The overall objective of the assignment was to assist the Government of Eswatini in the reduction of poverty in the country.
The purpose of the project was to improve the speed, the quality and the amount of the EU support to Eswatini. The programme aimed to develop the capacity of the NAO support unit to enable the NAO to effectively and efficiently perform and fulfil all of the responsibilities as set out in Article 35 of Annex IV of the Cotonou Agreement. The project also developed the capacity of line ministries, parastatals and NSAs to manage EDF/EU funds and strengthen their capability to design and implement policies, as well as to optimise absorption capacity.
The results of the assignment were defined as follows:
1. The consultant/TAT must ensure that all NAO staff, line ministries, parastatals and NSA’s currently implementing EU funded programmes are well trained in all disciplines related to PCM (identification, formulation, implementation and evaluation), EU procedures, and sound financial management. Training to be undertaken must include but not limited to on the job mentoring, formal training, etc.
2. The consultant/TAT must ensure smooth implementation which includes but is not limited to formulation of contract documents, meeting of contract deadlines, processing of all contract related documents, monitoring and supervision of contracts etc, of all EU funded projects by backstopping programme managers. The TAT is expected to be semi-operational, depending on the situation on the ground.
3. The consultant/TAT is expected to offer technical support at all levels in the identification, formulation as well as the implementation of the 10th EDF and 11th EDF.
4. The consultant/TAT is expected to offer technical support to the NAO/ACMS in performing its general ODA coordination and management role.