Support to the Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement Facility

Detailed description of project Back

The TDCA-F finance agreement was signed in February 2009. The delay in the appointment of a PMU, as well as poor take-up of the programme in government, has the result that funds may be returned to Brussels due to lack of time to expend them. Despite the challenges in starting the programme, a number of departments have expressed interest in accessing grants through the programme. This interest has led National Treasury to indicate that they will, exceptionally, leas the programme implementation on the SA government side. DIRCO will provide political guidance.

The purpose of the assignment is to expedite the implementation of the programme by providing a resource to act as interim project management support until the appointment and establishment of the technical assistance team.

The primary focus of the assistance is the setting up of the institutional framework for programme implementation, and managing the application for, award of and accessing of resources for grants as envisaged under the finance agreement.

Type of services provided

The services are provided by a Senior ECD procedures Consultant. Core services include:

• Act as co-ordinator on the programme between ECD, National Treasury and DIRCO;
• Co-ordinate programme activities;
• Support the establishing the PSC and acting as secretariat to the PSC;
• Finalizing and issuing the grant guidelines;
• Support the establishment of office and operational space;
• Prepare agreed action plan for first year;
• Establish processes and systems for PMU and its interaction with SA government and the ECD systems;
• Mobilize and manage preparation of ToRs and resources for 1st round of support.