INTERNATIONAL & MULTILATERAL ORGANISATION (excluding: UNICEF, UNDP, UNIDO, UNFPA, IMF & Inter American Development Bank ) Memorandum of Understanding Between The Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland And UNOPS Roads in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Phase 2, ARIES number 203164 I am pleased to inform you that the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acting through the Department for International Development ("DFID"), will make available to UNOPS a sum not exceeding £6,958,589 ( (six million, nine hundred and fifty eight thousand, five hundred and eighty nine pounds sterling), (referred to as "the Contribution") to support Roads in the East Phase of DRC 2 ("the Project") as set out in the attached DFID Business Case and UNOPS Project Implementation Document (PID). 1. The Project will commence on 1st May 2012 and will end on 30th April 2014. 2. The arrangements for this Project and the purpose for which the Contribution will be used are set out in the attached DFID Business Case and UNOPS Project Implementation Document (PID) at Annexes 5 and 6. 3. The Contribution will be administered by UNOPS and will be subject to the following provisions: (a) The Contribution will be used by UNOPS for the provision of goods and services as specified in the project document. UNOPS will make every effort to ensure timely and full implementation of the Project. (b) The Contribution is stated in pounds sterling but may be paid in foreign currency (at the exchange rate prevailing on the day of transfer) in accordance with the payment schedule in paragraph 5. (c) The Contribution will not be used to meet the cost of import or customs duties (or any similar fees) imposed by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the goods imported or services provided. 4. As soon as this Memorandum of Understanding comes into operation, DFID will make payments in accordance with the following payment schedule and the results-based payments key performance indicators at Annex 4: Up to £3,479,295 by 31/05/12 Up to £1,739,647 by 31/12/12 subject to KPIs in annex 4 having been met Up to £1,739,647 by 30/06/13 subject to KPIs in annex 4 having been met 5. The payment schedule may be amended with DFID’s approval dependant on actual expenditure and need and UNOPS’ performance against the key performance indicators at Annex 4. DFID will notify UNOPS of each payment using Annex 1. 6. When requesting payment, UNOPS will submit to DFID a statement detailing actual expenditure to date (committed and spent). Please complete Annex 2, which should be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of the following period’s estimated costs. 7. Payments will be made into UNOPS bank account as detailed on the DFID portal. If the payment is to go to a different account from the one already registered, you must set up an additional entry on the portal. If your organisation has more than one account registered with us, please confirm below the details of the account entry to be used. If you are a new supplier/recipient you must register with us on the DFID portal which can be found here: Bank Name: Bank Postal Address: Name of Account: Bank Account Number: JP Morgan Chase Bank 1166 Avenue of the Americas New York NY 10036 USA UNDP CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT (UNOPS) 323 846 017 Sort Code: Currency of Bank Account: USD IBAN number: [required for bank accounts within Europe] 323 846 017 SWIFT number: ABA or BIC Number: [BIC required for bank accounts within Europe] CHASUS33XXX ABA 0210 000 21 Intermediary bank details: 8. The officers responsible for co-ordination of all matters relating to this Memorandum of Understanding are: DFID: Paul Muzadi; DFID DRC Deputy Programme Manager; + 243 (0)81 346 4291; British Embassy, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; p-muzadi@dfid.gov.uk UNOPS: Hubert DOMAI; Programme Analyst; +243 (0)81 715 2101; UNOPS CDOC, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; hubertd@unops.org 9. UNOPS will ensure that the Contribution is, prior to disbursement, kept in an account where the project funds may be separately accounted for. The funds in the Account may be freely exchanged by UNOPS into other currencies as may facilitate their disbursement. 10. The cost of administration and any other expenses incurred by UNOPS directly relating to the Project will not exceed 7%. 11. Any interest accrued from the investment of the Contribution will be used solely to fund activities related to this specific project. 12. At the end of the project, any unspent funds and/or interest accrued must be returned to DFID using Annex 3. 13. UNOPS will administer and account for the Contribution in accordance with its financial regulations and other applicable rules and procedures and practices and keep separate records and accounts for the Project. The Contribution will be solely for Roads in the East Phase 2. 14. To validate the robustness of its systems at the country level, including the capacity and capability of UNOPS to oversee the work of third parties who they sub-contract, DFID will carry out a Due Diligence Assessment (DDA) of the UNOPS Operations Centre in DRC. 15. UNOPS will submit to DFID: Within 3 months of completion of the Project a final progress report Within 3 months of completion of the Project a final financial report detailing Project expenditure 16. (A) Funds received under this Memorandum of Understanding will be administered in accordance with the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules. All financial accounts and statements will be subject exclusively to the internal and external auditing procedures laid down in the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules. Under the United Nations’ single audit principle, the United Nations Board of Auditors has the exclusive right to carry out external audit of the accounts and statements of United Nations organisations, including UNOPS. (B) UNOPS will provide annual financial statements on the Project’s receipts and expenditures, within six months of the close of the annual financial statements of UNOPS. Such statements will be certified by the UNOPS Comptroller or his/her delegate. (C) UNOPS will also provide, within six months from the date of closure of said financial statements, an audit report which provides a written opinion from the UNOPS IAIG as to (i) whether the funds have been used in accordance with the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding, and (ii) an assessment of the internal controls for the economic and efficient use of resources. The audit will be conducted in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing. The costs incurred on all such audits will be paid for by the client by providing a line for audit costs in the project budget. 17. Although UNOPS may delegate aspects of the project to partner organisations, or to other third party representatives acting on UNOPS or UNOPS’ partners behalf, it is understood that UNOPS remains solely accountable for delivering the project and for compliance with the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding. 18. If at any stage the UNOPS should become aware of, or suspect, any misappropriation or diversion of funds or possible fraud or corruption relating to the project activities funded by the DFID grant, UNOPS must report the matter immediately to DFID. 19. DFID will not be responsible for the activities of any person or third party engaged by UNOPS as a result of this Memorandum, nor will DFID be liable for any costs incurred by UNOPS in terminating the engagement of any such person. In the event of any misappropriation or diversion of funds or possible fraud or corruption, UNOPS, and not the third party responsible, will be liable for the repayment of these funds to DFID. UNOPS will take appropriate measures to prevent irregularities, fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity in the management of the Action. All suspected and actual cases of irregularity, fraud and corruption related to this Memorandum of Understanding as well as measures related thereto taken by UNOPS must be reported to DFID without delay. Where appropriate UNOPS will terminate contracts with partners, contractors or agents involved in fraudulent behaviour or corrupt practices in connection with this or any other actions implemented by UNOPS and financed by DFID or the Contracting Authority, and take all reasonable measures to recover funds unduly paid. 20. If UNOPS is prevented by force majeure from fulfilling its commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding, it will not be deemed in breach of such commitments. UNOPS will use all reasonable efforts to mitigate the consequences of force majeure. Force majeure as used hereby is defined as natural catastrophes such as but not limited to earthquakes, floods, cyclonic or volcanic activity; war (whether declared or not), invasion, rebellion, terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil war, riot, radiation or contaminations by radio-activity; other acts of a similar nature or force. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, UNOPS will in no event be liable as a result or consequence of any act or omission on the part of DFID, the government and/or any provincial and/or municipal authorities, including its agents, servants and employees. 21. UNOPS decides to collaborate with DFID to build support for development and raise awareness of the UK government's funding for development activity. Both will proactively look for ways to raise awareness of UK government funding for development. UNOPS will explicitly acknowledge DFID's support through use of DFID's UKaid logo in all communications with the public or third parties about this project, unless otherwise agreed [in advance]. UNOPS also decides to collaborate with DFID on other awareness raising activities where feasible and appropriate, in the UK and overseas, to profile the partnership and the results it is delivering. 22. In line with DFID's transparency arrangements, UNOPS gives consent for this Arrangement (and any subsequent amendments) to be published on DFID's website. 23. If any changes occur which, in the opinion of DFID, impair significantly the developmental value of the project, DFID and UNOPS will normally consult on measures to resolve the problem and possible courses of action. Either Participant may modify or terminate this Memorandum of Understanding for cause upon 120 (one hundred and twenty) days’ written notice to the other. In the event of termination, all remaining funds other than those irrevocably committed in good faith before the date of termination and those decided between the two participants as being required to finalise activities will be returned to the DFID bank account referenced above. The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will survive any termination, to the extent necessary to permit an orderly settlement of accounts between the Participants. The form at Annex 3 should be sent to DFID. 24. Any notice, request or consent required or permitted to be given or made pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding will be sent in writing by registered mail, confirmed facsimile or electronic means including e-mail and addressed to: DFID Address: Ambassade Britannique, Rue Baudouin, Kinshasa/Gombe, DRC Contact person: Christopher Pycroft Phone: + 243 (0)81 509 5221 E-mail: c-pycroft@dfid.gov.uk UNOPS Address: 57 Ave du Livre, Kinshasa/Gombe, DRC Contact person: Brian Treacy Phone: +243 (0)81 710 7786 E-mail: briant@unops.org 25. In the event of any dispute or disagreement, DFID and UNOPS will consult on measures to resolve the problem and possible courses of action. Nothing contained in or relating to this Memorandum of Understanding, including but not limited to any contract entered into in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding, will be deemed a waiver, express or implied, of any of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its subsidiary organs, including UNOPS, whether under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, or otherwise, and no provision of this Memorandum of Understanding or any contract entered into accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding will be interpreted or applied in a manner, or to an extent, inconsistent with such privileges and immunities. 26. If the arrangements set out above and in the attached DFID Business Case and UNOPS Project Implementation Document are acceptable to UNOPS, I suggest that this MOU will place on record the understanding of our two Organisations and will come into operation on the date of your signature below. Please sign both copies of the original, retain one for your own records and return the other to DFID. Signed on behalf of DFID: Name: Christopher Pycroft Position: Head of DFID DRC Address: Ambassade Britannique, Rue Baudouin, Kinshasa, DRC Signed on behalf of UNOPS: Name: Salim Maloof Position: CDOC Head of Programmes Address: 57 Ave du Livre, Kinshasa/Gombe, DRC ANNEX 1: NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT BY DFID To: UNOPS CDOC Address: 57 Ave du Livre Kinshasa, Gombe DRC Cc: Financial Management Group, DFID, Abercrombie House, East Kilbride, Scotland UNOPS CDOC DFID DRC has authorised the payment of £3,479,295 (three million, four hundred and seventy nine thousand, two hundred and ninety five pounds) by 31st May 2012 into UNOPS’ bank account as detailed on the DFID portal. If your organisation has more than one account registered with us, confirmed below are the details of the account to which the payment has been made. Bank Name: Bank Postal Address: Name of Account: Bank Account Number: JP Morgan Chase Bank 1166 Avenue of the Americas New York NY 10036 USA UNDP CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT (UNOPS) 323 846 017 Sort Code: Currency of Bank Account: IBAN number: SWIFT number: ABA or BIC Number: USD 323 846 017 CHASUS33XXX ABA 0210 000 21 Intermediary bank details: in respect of Roads in the East of DRC Phase 2, ARIES number 203164 DFID DRC Name: Paul Muzadi Position: Deputy Programme Manager E-mail: p-muzadi@dfid.gov.uk ANNEX 2: REQUEST FOR PAYMENT FROM DFID To: Paul Muzadi, DFID DRC Cc: Financial Management Group, DFID, Abercrombie House, East Kilbride, Scotland UNOPS CDOC UNOPS requests payment of £3,479,295 (three million, four hundred and seventy nine thousand, two hundred and ninety five pounds) by 31st May 2012 into UNOPS’ bank account as detailed on the DFID portal. If the payment is to go to a different account from the one already registered, you must set up an additional entry on the portal. If your organisation has more than one account registered with us, please confirm below the details of the account entry to be used. Bank Name: Bank Postal Address: Name of Account: Bank Account Number: JP Morgan Chase Bank 1166 Avenue of the Americas New York NY 10036 USA UNDP CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT (UNOPS) 323 846 017 Sort Code: Currency of Bank Account: USD IBAN number: [required for bank accounts within Europe] 323 846 017 SWIFT number: ABA or BIC Number: [BIC required for bank accounts within Europe] CHASUS33XXX ABA 0210 000 21 in respect of Roads in the East of DRC Phase 2, ARIES number 203164 UNOPS Name: Position: Address: E-mail: Hubert DOMAI Programme Analyst UNOPS CDOC, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; hubertd@unops.org ANNEX 3: NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT TO DFID To: [DFID Programme Manager Country X] Cc: Financial Management Group, DFID, Abercrombie House, East Kilbride, Scotland [NAME of ORGANISATION] Country Office [NAME of ORGANISATION] has authorised the payment of [AMOUNT IN FIGURES] [AMOUNT IN WORDS] on [DATE] into the DFID Bank Account. DFID’s bank accounts and the payment methods required for such transfers are as follows, please choose one of the following as appropriate: BACS: Payments of small amounts in the UK and CHAPS over £10,000 should be paid to the following account: Bank: Sort code: Account number: Account Code Component Code Citibank 08-33-00 12294702 Electronic receipts from Overseas: Receipts transferred direct from an overseas bank account should be paid to the following Citibank Bank account: Bank: Sort code: Account Code Component Code . Citibank 08-33-00 Account No: 12294702 Quoting: Pay Citi London : BIC/Swift CITIGB2L IBAN : GB33CITI08330012294702 Posting Address : 25 Canada Square , Canary Wharf, London , E14 5LB Please obtain Account Code and the Component Code Reference from your DFID Contact if you do not know it. Any organisation wishing to refund DFID by cheque should make the cheque payable to Department for International Development and send it to their DFID Programme Officer along with a letter confirming the reason for the refund. [NAME of ORGANISATION] Name: Position: Address: E-mail: Annex 4: Procedures for payment and verification of performance The payment schedule and results-based triggers are tied to financial progress against the overall value of the MoU. According to UNOPS’ procedures, financial progress is a function of disbursements to vendors through measured delivery of works contracts. This means that there is a direct correlation between expenditure and programme delivery. Financial disbursement by UNOPS is a measure of quality-assured delivery of outputs, and therefore constitutes a method of payment by results. The results-based trigger covering financial progress will measure the achievement of the following outputs: (a) the number of kilometres of road that have been upgraded to a sufficiently high standard, (b) the number of kilometres that have been maintained, (c) the proportion of women and demobilised soldiers in the workforce, and (d) management of the direct environmental and social impacts of the road. This covers outputs 1 (“Roads built, upgraded, rehabilitated and maintained”), 2 (“Equitable employment generated by road works and maintenance”) and 3 (“Negative direct and indirect impacts of the roads identified and mitigated”) of the programme logframe. UNOPS issues payments to its partner organisations based on certified volume of works. In addition to UNOPS’ verification of delivery by its sub-contractors, DFID’s technical support consultant will conduct quarterly missions to independently verify the delivery of outputs as demonstrated by UNOPS’ financial progress. Results-based triggers for payments Payment 1 – 50% Payment 2 – 25% Payment 3 – 25% UNOPS is only in a position to award contracts based on the cash transferred into its accounts. The first payment does not therefore include any KPIs Financial progress (i.e. disbursements based on quality-assured delivery of contracted works) on works, environmental and social management and maintenance has reached at least 15% of the total value of the grant and engagements have reached 70% of the value of the works, environmental and social management and maintenance investment plan UNOPS has agreed DFID’s ToR for a due diligence assessment, agreed the findings of the due diligence assessment and developed an implementation plan for appropriate mitigation measures arising from the assessment. This assessment will not constitute an external audit and will not represent a waiver of the immunities and privileges of the United Nations of which UNOPS is an integral part. Financial progress (i.e. disbursements based on quality-assured delivery of contracted works) on works, environmental and social management and maintenance has reached at least 50% of the total value of the grant and engagements have reached 95% of the value of the works, environmental and social management and maintenance investment plan Value for money UNOPS will endeavour to ensure that best value for money (VfM) is obtained. UNOPS will manage the programme and source and utilise goods and services through strategies and processes that minimise cost, find economies of scale, obtain high productivity, and achieve results. Value for money (VfM) will be assessed each year as part of DFID’s annual review process. The project will carry out a procurement review on a bi-annual basis as described in section I.5 Component 1: Road Works and Contracting Strategy of the PID (Annex 6): “The procurement plan for works contracts will undergo a bi-annual review to assure value for money. Analytical criteria to be applied will concentrate on average cost/km for awarded contracts and procurement planned for the subsequent quarter to ensure the discount rate remains within acceptable thresholds. Analysis will be integrated into the reports for review by the Programme Coordination Committee on a bi-annual basis.” Annex 5: UNOPS Project Implementation Document (PID) GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO CDOC / Humanitarian and Post-Conflict Unit ANNEX 5: Project Initiation Document Roads in the East : Burhale Shabunda Phase 2 Version 1 Document Security: CONFIDENTIAL Presented by Sonja Varga, Programme Specialist and Marc Empain Project Manager and Regional Coordinator for Eastern DRC Presented to Pierre Jullien, Director UNOPS CDOC Date: 19 March 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Heading page no. Project Initiation Document ...................................................................................................................... 