DFID 7491 Building Core Systems in the Government of Sierra Leone – Technical Assistance Component

Correct CPV code is: 75211200 - Foreign Economic Aid Related Services

Objective

The service provider will design, manage and implement an extensive 18-20 month programme of technical assistance supporting the objectives of the BCS programme. The programme will have two phases, an inception phase and an implementation phase, with a break point in between the two phases. Progress by the service provider to the implementation phase will be subject to the quality, depth and value for money offered by the proposal outlined in the inception report.

The inception phase will last for two months following the award of contract. At the end of the inception phase, the service provider will present to DFID a detailed, costed, prioritised and sequenced inception report outlining a proposed programme of support that takes account of context, aligns with DFID’s wider portfolio and incorporates the inputs of other development partners. This will include evidence-based gap analysis of PFM systems. This will further be complemented by a draft logframe, baseline data and key indicators and a budget for the delivery of the programme. The inception report will also provide recommendations on the governance arrangements of the new programme. The inception report should explicitly address:

a. where TA is both required and requested within GoSL under each of the five areas, including overarching objectives of the TA, expected activities and which departments the TA will support; evidence of requests for TA support by the GoSL should be provided; b. how the TA will directly support achievement of the DLIs and how it will lead to sustainable improvements in core systems; c. how the design takes account of the political economy landscape and capacity in recipient MDAs including where there are risks of obstacles causing delays; d. a draft schedule for the delivery of the TA programme including details of when required expertise could be mobilised and the expected duration of each component of the TA programme; e. what other TA is already underway or planned in these areas and how DFID’s TA programme will complement these; f. management and reporting structures; g. The composition of the team that the service provider would mobilise to implement the proposed TA programme, including a breakdown of the team by posts required h. duty of care arrangements i. A budget for the delivery of the implementation phase of the programme

Following delivery of the inception report, DFID and the service provider will mutually agree on the workplan and budget for the implementation phase and the activities required to deliver the expected project outputs below: • A sustainable public sector wage bill • Improved transparency and more competition in national procurement • A well-developed and well-executed national budget • Sound macroeconomic management • Improved domestic revenue collection