NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Strengthening Rangeland Rehabilitation and Development"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the objective of the project, FAO inputs and expected results by the end of the project.

Data Needs:

Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

Data Sources:

Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

See TCP Guidelines.

Identify the problem for which assistance is requested and provide evidence that TCP criteria - which govern eligibility for TCP funding - are met.

"This section will contain the background to the request and a brief description of the specific problem, highlighting its causes and effects, in the particular sector or subsector in which the project will be placed. It should specifically explain the sector's importance, the critical gap to be filled and the urgency of the problem to be solved in the context of the relevant Government's sector and subsector strategy and policy. It should also explain the consequences caused by non-action on this specific problem, and outline how the assistance requested will be utilized to fill a particularly urgent need which cannot be met from other sources. Mention should be made of other related activities supported by the Government or by other assistance agencies.

The justification should highlight the follow-up action expected after completion of the project and the expected project's catalytic role in connection with the Government's development efforts. It should, in particular, clarify how the Government intends to ensure realization of the planned project results in a sustainable manner, and the extent to which this will depend on national budgetary or policy decisions or funding decisions by other donors." (TCP Guidelines)

This section should cover issues concerning:

- Prevention of rangeland degradation and reversal of the desertification process;
- Restoration of rangeland productivity and stabilization of range forage and livestock production;
- Enhancement of environmental quality; and
- Improvement of the economic and social welfare of populations living on and drawing their livelihood from these lands.
- Improvement of the environmental data management.

Example text:
One of the main impediments to improved environmental management is lack of reliable and up-to-date information. Systematic collection and analysis of environmental and natural resources data over large areas of arid and semi-arid terrain is costly and time-consuming and has often been, of necessity, a low priority. In certain cases, there is no substitute for the collection of environmental data by ground-based techniques. In many cases, however, data gathered by remote sensing, used with other spatial and non-spatial data can support the monitoring process at low cost and in a way that complements or replaces field techniques.

Data Needs:

Quantitative indicators of the current state of natural resource base.
Current staffing and training of Ministry of Agriculture at central and decentralized levels.
Ministry of Agriculture staff and non-staff budgetary allocations to support staffing at each level.
Availability of existing facilities - quantified by number of computers and supporting software.
Assessment of the state of thematic mapping and availability of topographic data and satellite imagery.
Assessment of market potential to support communications infrastructure - e.g. web and it's bandwidth.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Rangelands, Information Management Units
Ministry of Planning/Finance
Survey Department
National university/research institution studies
FAO agricultural production statistics, FAO studies in the country

III. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

"This section will state briefly but in specific terms, the particular objective(s) which the project is expected to achieve. The project objective is defined as a specific aim to be achieved and formulated as the expected future improved situation after the successful completion of the project. The statement should be drafted wherever possible in terms permitting subsequent verification of project accomplishments." (TCP Guidelines)

Example text:
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the national capacity to undertake comprehensive monitoring and assessment of rangeland conditions, with a view to contributing to the process of recovery from the current drought through increased rangeland and livestock productivity, improved food security of pastoral communities, and reduced land degradation/desertification.

Data Needs:

Quantitative indicators to monitor the quality and extent of rangeland degradation.
Assessment of current capacities in Minstry of Agriculture.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Rangeland Department
Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development or equivalent
Survey Department

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

"Outputs (results) to be defined in this section, are the specific products of activities undertaken, the combined use of which by project beneficiaries will achieve the objective of the project, provided assumptions about external factors are correct. They should be defined in terms that permit their verification in quantity, quality and time, and should be consistent with the project objective and design, and provide the basis for the elaboration of a clear, detailed work plan." (TCP Guidelines)

Data Needs:

Number and skill level of existing staff members.
Institutional analyses (National Spatial Data Infrastructure) for data collection and providers in the natural resources sector.
Current dissemination and information access mechanisms.
Extent of current information holdings and periodicity of update.
Availability of local coverage of aerial photography/satellite data/vector layers of natural resources information/population distribution/topographic elevation data availability/climatic data availability and geographical coverage and density of stations.
Details on rural community engagement in the sector and number of livestock and spatial distribution.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Rural Development or equivalent
Survey Department

V. WORK PLAN

Example text:
This project will make maximum use of the results of other projects, paying particular attention not to duplicate efforts. It will seek implement a rangeland monitoring and information management system that will provide an ongoing impetus for improvements to the information policies, standards, systems, data, etc., at Government level and potentially beyond. The project will also be a model for any ministry-wide information management project and would promote interest and confidence in the process.

Along with appropriate training and information, policy structures could be rapidly introduced and implemented. These technologies include a data access and manipulation tool for general users on their desktop, an Internet-based data access and mapping tool, a warehouse management tool, a metadata standard, and an activity-tracking information system. Throughout the process, communications and training will be key components.

Data Needs:

Estimate and logical time sequence of the major project activities and input needs.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development or equivalent

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The project agreement is to describe in clear terms how the project will use national experts/consultants to achieve project objectives and how the use of such experts/consultants will contribute to building national capacity in the recipient institution/country. (TCP Guidelines)

Data Needs:

Numerical data on training under the project.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development or equivalent

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered line items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided. The sum of related amounts of each sub-category under each line item should add up to the total for the line item.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS)

Priority and preference should be given to the employment of competent experts under the TCDC/TCCT programmes in countries that have signed these agreements. There are specific limits to the use of international expertise at UN rates. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training

International experts: the project will be implemented as much as possible through cooperation between developing countries and more generally within the framework of the new programmes established by FAO.
- environmental/rangeland indicators
- remote sensing for land cover mapping and monitoring of rangelands
- SIMS - Systems Design/Warehouse development
- range ecology/management
- information management.

National experts: a provision (man/months) should be prepared to include different expertise such as:
- information technology
- terrestrial resource base
- animal production
- socio-economist.

Data Needs:

Number, type and cost of each input (Numbers of staff participating, of items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate, etc.).

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development or equivalent
FAO
UNDP
Local suppliers/providers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

The National Project Director will prepare quarterly technical project progress reports.

Upon mission completion, all the international, national and TCDC consultants will submit a technical report to include main findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Study tour and fellowship participants will each prepare a report on their visits and training.

The National Project Director together with the Lead Technical Consultant will be responsible for preparing a project draft Terminal Statement, in accordance with TCP procedures for review and finalization and submission by FAO to the Government.

Within one year of project completion, the Government will submit a brief report on action taken on the main recommendations resulting from the project.

Data Needs:

Operation-related performance data/information on training activities and outputs.
Reports on specific problems.
Consultant's itinerary, persons met, terms of reference, lists of additional equipment, etc.

Data Sources:

Project records
Project staff
Participatory rural appraisal exercises
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development, or equivalent.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by the Government; (ii) designation of Government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratories and their test results, and access to the field - which may be under provincial or district authority. All need to be included in this section as they might apply.

See in particular TCP Guidelines, Annex I, page vii and the following excerpts:

Request must be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken...

Requests must provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Government in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources. (Annex IVa, page i).

Each project should be supervised by a National Project Coordinator nominated and paid by the Government. National Project Professional Personnel or consultants recruited by FAO are fully accountable to the Organization and cannot be on the Government payroll at the time of their assignment (page 10, par. 46). They may not be recruited from the counterpart institution/cooperating agency (Annex 1, page iv).

Data Needs:

Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development or equivalent

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country.

Data Needs:

Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

Data Sources:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
FAO
UNDP
Equipment suppliers
Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the training programme.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Itemized list of equipment.
5. Itemized list of materials and supplies.
6. Terms of reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.

Data Needs:

Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.

Data Sources:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Planning and Rural Development or equivalent