10 Document Control ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Project Definition ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Background ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Objectives and desired outcomes ............................................................................................................. 14 Project scope and exclusions .................................................................................................................... 16 Constraints and Assumptions .................................................................................................................... 17 The user(s) and any other known interested parties ................................................................................ 21 Interfaces ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Project approach ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Business Case............................................................................................................................................. 25 Project Management Team Structure ....................................................................................................... 26 Role Descriptions ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Quality Management Strategy .................................................................................................................. 31 Configuration Management Strategy........................................................................................................ 34 Risk Management Strategy ....................................................................................................................... 36 Communication Management Strategy .................................................................................................... 40 Stakeholder Information Requirements ................................................................................................... 43 Project Plan................................................................................................................................................ 43 Project Controls ......................................................................................................................................... 44 Annexes ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 1. Document Control Document Storage Document title: Author: Last Updated: Last Saved by: PID/Roads in the East: Burhale Shabunda Ph 2 Sonja Varga Created on 19/03/2016 04:00:00 Sonja Varga Control Log Version v0-01 v0-02 v0-03 v0-04 FINAL Author Sonja Varga Sonja Varga Sonja Varga Sonja Varga Sonja Varga Description of Changes First draft Second draft Third draft Fourth draft FINAL draft Date 19/01/2012 25/02/2012 16/03/2012 03/04/2012 27/04/2012 Document Circulation Organisation UNOPS Dept. CDOC Person Sonja Varga UNOPS UNOPS CDOC/Goma CDOC/Bukavu Marc Empain Frederic Fanou UNOPS DFID CDOC DFID/DRC/Kinshasa Abdoul Dieng Vicky Seymour DFID DFID/DRC/Kinshasa Phoebe White DFID DFID SSU DFID/DRC/Kinshasa Technical Assistance SSU Rodney Dyer Eddy Bynens Pierre Bardoux Title Progamme Spec. Humanitarian & PostConflict PM & Eastern Coordinator PM DFID Contribution to ISSSS HOSS Infrastructure and Environment Adviser Deputy Programme Manager - Natural Resources, Water & Road Technical Advisor Deputy, Eastern Coordinator SSU I. Project Definition 1. Background After years of wars and neglect, several areas of the Eastern provinces had been rendered inaccessible by road. This state of isolation exposes people to major security and human rights risks while inhibiting trade and increasing the vulnerability of local populations. Likewise this isolation impedes the deployment of security forces and humanitarian organizations as well as hindering the work of administration and justice services. Over the past 3years the International Community has been implementing a multi-sector, multi-agency programme to support the Government of DRC’s strategy to stabilise eastern DRC. The International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS) will support the Government Stabilization and Reconstruction Plan for War-Affected Areas (STAREC) until 2014. The Plan builds on priorities identified by national and international partners at provincial level. The aim of the ISSS is to, “address specific root causes and consequences of conflict, support the implementation of peace initiatives at local level, and help stabilize areas where conflict has recently ceased.”1 The strategy will be implemented in the areas where armed groups are disengaging- Orientale, North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema, northern Katanga and Equateur. Thus far, a number of donors have supported the ISSSS. Nevertheless, there are important funding shortfalls for the initial ISSSS plan, and funding has not been secured for the two priority roads identified in the revised strategy. The theory of change behind the ISSSS and STAREC is based on the logic that reestablishing road movement along key transport links and creating corridors of security is of critical importance to reinforcing state presence in the Eastern provinces as is a top priority for the Government of DRC and the UN mission (MONUSCO). Not only does it permit the circulation of public security forces and facilitate access to key state services such as administration and justice, but accessibility enhances the delivery of much needed humanitarian support and reduces the isolation in which illegal armed groups and bandits thrive. Similarly, improved transport conditions increase livelihood opportunities for the populations served by the road and are drivers for economic growth. 2. Needs Assessment The Bukavu to Shabunda road was once an important trading route between the fertile lowlands around Shabunda and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, and important border town with Rwanda and Burundi. The Shabunda Territory was particularly noted for its palm oil production, exported for consumption in the higher altitude markets of South Kivu, Rwanda and Burundi where the crop does not grow. Likewise, the territory is rich in minerals. However a combination of lack of maintenance, insecurity and social upheaval caused by armed conflict, led to the profound degradation of the road conditions rendering it virtually impassable for nearly 20 years. This isolation made it difficult to deploy national security forces and local functionaries. Consequently, the area had become a haven for the illegal exploitation of natural resources and armed groups. 1 See the ISSSS Integrated Programme Framework (IPF) 2009 – 2012. Under a first phase of funding from DFID the road was reopened in December 2010 to traffic after being impassable for a number of years. The aim of the first phase of the project was to reopen the road for 4x4 (standard pickup) traffic, to a basic standard as quickly as possible using a predominantly labour based approach,2 and establish a labour based maintenance system. The second phase proposed below, is based on the information gathered during the first. It will upgrade the road for 4x2 traffic to travel at a speed of 40km/h. The two phases may overlap. The importance of upgrading the Burhale-Shabunda road has been confirmed through the ISSSS priority plan for 2012-2014. This is further affirmed by the endorsement of the Fiche de Projet by the Comite Technique Conjoint (CTC) for South Kivu on 27 March 2012, chaired by the Provincial Governor. 3. Previous Experience and Lessons Learnt With experience and expertise in managing projects and providing vital support services worldwide, UNOPS helps its clients achieve their peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and development objectives globally. UNOPS is unique within the UN system as a fully self financed provider of implementation services. This prompts efficiency and financial discipline. The not-for profit status ensures that efficiency gains benefit its partners. For the period 2010-2013, UNOPS has defined four high level goals: 1. 2. 3. 4. Rebuilding peace and stability after conflict Early recovery of communities affected by natural disaster Ability of people to develop local economies and obtain social services Environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change Within each goal, UNOPS targets three main cross-cutting objectives: gender equality and empowerment of women, national capacity development and environmental sustainability. With more than 10 years’ experience implementing projects in the DRC and nearly 5 years as a key implementing partner of the UNSSS/ISSSS/STAREC. During the last five years, UNOPS has reopened and upgraded nearly 575km of roads on the ISSSS/STAREC six (6) strategic axes in eastern DRC with funding contributions from several donors. In South Kivu road rehabilitation works have been carried out on the Miti-Hombo axis with funding from the government of Netherlands and Sweden. Under a funding contribution from the Government of the UK (DFID) a 304km section of road connecting Bukavu to Shabunda territory was reopened to a standard of an average traffic speed of 20km/hr for 4x4 vehicles and put in place an environment and social management plan to redress potential direct and indirect impacts identified in the catchment area of the axis. Finally, on a regional level, the DFID contribution to UNSSSS foresaw the implementation of a transitional maintenance system covering all 6 strategic axes to provide interim 2 Exceptions will include areas where large landslides have occurred requiring the using of mechanised equipment. arrangements while FONER became operational. The transitional maintenance arrangements are scheduled to come to an end in 2012. On the basis of its experience implementing road sector projects in the eastern provinces, a number of lessons have been integrated into the project implementation strategy: 1. Application of Prince 2 project management methods ensures timely communication and joint decision making mechanisms. 2. The capacity of the local contracting sector is a critical factor for efficient project implementation. In post-conflict settings the maturity of the local contracting sector tends to be relatively weak. While general private sector capacity development may not be viable within an individual construction project, mainstreaming of on-the-job training for local contractors in implementation strategies enhances the sustainability of construction projects and mitigates risks associated with delays and under-performance of local contractors. 3. Community engagement and capacity building are critical for project success and promoting sustainability. While this applies to all aspects of rural development and stabilization projects, integration of participatory methods into the implementation strategies for environment and social management plan is an optimal entry point. 4. Ensuring project equitable outcomes including mainstreaming gender dimensions, youth employment and the reintegration of ex-combatants and returnee households requires appropriate social targeting measures. UNOPS possesses global experience in the development and implementation of social targeting strategies from which it can draw lessons learnt and incorporate good practices into the present project 5. Integrated results frameworks and data management methods are useful tools monitoring project performance and ensuring consistency in measuring progress. Likewise they can serve as useful tools for communication amongst broad stakeholder sets and integrated programmes. 6. UNOPS’ is uniquely positioned to facilitate partnerships with other members of the UN family, government and non-governmental partners to optimise investment synergies. 7. Development of strong partnerships with authorities at the sub-national and national levels enables timeliness of corrective measures, fluidity of partnerships and sustainability. 4. Objectives and desired outcomes The intended outcome of the project is to reduce income poverty, reinforce security and state authority in South Kivu by catalysing economic activity and service by rendering the Burhale – Shabunda road secure and passable all season. Specific Objectives: SO 1: Improve access and promote socio-economic recovery in Shabunda territory by upgrading 267km of road along the Buhale-Shabunda axis SO 2: Facilitate transition of Road Maintenance investment along the six priority roads to FONER over the first 12months of the project SO 3: Promote the equitable distribution of project outcomes and direct employment to all segments of the beneficiary population and mitigate adverse social and environmental impacts SO 4: Strengthen local capacities to monitor and coordinate programme outcomes while promoting operational synergies through regular participation and advocacy in subnational coordination fora. 5. Project scope and exclusions The project scope is defined primarily by the recommendations of the technical study of the Burhale Shabunda Axis conducted in 2011, the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) the Environment and Social Management Plan developed during the first phase of the project, and experience and lessons learnt to date. Activities covered under the project will be broken down into the following 3 components: Component 1: Road works and Contracting Strategy The elaboration of the works investment plan was carried out jointly with UNOPS, DFID and its Technical Consultant prior to signature of the agreement as shown in Annex 5.1. Implementation strategy will favour labour based methods where technical conditions permit it, otherwise mechanised methods will be applied. The works procurement and contracting strategy will aim, on the one hand, to attract medium-large scale construction firms to mitigate risks posed by weak contractor capacities observed during the first phase of the project. On the other hand, under component 2 of the project considerations will be made for developing smaller contractors’ capacities by elaborating work-packages that can be implemented by smallerscale construction firms. The procurement plan for works contracts will undergo a bi-annual review to assure value for money. Analytical criteria to be applied will concentrate on average cost/km for awarded contracts and procurement planned for the subsequent quarter to ensure the discount rate remains within acceptable thresholds. Analysis will be integrated into the reports for review by the Programme Coordination Committee on a bi-annual basis DFID may request to participate in the elaboration of scope of works and technical specifications for solicitation documents prior to issuance as well as designate a representative to participate as an observer in the bid evaluation of selected contracts. UNOPS will engage with MONUSCO engineering brigades to ensure coordination, avoid duplication, and maximise value for money. UNOPS will maintain regular contact with the Office des Routes and FONER to ensure a smooth transition from rehabilitation of road sections to maintenance. To do so UNOPS will handover of sections of 20km-30km of the road to Office des Routes as the works are completed. In preparation for the handover, UNOPS will ensure Office des Routes and FONER are regularly updated on works progress and forecasted completion dates. This will enable FONER to make provisions for the inclusion of newly handed over sections in its investment planning. Sub-Component 1.1: Contractor Capacity building Drawing from lessons from the first phase of the project, the implementation strategy foresees a component for private sector capacity development. The contractor capacity building strategy will apply a two pronged approach. On the one hand UNOPS will reinforce local contractor’s technical capacities through on the job training as specific training in setting out works using HIMO methods where applicable. On-the-Job trainings may include: Preparation of Bidding Documents: In accordance with the UNOPS Procurement Guidelines the project will conduct systematic pre-bid meeting to orient potential contractors regarding the qualification criteria defined in the solicitation documents. To optimise the quality of bids and ensure a contractor’s understanding of the technical requirements of works, evaluation criteria may include preferential weighting towards bidders’ participation in site visits. This determination of evaluation criteria will be defined by UNOPS’ procurement and contracting policies together with the scope of works under solicitation. Contractual Conditions: Building on good practices from the first phase of the Burhale-Shabunda road, other ISSSS/STAREC projects and lessons from elsewhere, the project will systematically conduct one-on-one meetings with contractors at the contracting stage to clarify contractual conditions and communications protocols to promote contractor understanding of legal obligations defined in the contracts. This will be led by the contracts engineer recruited under the project and reinforced by the Chefs de Chantiers and Project Manager in the field. Works-scheduling: Once a contract is awarded, UNOPS engineers will work alongside its contractors to elaborate viable works-schedules taking into account the contractors’ human machinery and materials inputs requirements at critical stages during the life-cycle of the contract. These will be reviewed and adapted on a periodic basis to ensure the continued feasibility of implementation timeframes. Where adjustments are required, UNOPS will ensure contractors document changes and update schedules accordingly. Measurement and Control: Integrate a monthly measurement and payment schedules into contracts for works. This will ensure close oversight of work while simultaneously ensuring frequent cash payments to avoid interruption of works for liquidity reasons. Likewise, contract schedule of price and payment may specify key control stages and testing requirements to ensure UNOPS authorisation prior to proceed to subsequent stages of construction. Setting