1. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Good governance is a critical challenge facing Cambodia in its efforts to sustain economic growth, reduce poverty and attain the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals. Accordingly, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) gives prominence to improving governance in its Rectangular Strategy 2004-2008, the Governance Action Plan, and the Decentralization and De-concentration Strategic Framework. One important initiative of RGC in this regard is the planned Demand for Good Governance (DFGG) Project, which will be supported by grant financing from the International Development Association (IDA).

The development objective of the DFGG Project is to promote good governance in Cambodia in order to sustain economic growth and poverty reduction. As elsewhere, efforts to improve governance in Cambodia have focused predominantly on supply-side instruments (e.g., more effective public administration and financial management, delivery of public services, etc,). While these are necessary and useful, better and more lasting results will be achieved if complemented by increased social accountability (i.e., more demand-side pressure).

The DFGG Project shall improve governance quality in Cambodia by building the capacities of institutions, and supporting programs/projects and coalitions, that promote, mediate or address demand for good governance in the context of a few key areas in RGC’s reform agenda. This will result in more effective design, implementation and monitoring of key reforms, and more transparency, accountability and responsiveness of the state to citizens.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has been assigned by the RGC to be the lead agency in the preparation of the DFGG Project. Preparation work, including pre-implementation activities prior to project effectiveness, has been programmed over a 52-week period and is expected to start in early 2008. Overall management of preparation is the responsibility of an MOI Undersecretary of State who has been designated as Project Coordinator. Preparation will involve coordination and supervision of a number of preparatory studies to be undertaken by consultants and, based on their findings, recommendations for eventual project design and institutional arrangements. Project preparation will require systematic engagement of a range of stakeholders from the government (both national and sub-national levels), donors, civil society and the World Bank.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTING ASSIGNMENT

The Project Team Leader will have three major tasks, namely:

• a). performing a lead role in DFGG project preparation, specifically, in the planning, coordination and management of the work of the project preparation consultants
• b). providing technical and strategic leadership in promoting and operationalizing the concepts and practices of DFGG throughout project preparation
• c). preparing the Operations Manual and Project Implementation Plan

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Project Team Leader are as follows:

• 3.1 Coordination and Management of Project Preparation
• The work of coordinating and managing project preparation require the team leader to perform the following tasks:
  • (a). review and update (as needed) the initial work plan for project preparation, and update it on a regular basis
  • (b). review and comment on all the preparation studies and other outputs of the preparation team, and be in charge of the quality assurance function
  • (c). review and be familiar with the TORs of all project preparation consultants, and recommend any necessary changes based on evolving project preparation priorities
  • (d). monitor, supervise and coordinate the work of the preparation consultants (including workshops and other operational matters) to ensure synergy and consistency, resolve conflicts, identify new and emerging issues, and adapt plans as needed
  • (e). coordinate the completion of all preparation tasks in a timely manner, including the timely submission of consultants’ reports, and ensure the highest quality
  • (f). serve as the communications focal point between the MOI Preparation Team and consultants to facilitate the transfer of knowledge
  • (g). liaise with the World Bank task team on matters pertaining to project preparation and the activities of the consultants, in consultation and coordination with the MOI Project Coordinator
  • (h). assist the MOI Project Coordinator in the day to day management of the preparation tasks, including setting up systems for project preparation and consulting with key state and non-state stakeholders, and other tasks related to project processing
• 3.2 Technical and Strategic Leadership on DFGG Concepts and Practices.
• This will require the Project Team Leader to perform the following tasks:
  • (a). develop a common framework for understanding the concept, operational practices and institutional applications of DFGG, in coordination with the consultant to be hired to identify, and design support to state institutions
  • (b). provide leadership and operational guidance on technical issues related to DFGG to consultants working on various aspects of the project
  • (c). mentor and coach the MOI Project Preparation Team, and engage key audiences throughout project preparation, to deepen understanding of the project development objectives, key components and DFGG operational modalities
  • (d). identify and make available to the project team key knowledge resources, in particular global best practices, in DFGG, and
  • (e).provide strategic guidance to the MOI Project Coordinator and other public officials, as needed, on DFGG concepts and applications
• 3.3 Preparation of the Operations Manual and Project Implementation Plan
• The Operations Manual (OM) and Project Implementation Plan (PIP), which will consolidate the outputs of the other consultants, shall be prepared by the Project Team Leader. While the overall draft will be prepared when all other preparatory studies have been completed, the Team Leader is expected to work on this task throughout the assignment.

4. REPORTING AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The consultant is expected to work for a period of 150 days over a one year period. Commencement date is set for February 1, 2007.

The Consultant is expected to submit the following written outputs.

