foresee under ‘Reimbursable’: International travel costs, local travels (in-country), documents and assistant/translation.
Tax and VAT arrangements : none
Interim payment(s) modalities, if any (only for a rider) n.a.
The expert will have to provide for his/her own office space, urban transport and working equipment that include communication facilities.