out of Works using Labour Based Methods: Building on good practices from the first phase of the Burhale-Shabunda road, other ISSSS/STAREC projects the project will integrate training in labour based methods into the mobilisation phase of new contracts. The purpose is two-fold, on the one hand it assists contractors in better understanding the technical conditions of the contracts, on the other hand, it helps to guide contractors’ supervisors on how to organise their personnel on site, thereby contributing to improved contractor performance. Linkages with financial institutions: Experience from phase 1 and other projects implemented in the DRC has shown SMEs have difficulty accessing credit and particularly in securing bank guarantees. On a case by case basis the project will liaise with financial institutions to assist local contractors to obtain bank guarantees for works contracts. Contractor Performance Monitoring: Based on its experience throughout DRC (not limited to the east) CDOC has developed a contractor database aimed at monitoring and measuring contractor performance in the construction sector. Under the project, contractors’ performance will be recorded in the contractor registry (at the completion of works) to allow for monitoring changes in contractor capacities over time. On the other hand, UNOPS will undertake an assessment of the organizational capacities and weaknesses amongst its contractors and in consultation with FEC to propose a series of training themes to address these amongst the selected implementing partners. On the basis of this assessment UNOPS will propose recommendations for training themes will be shared with project partners as part of the first project quarterly progress report for further discussion and the elaboration of a broader, programme-wide contractor capacity building strategy. Through the Steering Committee possibilities to link-up with other programmes to strengthen local private sector capacities will be identified and explored. Component 2: Maintenance The overall programme maintenance strategy will be led by the 10-year Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (MEA) recruited separately by DFID within the first 12months of the project. In order to ensure a smooth transition during this period UNOPS will continue to support the road maintenance strategy established in phase 1 of the project through to the end of 2012 under the current project. Therefore, road maintenance activities undertaken by UNOPS will concentrate on the following: a. Extension of MoUs with provincial authorities in North and South Kivu to cover the six Phase 1 roads as well as the three new Phase 2 roads b. Handover of sections of 20km-30km of Burhale-Shabunda road to Office des Routes and FONER c. Delivering training to CLERs as sections are handed over d. Ensure timely communication of works-schedules and handover plans to Office des Routes and FONER to enable considerations for budgeting of sections in FONER’s annual investment plan e. Emergency road repairs as required Where required, DFID may request UNOPS to integrate transitional maintenance activities as part of contracts for works. This will be done on a case by case basis under the request of DFID pending the takeover of financing by FONER. Technical assistance and capacity building in road maintenance investment and implementation planning will be assumed by the MEA engaged by DFID. UNOPS will work closely with the MEA contractor once selected to ensure that the transfer of responsibilities for transitional activities are well coordinated. An investment plan for transitional support for road maintenance activities carried out by UNOPS is included as Annex 5.2. Component 3: Social and Environmental Management The project implementation strategy foresees a specific component to implement social and environmental management plans elaborated under phase 1 of the project. The scope of UNOPS’ service will be limited to the direct impacts of road construction under phases 1 and 2 of the project. A strategy for this component will be developed and agreed with DFID by the end of May 2012. The elaboration and implementation of a social and environmental management plan commenced during phase 1 of the project. Under the current project, UNOPS activities will concentrate on interventions to redress direct impacts and the implementation of transition arrangements to facilitate the take-over of responsibility for mitigation of indirect environment and social impacts by the MEA. Interventions to manage the potential direct adverse impacts of the road upgrades will include, but are not limited to the following: a. Operational support to reinforce the capacities and geographical coverage of the Comité de Concertation et de Suivi du PGES. UNOPS will provide operational support to the CCS-PGES to undertake monitoring missions and inter-provincial exchanges to share good practices and support the establishment of a CCS-PGES in North Kivu. UNOPS will undertake these activities pending the recruitment and mobilisation of the DFID selected MEA contractor. The estimated duration of UNOPS’ implementation of this activity is 6months; b. Production of a guide and training module targeting local private sector contractors and NGOs on environmental threats in road construction activities and mitigation measures; c. Implementation of a pilot project promoting the use of improved stoves. The pilot phase was launched during phase 1 of the Roads in the East programme and will continue for the first 6months under phase 2 targeting 3 pilot sites. At the end of the pilot project an evaluation of preliminary impacts will be undertaken and shared with the MEA for consideration of a possible broader implementation; d. Implementation of a pilot project promoting the use of briquettes as alternative sources of energy. The pilot phase was launched during phase 1 of the Roads in the East programme and will continue for the first 6months under phase 2 targeting 3 pilot sites. At the end of the pilot project an evaluation of preliminary impacts will be undertaken and shared with the MEA for consideration of a possible broader implementation; e. Public awareness programme on traffic safety; f. HIV/AIDS prevention and public awareness programme; g. Restoration of quarries and borrow pits at the completion of the project; h. Reforestation and re-vegetation activities include the mobilisation of reforestation committees, identification of suitable species and training in nursery and planting practices, sensitisation of local populations and the implementation of tree planting activities; i. Training on occupational health and safety to contractors, site supervisors and labourers; j. The development of a Social Inclusion strategy to promote equitable distribution of employment benefits to vulnerable groups including women, minorities and ex-combatants; k. Implementation of the social inclusion strategy to ensure targeted vulnerable groups have equitable access to employment opportunities in road-building activities, and monitoring Labour Days created disaggregating by target groups; l. Monitoring traffic volumes and transport of goods along the axis. The methodology will be developed in consultation with FONER to optimise transitional data collection arrangements at the end of the project; m. UNOPS will put in place a system of carbon accounting on UNOPS operations, and work with sub-contractors to do the same. This will include communicating data needs and data collection sheets to sub-contractors and integrating carbon reporting requirements into special conditions of works contracts. An investment plan for the management of direct environment and social impacts is included as Annex 5.3. UNOPS will also leverage its relationships with other UN Agencies to promote complementary investments in support of a medium-term environment and social protection strategy. Potential partners include UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNREDD and UNEP, ILO among others. Management of indirect and long-term impacts of the road will be assumed by the MEA engaged by DFID. UNOPS will work closely with the MEA once selected to ensure that the transfer of responsibilities for transitional activities are well coordinated. 6. Constraints and Assumptions Security remains the primary impediment to the implementation of the project. The project implementation strategy hinges largely on the assumption that MONUSCO will establish a forward operating base at Kigulube (at km121) along the road alignment. This is a critical precondition for the success of the project to facilitate security for the construction companies and their personnel working on the project as well as UNOPS and partner agencies staff for supervision and quality control purposes. On the other hand the project strategy assumes improved road conditions will have a positive effect on the security conditions in the catchment area of the road. Likewise, the anticipated improvement in security conditions encouraged by the deployment of public order security forces along the axis will not result in rent-seeking and conflict over access rights. The validity of these assumptions will be monitored through the M&E framework. Measures to redress rent-seeking and advocate for complementary deployment of trained government officials will be taken through the STAREC coordination structures at the provincial and national levels. The programmatic approach envisions under the ISSSS/STAREC frameworks foresees an important inter-relationship between the strategies’ various components as well as with complementary humanitarian and social development strategies. Central to this theory is road rehabilitation will be accompanied by subsequent investments to reinforce state authority and the delivery of humanitarian and socio-economic development activities, particularly public order and security, health and education services. Through the ISSSS/STAREC and other coordination mechanism described in the interfaces section below, project partners will advocate to leverage complementary activities to optimise project outcomes. Capacity of local contractors remains relatively low throughout the DRC and in the eastern region in particular. Experience in the eastern DRC shows most contractors fall into the small-medium range and have extremely low technical and fiduciary management capacities. The implementation strategy assumes it can attract capable mid-size contractors with the technical capacity to complete the work with a minimum of on-thejob training requirements. To do so, efforts will be made to attract larger contractors to the project by preparing work-packages that are sufficiently large to attract their interest. However considering the security situation in the target area it is unclear whether such contractors will be willing to mobilise their heavy machinery to such a volatile area. Therefore, the project strategy also plans to define smaller work-packages which can be carried out by smaller SMEs whose capacities can be developed through on the job training. It is anticipated that this combined approach will produce a viable result. 7. The user(s) and any other known interested parties The end users are the population of Shabunda Territory in South Kivu Province. 8. Interfaces a. Institutional Framework: First and foremost the project is implemented under component 3 of the Government Stabilization and Reconstruction Plan for War-Affected Areas (STAREC) framework. The STAREC coordination structure was established by Presidential Ordinance 09/051 in 2009. This provides for national level structures to give strategic direction, and provincial level structures to handle operational coordination. The STAREC Technical Secretariat, comprised of the Government Inter-Provincial Coordination team and the Stabilisation Support Unit, is responsible for supporting the effective functioning of these bodies. The International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS) represent’s the joint effort of international partners to support STAREC. Within the ISSSS, the project is implemented objective #3 Restoration and Strengthening State Authority sub-component (i) Rehabilitating key access roads. Therefore the project will be implemented within the overall coordination frameworks established for ISSSS and STAREC to ensure cohesion with these monitoring systems already in place as shown in Figure 1 below: FIGURE 1: COORDINATION STRUCTURES FOR ISSSS/STAREC President of DRC Comité de Suivi STAREC/ZSCA Prime Minister VPMs, MdP, MdI, MdD, MCIR, MdJ, MdB, MdF, CPD, Multi/Bilateral Partners Technical Secretariat Interprovincial Coordination (STAREC/ZSCA) Provincial and District Authorities International Partners Stabilisation Support Unit (SSU) CTCs (Provincial) In particular, UNOPS will work closely with SSU who coordinate all investments under the ISSSS and ensure synergies with other elements of the strategy; and with the provincial and district authorities and CTCs. UNOPS will liaise with key donor partners (such as UNDP; Netherlands, USAID; Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Spain, EU, Germany, Spain, France) and humanitarian actors to coordinate, gather feedback and work in synergy where appropriate. Likewise, UNOPS will provide monitoring and evaluation data to the monitoring and evaluation specialist embedded in the SSU to develop evidence on the impact of roads on stabilisation. b. Project Direction: To ensure sound and timely direction from key partners during the implementation of the project, a Programme Coordination Committee will be established with DFID DRC (exective), the Cellule d’Infrastructure (representing the client) and the MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit representing the consortium of implementing partners responsible for the daily implementation of the project. Other project Programme Coordination Committee members will include the Cellule Infrastructures and DFID’s other three external partners (a project management agency and a monitoring and evaluation agency). Each member of the Programme Coordination Committee will ensure, within its mandate, that the project is developing the products and results defined above. To this end, the Programme Coordination Committee will validate project implementation plans, review progress, issues and risks, and provide direction to UNOPS on alternative courses of action as required. The Programme Coordination Committee will meet on a bi-monthly basis. The project is also accountable to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction, through the Cellule Infrastructures (CI) which supports the ministry. The CI coordinates all national and provincial priority roads investments, and approves terms of reference and contractor selection. FIGURE 2: PROGRAMME COORDINATION COMMITTEE FOR THE OVERALL DFID PROGRAMME Each member of the Programme Coordination Committee will ensure, within its mandate, that the project is developing products and results in accordance with the programme’s schedule of activities and outcomes. To this end, the Programme Coordination Committee will validate project implementation plans, review progress, issues and risks, and provide direction to UNOPS on alternative courses of action as required. The Programme Coordination Committee will meet on a bi-monthly basis. Ad hoc meetings will be convened by DFID as required. UNOPS Operations Centre in DRC (CDOC) based in Kinshasa will represent UNOPS in the Programme Coordination Committee meetings. UNOPS CDOC will appoint a project team based in eastern DRC to undertake the day to day execution of the project. To capture this complex set of interfaces, the Programme Coordination Committee will articulate a stakeholder engagement plan for the overall DFID programme. This will specify the terms of the relationship with the project management agency and monitoring and evaluation agency, including how information will be shared and what information cannot be shared. This will cover information on monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social impacts, maintenance and greenhouse gas emissions. More broadly, the stakeholder engagement plan will include how to ensure that relationships with key partners are built in coordination with other programme partners, so as not to add transactions costs for government and community partners; an effective communications strategy to inform and consult with local communities; and the relationship with provincial road coordination groups, CTCs and SWG. c. Sub-National Coordination: The project is intended to benefit the population in the territories along the project road. Project sustainability will depend on the buy-in from the population in the zone of influence of the roads, who will need assurance that the roads will benefit the community. Through the implementation of the project’s Environmental and Social Management plan, UNOPS will mobilise the participation of community committees such as comités locaux de developpement or comités locaux de sécurité, chefs de secteurs, local NGOs, religious organisations and traditional chiefs (Mwamis) who represent the programme beneficiaries. UNOPS will work with entités territoriales décentralisées (ETSs) to promote coordination of project activities with local development plans and mitigate overlaps with other plans and projects in the area. UNOPS will build on their existing relationships with the provincial Ministries of Interior, Infrastructure and Public Works, Environment, the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, the Direction des Voies de Dessertes Agricoles (DVDA), the provincial governors, Office des Routes, FONER and FEC. Should Office des Routes elect to rent its equipment to the project, UNOPS will act as the interface between Office des Routes and project contractors. The project will also engage with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, Office des Routes and provincial governors to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that FARDC and PNC provide security on the roads. Through participation in provincial level ISMTs, the SSU and UNOPS will advocate to MONUSCO brigades in North and South Kivu to influence decisions on the provision of security for all DFID-funded roads under the ISSSS. II. Project approach As part of DFID DRC support to the international community’s and the GoDRC’s stabilisation plan in Eastern DRC, DFID will contribute 6,958,589£ (estimated equivalent in USD 10,705,522) to implement a second, upgrade phase of rehabilitation of 267 km of the Burhale – Shabunda road in South Kivu. The road identified is 304km in length and is the strategic link between the provincial capital, Bukavu and the territorial centre of Shabunda. Improving access to areas emerging from conflict has been identified by MONUSCO as an important stabilisation mechanism. The upgrade to the first phase of reopening this road is intended to improve economic access to isolated and war-torn areas, providing individuals and communities with an incentive to invest in peace and their futures. It is also intended to allow for MONUSCO and the GoDRC to better control the area, establish rule of law and provide access for institutions providing basic services. This project will upgrade the technical standards of the road, mitigate any direct social and environmental risks from the project and maintain it during the project period. The project requires a collaborative effort between the provincial authorities, the Office des Routes, UNOPS and MONUSCO. In particular, the rehabilitation and maintenance components of the road will be carried out in close collaboration with the Office des Routes (OdR) and the Fonds National d’Entretien Routiere (FONER), whereas MONUSCO’s military engineering battalions will be requested to provide complementary works on critical sections of the road as and when required and field missions are accompanied by military escorts. Execution of works will be carried out by local private sector contractors using a mix of labour based and mechanised construction methods as determined by the technical standards and conditions on site. The social and environmental management component of the project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation of Nature and Tourisme (MECNT), its conservation agency the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICON) and local and international NGOs as required. UNOPS is a primary implementing agency for infrastructure components of the ISSSS/STAREC and will implement the project. DFID DRC will engage Technical Assistance on a part time basis to help monitor project progress and assist in evaluating UNOPS’ performance in the implementation of the grant. The goal of this project is to contribute to stabilisation and reduced risk of conflict in Eastern DRC, namely in South Kivu. The purpose is to improve physical communication and increase trade between the capital of South Kivu Province, Bukavu, and the rich agricultural area of Shabunda. The project will favour the employment of demobilised soldiers (a minimum of 20% of the labour force) and women (a minimum of 30% of the labour force). It will also work to strengthen local private sector capacity. III. Business Case 1. Reasons to engage in the project: The social and economic impacts of improving road access are strong, as are the employment opportunities roads interventions offer, and their contributions to facilitating community recovery. Community recovery, in turn, is a core element of any stabilisation effort. The International Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC background briefing and roll-out plan frame the stabilisation effort around three axes: improved security, political inclusion and improved livelihoods or community recovery.3 As a result of conflict and failure to maintain the roads that existed before the war, many “rural areas are completely isolated and armed groups in the east have been able to move unhindered, populations have been cut-off and commerce has all but disappeared... Rebuilding roads and creating jobs in the process, expanding the transport grid and clearing corridors of checkpoints will not only destroy key profit centres of the remaining armed groups, these actions will also accelerate the economic reunification of the east, return markets to their past vibrancy and permit people to move freely.” 