4.1 Coordination and Management of Project Preparation

• (a). an updated work plan for project preparation
• (b). written comments and feedback on all preparation studies
• (c). periodic management reports to the MOI Project Coordinator as may be prescribed by him
• (d). reports of consultations with stakeholders, where necessary providing analysis of insights gained and their implications for project preparation, and
• (e). other written outputs as requested by the MOI Project Coordinator

4.2 Technical and Strategic Leadership on DFGG Concepts and Practices.

A framework document articulating, among other things, the concept, operational practices and institutional applications of DFGG, and in particular their relevance to the Cambodian context.

4.3 Operations Manual (OM) and Project Implementation Plan (PIP)

The OM and PIP should be consistent with the guidelines of the World Bank and Cambodian government. At a minimum, the OM and PIP shall include the following:

• (a). project development objectives, project rationale, project scope, and project benefits and risks
• (b). project description, including logframe and detailed description of components
• (c). detailed project timeline, with key milestones
• (d). strategic global and local context of the project, including how it fits with existing national policies and country systems
• (e). level of RGC and stakeholder commitment to the project, and measures to strengthen this
• (f). lessons learned from other similar projects and related analytical work in Cambodia, in the governance sector, and in comparable countries
• (g). detailed project cost estimates, financing plan (both overall and by components), and sources of funding
• (h). procurement and disbursement arrangements and plan
• (i). financial reporting and auditing arrangements
• (j). different institutional arrangements and their responsibilities, including organization responsible for project implementation, the funding and management entities for state and non-state institutions, and oversight and coordinating mechanisms
• (k). implementation agreements and relationships between the Executing Agency and different project implementing agencies
• (l). management and staffing in the Executing Agency and other key project institutions related to project implementation, including financial and human resources
• (m). learning mechanisms, and monitoring and evaluation framework for the project
• (n). key development impact indicators for measuring progress in reaching project development objectives, key progress indicators for monitoring delivery of project inputs and achievements of project outputs, and key financial indicators to assess the project’s budgetary and financial health
• (o). sustainability issues and arrangements
• (p). key environmental and social issues, if any
• (q). analysis of critical risks and mitigation plan, including the anti-corruption plan
• (r). communications and participation strategy for the project
• (s). readiness filters for project effectiveness and project implementation
• (t). a time-bound detailed implementation plan for each project component, and
• (u). annexes (including the state institutions to be supported by the project and the methodology for the selection of the non-state institutions)

The first draft of the OM and PIP shall be reviewed by the MOI Preparation Team, the World Bank Task Team, and the Oversight Committee of the project. This review should not take more than 15 days. The final version of the OM and PIP shall be prepared by the Consultant, taking into account the comments and recommendations received. This should be submitted within ten days from the receipt of the comments.

4.4 End-of-Preparation Report

This report will provide an assessment of the Preparation work, e.g., whether expected outputs were achieved, what problems were encountered and solutions undertaken, lessons learned and recommendations for future project preparation work.

5. RESOURCES TO BE PROVIDED BY MOI

The Consultant will work with the Project Preparation Team that has been organized by MOI to oversee the preparation of the DFGG project.

Aside from providing office space, MOI will also provide the Consultant with administrative support, including technical and communications facilities, assistance with making appointments and travel arrangements, organizing meetings and workshops, distributing documents, and other provisions necessary to facilitate the work of the Consultant.

6. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will work in Phnom Penh at the offices of the MOI. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the MOI Undersecretary of State who has been designated as the Project Coordinator for DFGG preparation. The Consultant will coordinate closely with other consultants engaged in preparation and the MOI Preparation Team.

The Consultant will liaise with the World Bank team regarding his/her tasks, and also act as the technical focal point of the MOI Project Preparation Team for interacting with the World Bank task team. This will be done in consultation and coordination with the MOI Project Coordinator.

7. REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF CONSULTANT

This assignment is subject to international recruitment. The Consultant must be a citizen of a member country of the World Bank, and will have the following qualifications and experience:

At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, public administration, business administration, accounting and financial management or other relevant disciplines. Specialized training in relevant areas of the project will be an advantage.

At least 15 years professional experience in international development with a focus on demand side approaches and social accountability approaches to improving governance. S/he will therefore be professionally well grounded in DFGG and social accountability concepts and applications, and recognized internationally in this field

The Consultant should have experience in directing, coordinating and managing large-scale multilateral or bilateral development projects in these areas.

Work experience at senior levels in both state and civil society will be a strong advantage

Strong leadership and managerial experience and skills, and the ability to work with international, multi-disciplinary teams in culturally sensitive environments. The Consultant will have significant interpersonal, diplomatic, problem-solving, conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and the ability to build partnerships and communicate with the Cambodian government, civil society, the donor community and the private sector

Familiarity with World Bank project and grant policies and processes is preferred. Hands on experience in preparing and managing Project Implementation Plans and Operational Manuals will be a strong advantage

A high degree of integrity, dedication and commitment to the development objectives of the DFGG Project

Computer literacy, with high proficiency in the use of standard business software packages

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and the ability to prepare and synthesize lengthy and complex documents. Understanding of the Khmer language would be an advantage

Relevant experience in Cambodia and South East Asia will be a strong advantage