4 MONUSCO’s ‘roll-out plan’ identifies lack of economic development for returning populations as a driver of malnutrition, mortality and ethnic tensions which in turn could lead to entry into armed groups. Further, “with 80 percent of the population dependent on agriculture, boosting production, opening transport routes, purchasing food locally, and providing limited food aid are the fastest, most efficient ways to increase household incomes in return areas.”5 Through this project, quantifiable evidence on the links between roads investments and stabilisation can be built thereby feeding into the global body of evidence in this field. 2. Options for the Client and why UNOPS was chosen: The Donor assessed a several implementation scenarios in the development of its business case. After careful evaluation of all these options, the donor has selected UNOPS to implement the project for the following reasons: 3 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Background Briefing, (EDRM 3091507) and Roll-out Plan (EDRM 3091548) 4 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Background Briefing, (EDRM 3091507) 5 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Roll-out Plan (EDRM 3091548) Building upon the experience of the first phase: UNOPS has been implementing work on the Burhale-Shabunda road since 2009 and has in depth understanding of the technical characteristics of this road. Through the first phase of financing UNOPS has already developed relationships with government, private sector and NGO partners in South Kivu. The project team is already in place and has a deep understanding of the project needs including having been directly involved in implementation of the technical study and the Environment and Social Impact Assessment on the axis. Likewise the project team possesses detailed knowledge of the construction sector capacities in the area thereby enabling the acceleration of procurement activities for works. Technical Expertise and Global Knowledge Sharing: UNOPS DRC (and globally) possesses demonstrated experience in applying HIMO/Mechanized road construction methods and maintenance which can be leveraged in the implementation of the project. Through its communities of practice, UNOPS DRC can also draw on a global network of international engineering specialists to draw from for technical advice and identify good practices in the sector. Privileged relations with MONUSCO: as a member of the UN family UNOPS is well positioned to coordinate with MONUSCO brigades to provide security for the road works to go ahead as well as longer-term security as the next step in the ISSSS strategy once roads have been reopened. UNOPS can add value to the project through its customs immunities which have a positive cost implication. Likewise UNOPS is covered under the security umbrella of UNDSS which enables them (through its cost-sharing contributions to UNDSS) to reduce the recurrent costs of security by limiting the need to engage private security companies. Transparency and Quality Management: UNOPS has an institutional mandate globally is to provide procurement services to its partners. As such, through the organisational set up a delegation of authority will be embedded in the project’s capacities. This will enable efficiency of procurement process within the project. Similarly in 2011 UNOPS established an online partner’s centre which allows donors to have access to real time data on project performance. Finally, UNOPS is covered by UN Audit provisions thereby ensuring appropriate oversight. 3. Investment appraisal: the Investment appraisal is based on the analysis carried out by DFID as part of its business case. The investment appraisal below provides a summary of 5 main themes: (a) Institutional relationships, (b) social development, (c) economic opportunity cost, (d) Environment and Social management, and (e) Conflict and security as described below: a. Institutional Appraisal: Working on roads in eastern DRC requires collaboration with a number of stakeholders. While partnerships were developed during the first phase of the programme experience has shown that special efforts should be made to strengthen these relationships during the coming phase of the project, notably: i. Beneficiaries: emphasis on working with communities to raise awareness and ensure that the programme responds to beneficiaries’ needs and delivers equitable outcomes. The DFID Management Case sets out how we will seek to engage with communities in the zones of influence of the roads. ii. iii. iv. v. Provincial authorities: while the relationship with the provincial authorities in South Kivu is relatively sound, the sustainability of the project relies heavily on the appropriation by government partners and its integration with other interventions into provincial development plans. Of particular importance is the need to integrate the maintenance of project roads in the FONER maintenance investment plans. Specific efforts must be taken under the project to facilitate this. National authorities: The target roads are classified national priority roads which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction (MITPR). During the first phase of the programme collaboration has taken place with the Cellule Infrastructure, which supports MITPR in monitoring overall investments in priority roads. This collaboration should be strengthened during the second phase to promote operational and investment synergies. Likewise, specific efforts to engage with FONER at the national level will be required to advocate for integration of project roads in maintenance investment plans. Civil society and humanitarian actors. Building links with NGOs will be crucial to securing their assistance in sensitising the population to the use and maintenance of the roads. For this to be effective the project will need to map civil society interventions in the zones of influence to facilitate synergies where possible. Likewise, efforts must be made to engage non-governmental partners such as the provincial representative of FEC, religious organisations (i.e.catholic church), key CSO and traditional chiefs (Mwamis). Public Order and Security: The programme roads align with the ISSSS areas of operation, and are known to be the areas where many of the former rebel groups used to operate. While these groups have been integrated into the FARDC, the chain of command of groups such as CNDP and Mayi Mayi retain a significant degree of independence in the way they operate. Therefore, the success or failure of the programme will rely on the level of buy-in and interest these integrated forces and FARDC have in the building of the roads. We will therefore need the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works and Rehabilitation and Office des Routes to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that FARDC and PNC provide security on the roads. b. Social development appraisal: The following potential social benefits of the programme for the most poor and vulnerable have been identified: i. ii. iii. In the short-term access to services will be improved and local populations will have improved access to income through short term employment opportunities In the medium term community organisations, SMEs and provincial stakeholders capacities to guide and oversee development processes will be strengthened In the long-term the spill-over effect of road improvements and community empowerment will lead to improved service availability and improved access to markets It is reasonable to expect that roads will help facilitate the delivery of social outcomes in the long-term but short-term gains beyond those linked to direct employment will be limited, particularly for the poor and most vulnerable. c. Economic appraisal: as part of its business case DFID undertook an economic appraisal of several priority roads under the ISSSS/STAREC plan. Based on that analysis, the economic internal rates of return (EIRR) for all four roads are estimated to be strong, ranging from 17% to 20% (with an average of 19%). The net present value (NPV) of benefits minus costs is positive, totalling $6.35m for the four roads at a 12% discount rate. d. Environment and Social risk appraisal: an Environmental and Social Impact assessment was carried out during the first phase of the project (in 2010/2011). The ESIA determined the roads are expected to lead to negative impacts on the biophysical environment will be major to moderate unless well managed. The key risks include: - Increased use and trade of charcoal and wood for fuel Increased consumption and trade of bushmeat Resumption of illicit or poorly managed artisanal mining Weak capacity to manage the nearby national park By contrast, the ESIA also identified a number of possible benefits provided by the re-opened roads, including: - Participation of local and indigenous populations in management PNKB Creation and support of an environmental education program Improving access to drinking water Broader sustainable development of the region Other anticipated environmental and social impacts identified include: - Emergence of informal taxes being imposed - increased presence of both armed groups and security institutions, - increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, sexual exploitation - increased road traffic deaths and injuries. The project will take explicit steps to manage the potential adverse impacts through the implementation of environment and social management plan which also foresees measure to capitalise on opportunities identified by the ESIA. e. Conflict and security appraisal: The project aims at playing an important role in improving security for communities (though we need to test this theory through the evaluation element of the programme) but also present a number of risks that will need to be managed proactively. The target road will be constructed in an environment characterised by the presence of a number of armed groups who prey on local communities with relative impunity. In addition, the roads will pass through areas where there is an active mineral trade of which much is informal and/or illegal and provides economic benefits to armed groups and, potentially, FARDC and others. The assumption is that by building/upgrading of the roads security services (MONUSCO, PNC) will be able to better serve the populations in isolated areas. Upgraded roads would allow peacekeepers to patrol and secure larger areas around their bases and to react more quickly to security incidents and threats to civilians. However, experience has shown that improved road conditions also provide an enabling environment for state security institutions and other actors to extract illegal taxes through establishing road blocks and impeding traffic. Armed groups may equally exploit improved road conditions to engage in banditry along the road if their control of areas is successfully challenged by the state. Finally, it will be important to ensure any existing tensions between communities along the road are not exacerbated by rehabilitation efforts. Instead, opportunities should be taken to improve social cohesion through ensuring that equitable benefits from the roads’ construction reach all communities, and that complementary peace-building activities are undertaken where appropriate. 4. The Risk: A detailed risk management matrix is provided in section VIII below, however the main risks include, but are not limited to the following: a. Security situation in the project area remains volatile. While the project can mitigate security risks to a point with MONUSCO support the duration of the mission’s mandate a continuous presence is essential in the medium term to facilitate site access, security of equipment and labour as well as populations living in the catchment area. b. Environmental and social risks have been identified during the first phase of the project. Potential threats identified include (a) increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, (b) Increased trade in bushmeat from protected species, illegal timber and uncertified minerals. This trade poses risks to the environment and the climate in itself, but also provides economic benefits to armed groups and, potentially, FARDC and other actors, (c) Negative impacts upon people’s livelihoods, since the access provided by the roads may make the land in the vicinity and its natural resources more attractive to powerful individuals or groups and result in attempts to capture such land and/or resources etc. The mitigation measures recommended in the environmental and social impact assessment will continue to be implemented during the current phase of financing in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, ICCN and UNESCO. An important budget has been included for mitigating measures. c. The weakness of local private sector contractors is a serious risk to the project implementation. Local contractors with the capacity to mobilise machinery and skilled labour are relatively limited. The private sector will receive training in labour based approaches, bidding for contracts and have access to machinery purchased under the project where necessary. This will ensure that private sector capacity meets the demands of the project. d. Capacity constraints of local institutions: experience from the first phase has shown a willingness on the part of provincial authorities to participate and support the project. However thus far this willingness has not translated into full financial and operational engagement. Of particular concern is the capacity of FONER to integrate the target roads into its maintenance investment planning and failure to do so will reduce the durability of the roads. A detailed description of all the risks identified and their mitigation strategy is shown in section VII Risk Management Strategy below. 5. Linking of products and/or income to the strategic objectives of partners: DFID: The project is in line with DFID DRC Operational Plan for 2011-2015, annex 3: Planned intervention: Scale up national roads programme including elements of the national stabilisation and reconstruction plan for Eastern DRC. UNOPS: The project is in line with UNOPS Goal #3 Rebuilding of Peace and Stability after Conflict and Implementation Support Practice #1 physical infrastructure 6. Benefits: Expected benefits include but are not limited to (a) Upgrade 267 km road in south Kivu and increase in the weight of goods transported along the BurhaleShabunda axis, (b) deliver broader development and stabilisation outcomes, including physical access to basic services and markets, (c) creation of short-term employment opportunities for local populations, including for women and demobilised soldiers, and (d) promote the sustainability of a maintenance system for provincial roads that will provide lessons for elsewhere. Draft project performance indicators are defined in the Logical Framework attached, though this will be refined in the first 3months of the project based on the findings of a baseline study. IV. Project Management Team Structure The project management and oversight structures can be divided into three parts. Parts 1: the coordination frameworks established for ISSSS and STAREC and 2: the Programme Coordination Committee established specifically established for DFID’s overall investment programme are shown in section I.7: Interfaces above. Part 3, the day to day management structure of the project implemented by UNOPS will draw on the existing operational capacity of UNOPS’ teams in Goma and Bukavu through the organisational structure shown in Figure 3 below. FIGURE 3: PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF UNOPS IMPLEMENTED PROJECT Operations Centre Director (CDOC) CDOC Support Services Procurement Human Resources Logistics IT Finance Programmes Humanitarian and Post Conflict Durable Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Procurement and Management Support Services Regional Coordinator (Marc Empain) Project Manager Principal Engineer (Frederic Fanou) HR Procurement Officer + Assistant Assistant Admin/Finances (Aimée) Chef de Chantier (Surya) Environmental Specialist (Adama) Contracts Engineer Assistant Logistique (Dominique) Chef de Chantier (Samy) ESM Assistant PSO Logistique Finance (x2) Chauffeurs/ Mécanicien (6/1) Chef de Chantier (Etienne) Security Monitoring and Reporting Cleaner Superviseur Travaux (Ephraim) Superviseur Travaux (Bernard) Part time Goma Based Superviseur Travaux (to be recruited) Technical Assistance 1. Bukavu Based Role Descriptions DFID: As the donor for the project DFID is the chair of the Programme Coordination Committee. DFID will monitor the implementation of the overall project outcomes and provide direction to UNOPS and project partners on deviations to the workplans as required. UNOPS: UNOPS is the main implementing partner for phase 2 of the Burhale-Shabunda road rehabilitation. As such UNOPS is responsible for the implementation of road works, transitional maintenance strategies, the social and environmental management plan for direct impacts of road construction activities, contractor training coordination with key partners. UNOPS will share planning of activities and provide regular updates on project progress to the Programme Coordination Committee and ISSSS/STAREC coordination structures on a regular basis. It will coordinate with other members of the Programme Coordination Committee as well as external partners to promote operational effectiveness and investment synergies with other programmes. A field based project team is in place in Bukavu, South Kivu which will be responsible for the day to day implementation of the project activities. A coordination and support team, led by the Regional Coordinator is located in Goma, North Kivu and will be responsible for Coordination with ISSSS/STAREC structures on a regional basis, and the provision of the full range of support services to the project: procurement, finance, HR, logistics, reporting and communication. Overall quality management and oversight of the project is led by the UNOPS Operations Centre in DRC (CDOC), based in Kinshasa. The project is implemented under the umbrella of the Humanitarian and Post Conflict cluster with technical lines of reporting for support services under the guidance of the Head of Support Services. SSU: The MONUSCO Stabilisation Support Unit (SSU) is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the overall inputs of the ISSSS and its support to STAREC. The SSU will engage with donors and project partners to build synergies and leverage in other programmes to the zones of influence of the roads. This will include: Influencing South and North Kivu brigades on the provision of security to allow project implementation; Promoting integration of ISSSS activities with local and provincial development plans, Identifying synergies with other ISSSS activities; Facilitating consultations with communities on how ISSSS activities will help deliver their plans; Facilitating dialogue with Chefs de Secteurs around the equitable distribution of benefits and women’s employment; Coordinating with the Logistics Cluster and humanitarian partners to harmonize ISSSS plans with humanitarian road priorities. 6. Cellule d’Infrastructures: The Cellule Infrastructures supports MITPR to coordinate road investments throughout the country. The CI’s role in the project will be to approve terms of reference and contractor selection, represent the MITPR in monitoring the performance of the project and, where relevant, participate in joint technical monitoring missions to assure the quality of construction works in the field. Provincial Ministry of Environment: This Ministry will monitor the implementation of the Environment and Social Management Plan through its role as chair of the Comité de Concertation et de Suivi du PGES. Office des Routes: OdR is a key partner in the implementation and supervision of road rehabilitation and maintenance works. FONER: FONER will take over implementation of maintenance of project roads. These will be included in FONER’s investment plans and ensure routine maintenance works. Technical Consultant: DFID will engage a technical consultant to advise on progress of project performance. The Technical Consultant will undertake quarterly missions in the field and in Kinshasa and provide the Programme Coordination Committee with reports on 6 Currently in draft. Draft Strategie D’Access, OCHA progress against project workplans, observations on quality of works and make recommendations on corrective actions. Monitoring and evaluation agency (MEA): The MEA selected by DFID will have the dual function of implementing partner and technical oversight. On the one hand, the MEA is responsible for the implementation of all indirect social and environmental impact mitigation measures and the provision of technical assistance to FONER in the integration of ISSSS/STAREC roads into its multi-year investment planning. On the other hand, the MEA will monitor the IPs implementation of direct social and environmental impact mitigation measures as well as consolidating data collected on the projects outputs, outcomes and impacts. V. MONITORING AND EVALUATION STRATEGY 1. Monitoring: a. Strategic Monitoring and Alignment: Monitoring of alignment with strategic priorities will take place through the existing ISSSS/STAREC coordination structures as shown in FIGURE 1 above. The Comité de Suivi is conducted under the overall supervision of the President. Comité de Suivi Meetings take place on a quarterly basis and are composed of line ministries, international partners and implementing agencies, where required. Likewise, strategic monitoring of all ISSSS/STAREC take place in the CTCs chaired by the provincial governors. b. Performance Monitoring: Monitoring of overall project performance will take place through the Programme Coordination Committee as shown in FIGURE 2 above. The Programme Coordination Committee will monitor and assess the performance of UNOPS’s (and other Implementing Partners’) implementation of all project components including financial progress. Programme Coordination Committee meetings will take place on a bi-monthly basis in Kinshasa by teleconference with Goma/ Bukavu. c. Impact/Outcome monitoring: DFID’s programme has a strong focus on monitoring implementation according to plans which will apply to the present project. Performance indicators will focus on improving outcomes and impacts rather than “hardware” or outputs. Likewise, monitoring will concentrate on measuring progress against intended outcomes. For this, the primary monitoring tool is the Project’s Logical Framework and regular and consistent data collection on the indicators defined in the logical framework is required. Outcome monitoring will be largely led by the MEA selected by DFID during the first year of the project. However to ensure a smooth transition and handover to the MEA, UNOPS together with its partners will collect and store this data and conduct regular analysis for review of the Programme Coordination Committee. Determination of data collection methods will be in line with the recommendations of a baseline study and the ESIA and partners, where required, will be identified based on their relative strengths and local knowledge. d. Technical monitoring: The technical monitoring of construction works will take place through a 3tiered system: - Daily supervision of works will be carried out by the project technical team concentrated in Bukavu, Shabunda and Kigulube; Internal technical and project management controls will be carried out by the regional coordinator based in Goma undertaking frequent field missions; External technical and project management oversight is foreseen by DFID and its Technical Consultant and/or the Cellule d’Infrastructure on a periodic basis; e. Carbon accounting: DFID has committed to measuring the carbon footprint of the project. UNOPS will provide carbon footprint data on UNOPS operations, and work with sub-contractors to provide project data to the MEA. This will include communicating data collection sheets to sub-contractors, quality assuring their returns and providing them to the MEA. 2. Evaluation: The evaluation framework of project activities in a three-tiered approach: First, preliminary outcomes will be evaluated on the basis of key performance indicators specified in the logical framework. Data will be collected by UNOPS and its partners in the field and shared with the MEA for consolidation with other IPs. Secondly, the project will be evaluated within the context of the ISSSS/STAREC frameworks. This will be led by the SSU with inputs from UNOPS and other ISSSS/STAREC partners and is aimed at evaluating the impact of the project on key stabilisation and peacebuilding outcomes. Finally, DFID’s multi-year, multi-roads programme includes a baseline study, evaluability study and theory-based evaluation, which will be carried out under a monitoring and evaluation agency contract issued directly by DFID. VI. QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The project’s Quality Management Strategy will be focused on key levels of project implementation as follows: Procurement Assurance: In accordance with UNOPS procurement guidelines all procurement actions with an estimated value of 50,000USD must be reviewed and precleared by a procurement advisor prior to issuance of solicitation documents. Contracts with an accumulative award value of 250,000USD must be pre-cleared by a procurement advisor and recommendation for award is issued by the UNOPS’ HQ Contracts and Property Committee (HQCPC). On an ad hoc basis, upon the request of DFID, specified technical documents may be reviewed by a designated representative of DFID prior publication. Fiduciary management and auditing: Fiduciary management and auditing framework for project funding will be carried out in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations. UNOPS results-based budgeting system (ATLAS) allows for monitoring financial progress in line with the project components described above. Financial reporting will form an integral part of the project’s quarterly progress reporting and will undergo review by the Programme Coordination Committee. Meanwhile, on a continuous basis, DFID will have real-time access to information on financial performance of DFID funding contributions through UNOPS’ online Partner’s Centre. Quality Assurance of Works: Supervision of works will be carried out in line with UNOPS’ standard supervision practices. Contractor technical performance will be supervised onsite national engineers who are responsible for issuing orders to proceed from construction phases and physical measurement of works. Measurement sheets will be reviewed against previous progress and validated by the Principal Engineer also responsible for validating payment invoices. Validated measurement sheets and certificates of payment/invoices are submitted for final review and approval by the Regional Coordinator prior to the release of payments to the contractors. Assurance of Environment and Social Management: All sub-projects implemented under the Environment and Social Management Plan will be monitored by the “Comité de Concertation et de Suivi du PGES” (CCS-PGES) under the leadership of the Provincial Ministry of Environment. This advisory and monitoring committee will review and validate the Social and Environmental Management Plan as well of the proposed Scope of Works/Terms of Reference of activities under the ESMP prior to implementation. Where formal solicitation methods are applied, CCS-PGES members will be invited to participate in the evaluation of proposals (as observers) for ESMP sub-projects. As a second tier of quality management of direct Environment and Social impacts DFID’s MEA will also have a role in monitoring and evaluating the overall impact of DFID’s programme. Project Planning and Implementation: The UNOPS Eastern Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of all aspects of the project and will control the overall management of the project and its quality and fiduciary management. The Project Manager/Principal Engineer will lead day to day management including the implementation of the environment and social management programme band will report to the Eastern Coordinator on progress. The suggested approach takes into consideration the specificities of each service line, sub-component and divisions of responsibilities. Compliance and Corporate Assurance: Progress on the UNOPS implemented project will be overseen by CDOC Sr. Management and will be implemented under the guidance of the Humanitarian and Post-Conflict Unit. Under the guidance of the Head of Support Services, various support services leads (finance, HR, Procurement, Logistics, Communications etc.), will undertake periodic reviews of the project’s compliance with UNOPS’ ODs and IAs to ensure compliance with UNOPS’ financial rules and regulations. Monitoring of quality management will also be supported by the in-house M&E officer in order to raise issues and ensure compliance with UNOPS’ policies and procedures. VII. Configuration Management Strategy 1. Due Diligence Assessment (DDA): To validate the robustness of its systems at the country level, including the capacity and capability of UNOPS to oversee the work of third parties who they sub-contract, DFID will undertake a Due Diligence Assessment (DDA) of the UNOPS Operations Centre in DRC. The DDA will be carried out by a representative of DFID covering the following main themes and make recommendations to strengthen controls related to the management of DFID funds where appropriate: 1. Governance 2. Organisation and Staff a. Qualified Personnel b. Fixed Responsibilities 3. Procedural Controls a. Written Procedures b. Segregation of Duties c. Safeguards over Assets and Other safeguards 4. Flow of Funds 5. Reliable Accounting System The above DDA shall take place within the first 6 months of the project. This shall not constitute an external audit on the basis of the United Nations single audit principle. Likewise, cost of the DDA as well as travel and security arrangements in DRC for the DFID representatives shall be borne by DFID. UNOPS will provide updates on the implementation of the DDA recommendations through the reporting mechanisms established under the project. 2. Procurement for goods, Service and Works: Procurement of all works, equipment and services under the project will be acquired according to the rules and procedures of UNOPS. To do this, a procurement plan will first be developed by UNOPS within the first month of the project which will become an integral part of this Project Initiation Document. The Procurement Plan (PPM) outlines the breakdown of works, services and goods contracts foreseen to be issued during the lifecycle of the project along with an anticipated timeline for its implementation. In the elaboration of technical specifications/scope of works and payment schedules for solicitation documents, the DFID Project Manager and/or the Technical Consultant may request to participate in the elaboration or review prior to launch of procurement process. Discussions with the donor and its technical representative on technical specifications/scope of works will be duly documented for the project files. Likewise DFID Project Manager and/or the Technical Consultant may request to participate or request the participation of government (OdR/Cellule d’Infrastructure) or other civil society counterparts in the bid evaluation stage. In accordance with UNOPS procurement guidelines such requests will be accommodated whereby external stakeholders will participate as observers to the process. 3. Fiduciary management and auditing: Fiduciary management and auditing framework for project funding will be carried out in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations. UNOPS will incorporate financial progress reports in USD into quarterly reporting in line with results-based budgeting system (ATLAS). All financial accounts and statements shall be subject exclusively to the internal and external auditing procedures laid down in the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules. Under the United Nations’ single audit principle, the United Nations Board of Auditors has the exclusive right to carry out external audit of the accounts and statements of United Nations organizations, including UNOPS. UNOPS shall provide at least annual financial statements on the Project’s receipts and expenditures, duly certified by the UNOPS Comptroller or his/her delegate. 4. Logistics, Operational Security and Assets management: All aspects related to Logistics, operational security and assets management under the project will be carried out under the framework of UNOPS policies and procedures. Logistical and assets management guidelines are provided in the Field Operations Manuel and new IPSAS assets management requirements. Disposal of all assets purchased under K2 project and under phases 1 and 2 of the project will be carried out in accordance with UNOPS assets management policy in consultation with DFID. As part of the UN system, all UNOPS activities are carried out under the umbrella of UNDSS and Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS) guidelines. 5. Human Resources: UNOPS will organize the recruitment of personnel required to implement the project, according to the needs identified in strict compliance with rules and procedures of UNOPS. Project partners may request, or be invited, to participate as observers in the recruitment of key international project personnel to ensure transparency and quality assurance of the selection process. All personnel recruited by UNOPS shall enjoy the rights and benefits applicable to the contract which will be beneficial and, conversely, will be held with the obligations under the Convention (respect for working hours, the moral and security rules of the United Nations). 6. Office Structures and Locations: The project will be implemented through a three tiered structure. Overall programme management and oversight will be provided by the UNOPS CDOC office in Kinshasa. Coordination, strategic direction, procurement support and fiduciary management will be provided by the regional coordination office located in Goma. Day to day implementation, planning, and works supervision will be carried out by provincial office in Bukavu and its sub-offices, one in Shabunda and a second is foreseen to be established in Kigulube once MONUSCO has installed a prolonged presence in the area. Working conditions in all UNOPS project offices must comply with MOSS requirements on the basis of UNDSS recommendations. VIII. Risk Management Strategy UNOPS will maintain a risk log throughout the implementation of the project and monitored by the Programme Coordination Committee. The risk log will be updated regularly and submitted for the review of the Programme Coordination Committee in accordance with the meeting schedule. However, as new risks emerge and/or significant variances in the risk impacts are observed, UNOPS will inform the Programme Coordination Committee through the presentation of exception reports. RISK MATRIX External/ Internal External Risk Deterioration of security conditions Likelihood H Impact Mitigating actions H The project implementation strategy hinges largely on the assumption that MONUSCO will establish a forward operating base at Kigulube (at km121). This is a critical precondition for the success of the project to facilitate security for the construction companies and their personnel working on the project as well as UNOPS and partner agencies staff for supervision and quality control purposes. Residual risk Medium Negotiate provision of security with MONUSCO before programme implementation begins. Explore possibility of negotiating MoUs on the provision of security with the permanent elements of the MONUSCO brigades. The project will establish a sub-office alongside the MONUSCO base to ensure security of personnel and equipment. Likewise contractors will be expected to establish forward operating bases to store machinery along key points along the road. Security and insurance articles of works contracts will be strictly enforced. External Intervention has adverse climate and environment and social impacts M H An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been completed for the BurhaleShabunda road. The project implementation strategy foresees a specific component to implement social and environmental management plans representing 15% of the works budget. Activities under this component commenced under phase 1 of the project and will continue and be expanded during phase 2. Likewise, UNOPS will collaborate with other UN Agencies to promote complementary Medium / low investments in support of a medium-term environment and social protection strategy. Potential partners include UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNREDD and UNEP, among others. In parallel, DFID intends to engage a contractor specifically to with the Ministry of Environment and other key governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as communities over a 10-year period. The “monitoring and evaluation agency” will be tasked with reviewing the ESIAs and SEMPs and establish, implement and adapt to ground realities a credible management plan. External Road Closures due to Extreme Weather Conditions M H In its current condition the climatic conditions in South Kivu together with the topography and geological materials pose a serious threat to road closures caused by landslides and quagmires. A routine and continuous maintenance system will cope with all but the most extreme of climatic impacts. The programme will build the capacity of government to take on the financing and management of a sustainable maintenance system while including provisions to provide emergency interventions to redress unforeseen road closures caused by extreme weather conditions. Medium/ low External Intervention worsens conflict or promotes rent-seeking M H The ESIA identifies rent-seeking, natural resource exploitation, and access conflicts as risks to the project. The SEMP foresees interventions to monitor and mitigate these risks and develop an effective communications strategy to inform and consult with local communities. Likewise, measures to promote equitable benefits for the different communities along the roads are considered in the SEMP. Medium/ low Meanwhile, project partners will collectively advocate to MONUSCO to ensure that complementary ISSSS security plans are delivered to manage any risks to communities. The effect of these efforts will be monitored through the M&E strategy which foresees the SSU leading the monitoring of rent-seeking activities and their impact upon economic activities and community security. External Corruption Risks M M Corruption risks are broadly defined at all levels of the project, from procurement to expropriation of project benefits by powerful stakeholders. Corruption risks related to procurement for works are addressed through the application of UNOPS’ procurement procedures coupled with periodic market rate analysis for materials and services. Medium/ low Contractor performance will be recorded in a contractor database thereby enabling the project to weed-out underperforming contractors. Exploitation of project benefits by influential stakeholders will be addressed through the involvement of the Comite de Concertation de PGES and by reinforcing the capacities of local community groups (carried out by the MEA) to monitor project activities. Internal Lack private sector capacity of External State and NGO service providers do not respond to improved access and security M M The project implementation strategy recognizes the need to integrate private sector capacity development into its standard practices. The implementation strategy for this component will include the provision of on-the-job training to UNOPS’ contractors, an assessment of the training needs in the local market, and recommendations for a broader Capacity Building strategy. Medium/ low L M The programme includes a significant influencing element to leverage in service provision and other programmes. Low Project partners will advocate through various frameworks and programmes to promote synergies between the project and other humanitarian and stability interventions. IX. Communication Management Strategy The communication management strategy is linked with the monitoring and evaluation systems agreed under the project as well as the overall DFID programme. Progress reports will be submitted to the Programme Coordination Committee on a quarterly basis for review and directions as required. Reports will assess progress against key performance indicators and targets set by the agreed project workplan and reviewed by the Programme Coordination Committee on a quarterly basis. In the event that situations affecting project activities emerge in the periods between Programme Coordination Committee meetings, UNOPS will present board members with an exception report to raise key issues, propose corrective actions and request board members’ direction on how to proceed. Programme Coordination Committee meeting decisions and directives will be documented in the meeting minutes which will be archived in line with UNOPS document management policy. Simultaneously reports and information on project activities will be share at the provincial and national levels through the STAREC/ISSSS Coordination Structures. Through this communication portal information on project activities will be integrated with overall ISSSS/STAREC programme communication strategies, including reporting to the Comite de Suivi and potentially the UN Security Council. Communication at this level is managed by the SSU and consolidated by a monitoring and evaluation specialist with the responsibility for integrating analysis of project activities with progress towards overall ISSSS/STAREC intended outcomes. Reports will also be shared with the MEA responsible for overall management of the monitoring and evaluation of DFID’s programme. DFID Project Manager Programme UNOPS Country Coordination Director Committee MONUSCO, SSU Comité de Concertation et de Suivi du PGES STAREC Ministry of Environment Office des Routes Cellule d’Infrastructure UNOPS Head of Programmes UNOPS/CDOC/HPCU Risk Log Issues Log Exception Reports Quarterly Progress Reports A – As required / updated Q – Quarterly Logical Framework Stakeholder Information Requirements Programme Coordination Committee Minutes 2. Q Q Q Q Q A A Q Q Q Q Q A A A A A A A A A Q A A Q A Q Q A A A A A Q Q A A A A A A A A Q A A A A A Q Q Q A A A A A Q Q X. Project Plan The project is implemented over a 24 months period through 4 main service lines. The project activities will be implemented according to the indicative schedule shown in Annex 5. XI. Project Controls 1. Monitor progress: - Project Logical Framework - Baseline studies - Quarterly ISSSS/STAREC highlights reports to the SSU and DFID (format provided by SSU) - Quarterly progress report (presented to Programme Coordination Committee) - Exception Reports (to Programme Coordination Committee as required - Annual reports - Annual Certified Financial Statements 2. Review performance plans and options for coming stages: - Quarterly Interim Financial Statements - Quarterly report to the Programme Coordination Committee 3. Detect problems: - Maintain an Issues and Risk Log - Produce exception reports to the Programme Coordination Committee as required. 4. Initiate corrective action: - In consultation with project partners DFID, SSU and Office des Routes as required 5. Authorise further work: - Programme Coordination Committee executive (donor) to authorise progression between stages through Meeting Minutes based on performance review presented to the donor. XII. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: DFID Business Case Attachment 2: Logical Framework – Will be included as an integral part of the PID upon finalisation and integration with DFID’s Overall Roads in the East Programme Logical Framework and Attachment 3: Detailed Project Budget Attachment 4: Summary ATLAS Budget Attachment 5: Investment Plan Attachment 6: Project Workplan MOU International & Multilateral Model Humanitarian and Post Conflict Unit CDOC UNOPS P.O. Box 2695 2100 Copenhagen Denmark Tel : +45 35 46 75 00 Fax : +45 35 46 75 01 E-mail : info@unops.org To learn more visit www.unops.org For more information on this document please contact the following people: 1 MOU International & Multilateral Model Marc Empain PM and Eastern Coordinator +243-(0)99-332-8267 marce@unops.org Frederic Fanou Project Manager +243-(0)99-541-6665 fredericf@unops.org Sonja Varga Programme Specialist +243-(0)81-191-9137 sonjav@unops.org 2 MOU International & Multilateral Model Annex 6 : DFID Business Case Business Case and Intervention Summary Intervention Summary Title: Roads in the East of DRC Phase 2 What support will the UK provide? The UK will provide £19.5m over 10 years to build and maintain roads in eastern DRC in support of the Government of DRC’s and the UN mission – MONUSCO’s – stabilisation plan. Why is UK support required? DRC has extremely limited infrastructure, which hampers progress towards many of the MDGs. Out of the core road network of 152,400 km, only 5-10% is in fair to good condition. The rest is impassable and in need of rehabilitation. Conflict persists in eastern DRC, and roads are a key element of the stabilisation effort. To tackle this problem, the UK will provide support to re-open the Government of DRC’s and MONUSCO’s priority strategic roads, ensure a sustainable maintenance system is in place to safeguard them in the longer term, and manage the environmental and social impacts of the roads. We will also work with other donors, MONUSCO and the Government of DRC to leverage in other activities and interventions to ensure that the conditions are in place for the roads to lead to increased incomes and improved security. The road works and management of direct environmental and social impacts will be implemented over a three-year period by UNOPS and a private sector project manager, in coordination with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction and MONUSCO. UNOPS and the project manager will sub-contract works and projects to local private sector and non-governmental organisations. A 10-year contract will also be let for overseeing the maintenance of the roads, managing the long-term and indirect environmental and social impacts of the roads, and monitoring and evaluating the programme. What are the expected results? Our support is ultimately intended to achieve – including by leveraging in other activity to ensure all the necessary conditions are in place – reduced income poverty and improved security in North and South Kivu. This impact will be delivered by catalysing economic activity and service provision through secure, all-weather, climate resilient roads. The outputs our support will deliver are: The building or upgrading of 628 km of roads A sustainable maintenance system which ensures the long-term maintenance of the roads Equitable employment generated by road works and maintenance Mitigation of the negative direct and indirect impacts of the roads Leveraging in of government presence and other DFID and donor programming We will determine whether these results have been achieved by linking payment to 3 MOU International & Multilateral Model performance. Programme design incorporates a significant monitoring and evaluation plan which includes a baseline study, an evaluability study and a theory-based evaluation, as well as a dedicated research element. 4 MOU International & Multilateral Model Strategic Case A. Context and need for a DFID intervention Roads in DRC Extremely limited infrastructure in DRC makes access to markets and basic services almost impossible, limiting progress towards many of the MDGs. DRC has only 2,800 km of largely unconnected paved roads, in a country two-thirds the size of western Europe. This is 2% of the total road network, compared to a sub-Saharan African average of 16%.7 Out of the core road network of 152,400 km, only 5-10% is in fair to good condition. The rest is impassable and in need of rehabilitation.8 The Government of DRC has identified 15,800 km of national roads as ‘extra high priority’. 9 This figure does not include provincial or rural roads. Using a conservative figure of $40,000 per km as an average cost,10 investment of $6.3 billion would be required to deliver these roads alone. Although coordination of donor investments in the sector is weak and there is therefore no clear picture of total donor investments, we estimate the total to be under $3 billion. The scale of need means that although a number of donors – including China, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, the World Bank and the EU – are active in the roads sector, supply cannot meet demand. DFID DRC’s Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) committed to promoting economic growth and wealth creation and helping build peace, stability and democracy. We have committed in the BAR and Operational Plan (OP) to improve access to markets and social services along roads rehabilitated and maintained by DFID, and to promote regional trade. To this end, DFID DRC agreed to provide up to £47m of new finance to the roads sector from 2011 to 2015. Although this equates to only 1.6% of existing donor commitments, further DFID investment would have a significant impact given the funding gap DRC currently faces. Roads in eastern DRC Conflict persists in eastern DRC, and roads are a key element of the stabilisation effort. The isolation of populations in the east exposes people to major security and human rights risks, while the reconnecting of these populations to security services, basic services and economic opportunities is among the highest priorities of the Government of DRC and the UN mission (MONUSCO). In 2008 the Government/MONUSCO Stabilisation and Reconstruction Plan for Eastern DRC (STAREC) identified six strategic axes in North and South Kivu that were critical to stabilisation. MONUSCO developed an International Security and Stabilisation Support Strategy (ISSSS) based on the STAREC plan. The ISSSS has 7 Develop infrastructure to develop Africa, James Kathuri, The African Executive, August 2010: www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=173 8 World Bank Project Appraisal Document, Multi-modal Transport Project, June 2010 9 Documented in, for example, the minutes of the first Groupe Thématique d’Infrastructures et Transport meeting in June 2011, EDRM 3078079. 10 The World Bank/DFID ProRoutes programme supports the national priority roads programme. Costs/km were re-evaluated two years into the project and revised upwards to $44,000/km counting works and maintenance alone, or $68,000/km including all supporting activities such as institutional capacity building and environmental management. EDRM 3041461 5 MOU International & Multilateral Model recently been reviewed to identify the priorities for 2011/12.11 The revised plan identifies two further priority roads in addition to those in the original stabilisation plan.12 In eastern DRC, a number of donors have supported the ISSSS. Nevertheless, there are funding gaps for the delivery of the original ISSSS, and funding has not been secured for the two priority roads identified in the revised strategy. Sustainable road maintenance is an essential part of investment in the sector in DRC, and especially in the heavily forested east of the country. The environment is such that roads can deteriorate rapidly – in as little as one year – if they are not maintained on an ongoing basis. DFID’s experience with the Kisangani-Ubundu road, which had to be rehabilitated a second time as there was no long-term maintenance system in place, is an example of the specific challenges of working in the sector in the DRC context. Yet the literature suggests that $1 of investment in maintenance in sub-Saharan Africa can save $4 of spending to rehabilitate roads that have deteriorated.13 Justification for DFID intervention DFID is well-placed to deliver impact in the roads sector. We already have a broad portfolio of roads interventions. We support the national roads strategy through a World Bank/DFID multi-donor trust fund, ProRoutes, which will build or upgrade 2,176 km of ‘extra high priority’ roads by 2016. We have also recently finished interventions to build/upgrade rural roads and a priority road from Kisangani to Ubundu. The first phase of ‘Roads in the East of DRC’ began in 2009 in support of the ISSSS. Of the six axes identified in the stabilisation plan, we funded the build/upgrade of the BurhaleShabunda road as well as the maintenance of the other axes. This existing intervention in eastern DRC makes scaling up feasible, since we have already established relationships with relevant partners and laid the groundwork for a second phase. Moreover, Roads in the East has had a significant impact already. The Burhale-Shabunda road reopened for the first time in over 20 years, reconnecting Shabunda to humanitarian traffic. To sustain this investment and upgrade access to commercial vehicles, and therefore to goods and services, further investment is required. A number of interventions funded in DRC in general and under the ISSSS plan in particular have not yet set up effective and sustainable maintenance systems, meaning that the results achieved to date are at risk. DFID is leading the field in building the capacity of government to put a sustainable maintenance system in place to ensure that the development and poverty reduction benefits of roads are not undermined. This is a key output of our Roads in the East programme, through which we have gained agreement for the first time in DRC that the national roads fund will finance the maintenance of priority provincial roads and provincial government will implement the maintenance programme using local SMEs and labour. Rationale for further investment in roads in eastern DRC In line with the context and justification set out above, DFID DRC wishes to extend its 11 ISSSS/STAREC Priority Plans 2011–2012 (EDRM 3035607) The two new roads that have been identified are Hombo-Walikale, joining South and North Kivu, and Sake-Walikale in North Kivu. 13 Agence Française de Développement/World Bank, Africa’s Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation, siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRICA/.../aicd_overview_english_no-embargo.pdf 6 12 MOU International & Multilateral Model investment in roads in the east of DRC. This includes upgrading the Burhale–Shabunda road that we funded in Phase 1 of Roads in the East, funding the two new roads identified in the ISSSS plan for 2011/12, and building a bypass around a national park that would otherwise be impacted by one of the two new roads identified in the ISSSS plan. We will provide further financing of £19.5 million. The two new roads identified in the ISSSS plan – from Hombo to Walikale and Sake to Walikale – are shown in Map 1. Map 1: Nyamerira-Walikale and Sake-Walikale roads in North Kivu This investment would allow us to: Deliver up to 628 km of roads built or upgraded, and an increase in the weight of goods transported along DFID-funded roads. These results would deliver against our BAR and OP commitments to build or upgrade 1,700 kilometres of roads and double the weight of goods transported along DFID-funded roads. Deliver broader development and stabilisation outcomes, including physical access to basic services and markets. These will include, for example, reducing the costs of household goods: the cost of petrol in the zone of influence of the current Roads in the East intervention has reduced from 3,000 to 2,000 CDF per litre, and the cost of 1kg of salt from 2,000 to 1,600 CDF. Our investment will also create employment (the current intervention will create 300,000 employment days), including for women. 7 MOU International & Multilateral Model Ensure the sustainability of a maintenance system for provincial roads that will provide lessons for elsewhere. The consequences of not intervening would include: Slowing progress towards DFID DRC’s BAR and OP commitments to invest further in the roads sector. We would need to find alternative investments to build or upgrade 628 km of roads. We currently have no other intervention in place that could mobilise sufficiently quickly to deliver the number of kilometres that remain to be programmed out of our OP commitment of 1,700 km and failing to capitalise on our existing engagement in eastern DRC would jeopardise achievement of our OP commitments. Insufficient donor funding to meet the priority needs set out in the stabilisation plan for eastern DRC. Failure to ensure the long-term management of the environmental and social impacts of the road DFID has funded to re-open, potentially leading to negative results such as an increase in the production and trade of charcoal and bushmeat. Evidence While the literature on the size and nature of the benefits of roads is fairly limited, a number of recent studies agree strongly on a range of poverty reduction benefits from investment in roads. These include reduced transport and passenger tariffs, increased traffic and cargo volume, and increased attendance at schools and health centres, particularly for women and girls.14 DFID’s investments in roads programmes in DRC support these findings. The first phase of DFID’s Roads in the East intervention, for example, is already showing an increase in traffic and cargo volume and a decrease in the cost of household goods, as set out above. There is limited focus in the literature on the degree to which the opening of roads facilitates the provision of services by NGOs and local government. While this has been a focus of DFID’s roads programmes in DRC, the qualitative nature of the data on the presence of NGOs, and limitations in the capacity of partners to collect reliable data, mean that we do not have a clear picture of the degree to which rehabilitated roads are leading to an increase in basic services. Anecdotally, however, the recently re-opened roads from Kisangani to Ubundu and Burhale to Shabunda have both seen an increase in NGO activity. We will continue to collect data in this area to feed into a growing body of global evidence on roads and the provision of services. The social and economic impacts of road access, for which the global evidence set out above is strong, as well as the employment opportunities roads interventions offer, facilitate community recovery. Community recovery, in turn, is a core element of any stabilisation effort. The MONUSCO UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC background briefing and roll-out plan frame the stabilisation effort around three axes: improved security, political inclusion and improved livelihoods or community recovery. 15 MONUSCO has stated that “there is no faster way to kick-start recovery than repairing roads.” As a result of conflict and failure to maintain the roads that existed before the war, many “rural areas are completely isolated and armed groups in the east have been able to 14 Literature review: Poverty-related impacts of roads investments, Ti-Up, August 2010 (Quest document number 2761812) 15 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Background Briefing, (EDRM 3091507) and Roll-out Plan (EDRM 3091548) 8 MOU International & Multilateral Model move unhindered, populations have been cut-off and commerce has all but disappeared… Rebuilding roads and creating jobs in the process, expanding the transport grid and clearing corridors of checkpoints will not only destroy key profit centres of the remaining armed groups, these actions will also accelerate the economic reunification of the east, return markets to their past vibrancy and permit people to move freely.” 16 MONUSCO’s ‘roll-out plan’ identifies lack of economic development for returning populations as a driver of malnutrition, mortality and ethnic tensions which in turn could lead to entry into armed groups. Further, “with 80 percent of the population dependent on agriculture, boosting production, opening transport routes, purchasing food locally, and providing limited food aid are the fastest, most efficient ways to increase household incomes in return areas.”17 We will build quantifiable evidence on the links between roads investments and stabilisation through this programme to strengthen the evidence behind this investment and to feed into the global body of evidence in this field. There is also a specific need for a more coherent overall diagnostic and theory of change for the strategy for stabilisation in eastern DRC. The evidence underpinning the government’s and MONUSCO’s ISSSS is based on a number of assumptions with a lack of quantitative data to back it up. As set out in the theory of change in the Appraisal Case, we will build this into a monitoring and evaluation secondment to MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit funded from another DFID programme to ensure we can close this evidence gap. B. Impact and Outcome that we expect to achieve The intended impact and outcome for further work on roads in eastern DRC would be: Impact: Reduced income poverty and improved security in North and South Kivu Outcome: Economic activity and service provision catalysed by secure, all-weather, climate resilient roads As set out in Section A, there is strong global evidence that the building or rehabilitation of roads contributes to a range of poverty reduction and community recovery outcomes. Specifically in DRC, towns and villages in the east that have been closed to goods and services for over 20 years have been reconnected, and further investment will maintain these new-found links and ensure one constraint to positive economic and social benefits is removed and that the provision of security is facilitated. New opportunities for trade, employment and livelihoods, as well as access to essential services such as health care and education, should lead to achievement of the intended outcome. Putting in place a sustainable maintenance system will transfer responsibility for the roads to the Government of the DRC, contributing to achievement of the intended outcome. In recognition of the potentially negative environmental impacts that roads interventions can have if not well managed, and on the basis of the environmental and social impact assessment for Phase 1 of Roads in the East, one of the four outputs is to mitigate negative social and environmental impacts. Specifically, this will include mitigating the risks of increases in charcoal and bushmeat production and trade; increased illegal exploitation of timber; and the environmental and conflict risks of illegitimate artisanal mining. As well as this specific output, relevant environmental implications are incorporated into other outputs as appropriate. 16 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Background Briefing, (EDRM 3091507) 17 MONUSCO, UN Support for Security and Stabilisation of Eastern DRC Roll-out Plan (EDRM 3091548) 9 MOU International & Multilateral Model 10 MOU International & Multilateral Model Appraisal Case A. What are the feasible options that address the need set out in the strategic case? This section sets out the theory of change that underpins the case for further investment in Roads in the East, then considers a do-nothing counterfactual as well as three delivery options. Theory of change The theory of change is based on the fundamental logic that a road can provide access to markets as well as allow for the provision of security, which in turn can lead to improved incomes and security for the population of North and South Kivu. Roads can also provide physical access to basic services, and as such are a necessary but not sufficient condition for improved health and education outcomes. The key assumptions in the theory of change are the provision of security by MONUSCO and/or the Government of DRC security forces, and the ability of the national roads fund to implement, with our support, the maintenance system we put in place. The full theory of change is set out in Annex A. Assumptions Final outcome level Reduced income poverty and improved security in North and South Kivu • 4 Improved physical access to good quality services in ZoIs of roads Increased income Service providers and NGOs use roads to increase coverage 3 Reduced prices of goods Increased use of markets Security forces use roads to increase coverage GoDRC uses roads to increase coverage Increased road use by citizens • • • Improved transport Other DFID and donor programming leveraged into zones of influence of roads Increased employment All-weather, climate resilient roads exist and are maintained 2 Improved security and state presence in zones of influence of the roads I4S strategy and its implementation are coherent and effective • • 1 Recruit local labour with a focus (e.g. training, outputbased clauses) on assessing and addressing equitability and gender issues Influencing work Obtain provision of security by MONUSCO and GoDRC Enabling environment for commercial and agricultural activities is improved through other programmes Improvements in household income and expenditure are not undermined by significant shocks or increased informal taxes on the road Related programmes tackle conditions for economic development, such as river or other connecting transport and safe access for women to markets GoDRC prepared, and has capacity, to provide security and services Intermediate outcome level: • Recruit SMEs with a focus (e.g. training, output-based clauses) on assessing and addressing equitability and gender issues Access to services is supported by other necessary conditions e.g. availability of staff, affordable fees Functioning and effective road maintenance plan and financing structure Develop environmental and social management plan • Research and evaluation to collect and assess evidence and test assumptions of I4S strategy and links between roads and stabilisation • We are acting in coordination with the rest of I4S and the international community MONUSCO mandate is extended and MONUSCO has sufficient capacity MONUSCO provides security to works and to areas that have been opened GoDRC prepared, and has capacity, to provide security and The theory of change identifies some key gaps in our current evidence base. Lessons from previous road investments show that: we need our implementing partners not only to construct the roads themselves but also to ensure that the roads deliver sustainable, equitable outcomes; 11 MOU International & Multilateral Model we cannot assume that roads alone lead to development outcomes such as increased health or education outcomes or increased economic activity: other conditions, which are beyond the scope of our roads interventions, are necessary – such as affordable school or health fees and access to transport links beyond the roads we fund; we need to test our theory on the links between roads and stabilisation and build the global and local evidence base; and we need to test the ISSSS approach to phasing stabilisation efforts, including ensuring that MONUSCO provides security to road building investments under the ISSSS. The proposed intervention therefore includes a significant monitoring, evaluation and research element. This is set out in detail on pp. 42-43. It includes a baseline study, evaluability study and theory-based evaluation to allow us to test and clarify the theory of change, develop strong indicators and datasets, and iteratively improve the cost-benefit analysis. We will also second a monitoring and evaluation specialist to MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit to evaluate the links between roads and stabilisation and the ISSSS theory of change. Previous interventions in the roads sector have shown that gains can rapidly be undermined if effective and sustainable maintenance systems are not in place; that impacts are difficult to measure over the lifetime of a road construction intervention, or even within a two-year period thereafter; and that the indirect environmental and social impacts of roads interventions need to be managed over the medium to long term. The theory of change therefore runs over a 10-year period, and the intervention will include a 10-year contract for the oversight of maintenance, monitoring and evaluation and management of environmental and social impacts. This will allow us to mitigate the indirect and long-term environmental and social impacts, and to build the evidence of impact of investment in the roads sector. As well as the theory of change leading to the intended outcomes of the programme, there is a set of potential negative impacts that we will need to manage. At the lowest level of the theory of change, the recruitment of SMEs and local labour could lead to inequitable distribution of employment-generated income and resulting threats to social cohesion if we do not understand and take into account local power structures, conflict dynamics, and gender issues. The logic behind this linkage is that the benefits of construction and maintenance employment could accrue only to men, the most powerful and the most well-off, rather than the poorest and most vulnerable, including women. The roads themselves – level 2 of the theory of change – could lead to a set of negative outcomes at levels 3 and 4. These include: Increased trade in bushmeat from protected species, illegal timber and uncertified minerals. This trade poses risks to the environment and the climate in itself, but also provides economic benefits to armed groups and, potentially, FARDC and other actors Increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases Economic exploitation, including extraction of rent through establishing road blocks and enforcing informal taxes by both state security institutions Sexual exploitation Risks of conflict, through increased use of the roads by armed groups, banditry along the road if armed groups’ control of areas is successfully challenged by the state 12 MOU International & Multilateral Model Risks to civilian protection due to increased presence of and activity by both armed groups and formal security institutions Negative impacts upon people’s livelihoods, since the access provided by the roads may make the land in the vicinity and its natural resources more attractive to powerful individuals or groups and result in attempts to capture such land and/or resources Increased road traffic deaths and injuries Use of the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park by artisanal miners The logic is that these negative outcomes would lead not to increased road use by citizens but increased road use by armed groups; not to increased use of markets and reduced prices of goods but to increased illegal trade that fuels conflict; and not to improved security but to increased risks to civilian protection; and not to improved incomes but to reduced livelihoods options due to capture of land and natural resources. It is worth noting that an indicator that the programme is proceeding as expected would be that the anticipated positive and negative outcomes come to pass, albeit that we have mitigated the negative outcomes as far as possible. Although we have not yet been able to quantify and value negative outcomes, we will factor these into future iterations of the costbenefit analysis. The potential negative outcomes are captured in more detail in the social development and conflict and security appraisals. Strategies to mitigate, monitor and evaluate these risks are articulated in the Management Case. Results chain While the theory of change recognises that roads feed in as inputs to two macro-level theories of change (that of DFID DRC and that of the ISSSS), the results chain and logframe (which is included in the Management Case and at Annex B) focus down onto measuring what the intervention itself can deliver. Level 2 of the theory of change feeds into the logframe outcome which seeks to see economic activity and service provision catalysed by secure, all-weather, climate resilient roads. The economic activity and service provision elements of this outcome capture the significant focus in the programme on crowding in other DFID and donor activity. Level 1 of the theory of change becomes the programme outputs. The research and evaluation element of the programme will assess what the contribution of those roads is to the macro theories of change. 13 MOU International & Multilateral Model Finance for road construction and maintenance and environmental and social management Results chain Human resources for influencing – DFID DRC and consultancy Letting of construction and maintenance contracts which include a specific focus (e.g. training, output-based clauses) on assessing and addressing equitability and gender Implementation of environmental and social management plan Influencing work Human resources for research and evaluation through secondment to MONUSCO Stabilisation Support Unit Research and evaluation to collect and assess evidence and test assumptions of I4S strategy and links between roads and stabilisation Output indicators: • • • • Indicators • • • • • Roads built, upgraded, rehabilitated and maintained [with DFID finance/with govt finance?] Equitable employment generated by road works and maintenance Negative direct and indirect impacts of the roads identified and mitigated Other DFID and donor programming leveraged into zones of influence of roads Economic activity and service provision catalysed by secure, allweather, climate resilient roads Outcome indicators: • Number of kilometres of road built/upgraded • Number of kilometres of road rehabilitated/ maintained Maintenance MoUs in place with provincial governments Number of days of work generated, disaggregated by gender, income quintile, demobilised soldiers etc • • Volume of bushmeat from protected species • Volume of illegal timber Volume of illegal minerals • Number of people sensitised to HIV/AIDS, disaggregated by gender • Proportion of roads regularly Reduced income poverty and improved security in North and South Kivu Impact indicators: Number of vehicles on road (by category incl. non-motorised) Average speed on roads (which allows for over-achievement) or proportion of the four roads on which motorised vehicles can travel at >40 kph Number of days of road closure in last year (aggregated/averaged) Cost of transport per passenger km/tonne km Perceptions of security along the roads Proportion of population within x hours of nearest health centre/school Volume (t) of traceable artisanal minerals from centres de négoces in the zones of influence of the • • Provincial GDP per capita Number of attacks against civilians/ number of deaths in security incidents OR aggregat ed security score (from situation assessm ent) OR Feasible options Since the strategic case for this intervention is that we should support the ISSSS by investing in GoDRC and MONUSCO’s identified priority roads, the feasible options focus on delivery mechanisms rather than strategic decisions for the delivery of the programme’s outcome and impact. The options are described and appraised in full in Section C from page 21. Option 1, a ‘do nothing’ counterfactual, would involve ceasing our support to the roads element of the ISSSS in March 2012 when our current intervention ends. Option 2 is to agree a further memorandum of understanding with UNOPS, who delivered the first phase of the intervention. Option 3 envisages funding the national roads bureau, Office des Routes, directly to deliver or contract out the work, potentially through a management agent. Option 4 is to contract the private sector directly. Appraisal of issues for all options Before appraising each of the delivery options, we appraise below the economic and social development case for the roads prioritised by the ISSSS plan, as well as security, conflict, institutional, climate and environment issues. We also consider the opportunities for DFID DRC associated with investing in these roads in particular, and in the Kivus in general. 14 MOU International & Multilateral Model Economic appraisal The economic appraisal assessed the case for investing in each of the four proposed roads. The roads are shown in Map 2 below. They run from Shabunda to Burhale (along the road to Bukavu); Hombo to Walikale; Sake (the red circle to the south-east of Masisi) to Walikale; and Kaseke (the red circle near Hombo) to Bunyakiri (the red circle near Bukavu). The FiziMinembwe road, also shown in the map below, will be funded by other donors. 15 MOU International & Multilateral Model Map 2: ISSSS priority roads Existing axis ISSSS axis (fully open) ISSSS axis / 20122013 Priorities (partly open) Boga Rutshuru Masisi Walikale Hombo Shabunda Minembwe Fizi The roads were selected by the Government of DRC with MONUSCO as the highest priorities for stabilisation in the Kivus. This selection was made on the basis of levels of security and actual and potential economic activity. However, this information was based on qualitative assumptions rather than on quantitative data. The economic appraisal sought to address some of the gaps in the data, using historic, present and forecast traffic volumes; socio-economic data and population numbers; security costs; and information on the mining sector and other data relating to economic activity. The roads were then divided into a 16 MOU International & Multilateral Model number of sections according to existing road quality, topography, environment and number of bridges, and estimated costs were applied to each section. The economic analysis valued security benefits using the proxy measure of the anticipated reduction in MONUSCO costs to provide the same level of security. This includes, for example, the cost of establishing and manning police stations, and the cost of transporting troops and goods, which at present happens by helicopter rather than road. The benefit of additional trade is also valued, based on the improved prospects for legitimate mining providing a proxy for the economic impact of regional road network improvements. The costs in the current cost-benefit analysis (CBA) are the direct capital and maintenance costs of the intervention, taking into account the current state of the road, condition of the terrain, nature of the soil, existing drainage structures and requirement for major bridges. The estimated unit rates will bring the road from its state in early 2012 into a condition whereby 4x2 traffic can travel at an average speed of 40 km/h with efficient maintenance. Based on this analysis, the economic internal rates of return (EIRR) for all four roads are estimated to be strong, ranging from 17% to 20% (with an average of 19%). The net present value (NPV) of benefits minus costs is positive, totalling $6.35m for the four roads at a 12% discount rate. Table 1 below shows the EIRRs and NPVs for each road and in total. Table 1: Economic internal rates of return and net present values for the proposed roads Route Nyamirera-Walikale Kaseke-Bunyakiri Burhale-Isezya-Shabunda Sake-Nyabiondo-Walikale TOTAL all four routes: EIRR 19% 20% 17% 19% NPV US$m 1.31 1.08 1.68 1.85 Length km 128 72 239 189 19% 6.35 628 The CBA has identified a significant number of gaps between the impact and outcomes we are seeking to achieve in the theory of change, and what we can currently measure and therefore assign a value to. For example, while the proxy measure of security costs corresponds to the outcome “improved security and state presence in zones of influence of the roads” in the theory of change, and the proxy measure of increased legitimate mining corresponds to the “increased income” outcome, access to basic services is not valued in the CBA. Likewise, there are a number of other outputs that have been identified or quantified but are not yet valued in the CBA. On the cost side, the roads are expected to lead to increased volumes of bushmeat from protected species, illegal timber and uncertified minerals – which has both an environmental cost and provides economic benefits to armed groups. The roads may lead to informal taxes being imposed and facilitate the illicit capture of natural resources, and thus an economic cost. The roads may lead to an increased presence of both armed groups and security institutions, implying a security cost. Finally, there may be a social cost through increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, sexual exploitation and increased road traffic deaths and injuries. These costs could be significant, but will be carefully managed through the programme in order to minimise them. 17 MOU International & Multilateral Model The currently non-quantifiable benefits are judged to significantly outweigh the costs. These include direct employment, reduced prices for imported consumer goods and increased opportunity for commercial activity, leading to increased incomes. The roads are expected to reduce the time spent accessing basic services; and we are seeking to leverage in other DFID, donor and government programmes and make the ISSSS approach more coherent. In terms of security, not only will costs be reduced but security perceptions should improve and the number of security incidents decline. The Management Case sets out how these gaps in the economic appraisal will be addressed in the monitoring and evaluation strategy and the logframe from page 42. We will need to measure, and then assign values that correspond to, all of these costs and benefits, and ensure that the theory of change, cost-benefit analysis and logframe are coherent. The economic appraisal also demonstrates the importance of investing in the programme over a number of years (in this case a 10-year period) to ensure positive returns on our investment. Previous interventions in the roads sector have shown that gains can rapidly be undermined if effective and sustainable maintenance systems are not in place. If we ended the programme after the three-year construction period and assumed only one year of benefits if the roads were not maintained, the costs of construction would considerably outweigh the benefits, with a net present value of –$13.77m at a 12% discount rate. By continuing our engagement over 10 years, we can ensure the roads are maintained and therefore deliver the anticipated benefits. The economic appraisal also identified qualitatively that the benefits associated with the three of the proposed road interventions (Hombo-Walikale, Kaseke-Bunyakiri and SakeWalikale) are linked, since they form a network of provincial roads in North and South Kivu. Synergies between the roads mean that the aggregate benefits associated with investing in all three roads would be greater than the benefits associated with any one of the three roads being improved in isolation. The Burhale-Shabunda road also has the benefit of increasing the value of our investment in the Roads in the East Phase 1 intervention on the same axis. The economic appraisal therefore recommended investing in all four roads. Social development appraisal From a social development perspective, there are no anticipated differences in impact between the delivery options for this intervention as the funding modalities should not have significant effect on the technical design of the programme, the programme’s ability to deliver better social results at outcome and impact level, and its ability to meet the needs of the most poor and vulnerable. All of the options can provide a means of delivering equitable and sustainable outcomes and managing environmental and social risks and their performance will be judged on their ability to do so. The appraisal of social development impacts therefore compares investment in the roads through any mechanism to the ‘do-nothing’ counterfactual. Under all three of the ‘dosomething’ options, we will need to ensure we learn from the lessons of DFID DRC’s previous interventions in the roads sector. In particular, in the past our implementing partners have focused largely on the delivery of the ‘hardware’ of roads programmes, i.e. the roads themselves and their maintenance. The appraisal assesses the following potential social benefits of the programme for the most poor and vulnerable: 18 MOU International & Multilateral Model In the short-term and at the individual level, improved access to services and income through employment In the long-term and at the systemic and structural levels, improved service availability and improved access to markets It is reasonable to expect that roads will help facilitate the delivery of social outcomes in the long-term but short-term gains beyond those linked to direct employment will be limited, particularly for the poor and most vulnerable. In eastern DRC, the construction and maintenance of roads is not likely to have a significant, short-term impact on health outcomes, particularly for the most poor and vulnerable. 47% of women in North Kivu and 37.3% of women in South Kivu reported that transportation posed problems accessing healthcare. However, they noted that the high costs of healthcare posed significantly greater obstacles.18 Furthermore, access to health centres and hospitals in North and South Kivu is currently well-above other provinces. 73.3% of households in South Kivu and 72.7% of households in North Kivu live within 30 minutes of a health centre in comparison with the national average of 55.5%. The improvement of roads is more likely to have a longer-term impact on health and education outcomes by expanding service providers’ access and coverage. Some studies have shown that improvement of living conditions, such as rural infrastructure and road construction, can help improve retention of healthcare workers and encourage them to work in remote and/or rural areas that are under-served by improving their motivation.19 This may be true for countries like DRC, which is estimated to have higher medical unemployment in urban areas and labour shortages in rural areas.20 Improved roads may also expand immunisation campaigns in the east by improving humanitarian actors’ access to hard-toreach areas. Healthier and more educated communities Citizens have improved access to social services Roads increase availability of affordable public transport Roads improve individuals’ access to previously hard-toreach areas Service providers offer better quality services Roads improve services providers’ access to underserved areas Road works and maintenance programmes can alleviate poverty in several ways, most directly through income transfer (in cash or in-kind), and by creating useful economic infrastructure. Indirect or secondary effects of road programmes include income multipliers 18 PNUD, Province du Sud Kivu: Profil Resume, Pauvrete et Conditions de Vie des Menages. Mars 2009. 19 World Health Organization, “Increasing access to health workers in remote and rural areas through improved retention – Background paper.” Geneva, February 2009. 20 World Health Organization, “Increasing access to health workers in remote and rural areas through improved retention – Background paper.” Geneva, February 2009. 19 MOU International & Multilateral Model generated by spending of public works wages, impacts on labour markets, and enhanced employability of workers after the programme finishes.21 As evidenced in phase one of Roads in the East, the increase and or creation of new person days of employment does not necessarily benefit the most poor or vulnerable groups, particularly where heavy manual labour is involved. However, Phase Two of Roads in the East will target the most poor and vulnerable and women by requiring implementing partners to proactively ensure that employment-generated income from road rehabilitation and maintenance is distributed to the most poor and vulnerable, including women. This might include: job rotation through short-term contracts or reduced wages as a way from discouraging all but the most poor from applying reduced wages – potentially below market rates – as a way from discouraging all but the most poor from applying provision of water-points and firewood collection points closer to homes provision of childcare facilities at project sites, run by less physically-able individuals, unable to perform manual labour classification of activities as ‘light’, ‘medium’ or ‘heavy’, with less physically able individuals allocated ‘light’ or ‘medium’ tasks men and women work together in gangs to achieve joint piecework norms, so the time worked and payment received are the same provision of capital investments, such as mechanical equipment, to reduce the need for heavy manual labour and attract less physically-able groups of the working poor who might otherwise be excluded from labour-intensive programmes To mitigate risks related to road construction, we will ensure that international best practices and lessons learned in road construction are adopted, particularly around the spread of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, economic and sexual exploitation, threats to social cohesion, and risks of conflict. Strategies to mitigate these risks are articulated in the Management Case. Institutional appraisal Working on roads in eastern DRC has implications for our work with a wide variety of actors, with some of whom we have not engaged in the first phase: f. Beneficiaries. We will need MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit (SSU) and our implementing partners to work with communities to raise awareness and ensure that the programme responds to beneficiaries’ needs and delivers equitable outcomes. The Management Case sets out how we will seek to engage with communities in the zones of influence of the roads. g. Civil society and humanitarian actors. Building links with NGOs will be crucial to seek their assistance in sensitising the population to the use and maintenance of the roads. We will also need a comprehensive picture of civil society interventions in the zones of influence to ensure we build synergies where possible. We expect civil society to play a significant part in the consortia of implementing partners, including in terms of environmental and social management. h. Provincial government. SSU and implementing partners will need to work with provincial governments to ensure the programme coordinates with and leverages other interventions into provincial development plans. If the programme roads are Stephen Devereux, “From Workfare to Fair Work: The Contribution of Public Works and other Labour–Based Infrastructure Programmes to Poverty Alleviation.” Recovery and Reconstruction Department, International Labour Office, Geneva; November 2002. 20 21 MOU International & Multilateral Model not high amongst the provincial priorities, it will be necessary to advocate for their inclusion for maintenance by FONER. i. Other provincial actors. Where national policy may impact on the provinces, for example in ensuring timely payments from FONER in Kinshasa to OdR provincially, we may need to seek the influence of key provincial actors such as the provincial representative of FEC, religious organisations (i.e.catholic church), key CSO and traditional chiefs (Mwamis). j. FARDC, Police Nationale Congolaise (PNC), Police de Circulation, etc. The programme roads align with the ISSSS areas of operation, and are known to be the areas where many of the former rebel groups used to operate. While these groups have been integrated into the FARDC, the chain of command of groups such as CNDP and Mayi Mayi retain a significant degree of independence in the way they operate. Therefore, the success or failure of the programme will depend on the level of buy-in and interest these integrated forces and FARDC have in the building of the roads. Furthermore, it is possible that MONUSCO’s mandate will not continue throughout the first three years of the programme during which the road construction will take place. We will therefore need the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works and Office des Routes to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that FARDC and PNC provide security on the roads. k. National government. The roads prioritised by the government and MONUSCO are national priority roads which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction (MITPR). DFID will therefore engage with the Cellule Infrastructure, which supports MITPR, in the drafting of the calls for proposals, contracts, administrative arrangements and memoranda of understanding, and in the selection of partners. We will also require delivery partners to work closely with the Cellule Infrastructures, which represents the Ministry, and will include this in all arrangements and contracts. We will also need to work closely with FONER to ensure that payments are made to the provinces in a timely manner. l. Key donor partners, to ensure coordination and to leverage in other activities. Conflict and security appraisal The programme roads could play an important role in improving security for communities (though we need to test this theory through the evaluation element of the programme) but also present a number of risks that will need to be managed proactively. The roads will be constructed in an environment which is characterised by the presence of a number of armed groups who currently prey on local communities with relative impunity. In addition, the roads will pass through areas where there is an active mineral trade of which much is informal and/or illegal and provides economic benefits to armed groups and, potentially, FARDC and other actors. MONUSCO anticipate that the building/upgrading of the roads would have a direct impact in terms of improved security. For example, there are currently 1,400 peacekeepers deployed along the Masisi-Walikale road in 16 bases. Upgraded roads would allow these peacekeepers to patrol and secure larger areas around their bases and to react more quickly to security incidents and threats to civilians. Currently peacekeepers are able to make three to four patrols daily in a perimeter of a maximum of 15 km around their bases. Eight helicopter rotations are needed every week to re-supply the troops, at a cost of $13,000. MONUSCO estimate that the same trip by road would cost $1,400. However, the roads themselves could be seen by the state security institutions as presenting opportunities to extract rent through establishing road blocks and enforcing informal taxes. 21 MOU International & Multilateral Model Armed groups may equally seek to extract rents in areas under their control or resort to banditry along the road if their control of areas is successfully challenged by the state. Experience in eastern Congo also informs us that increased presence and activity by both armed groups and formal security institutions presents risks to civilian protection. The access provided by the roads themselves may make the land in the vicinity and its natural resources more attractive to powerful individuals or groups and any resulting attempts to capture such land and/or resources could lead to negative impacts upon the livelihoods of those that live in the area. Finally, it will be important to ensure that any existing tensions between communities along the road are not exacerbated by their construction and the improved access that they provide. Instead, opportunities should be taken to improve social cohesion through ensuring that equitable benefits from the roads’ construction reach all communities, and that complementary peace-building activities are undertaken where appropriate. Ensuring an effective communication strategy is in place to keep communities updated on the roads’ construction, the opportunities they represent and the wider stabilisation measures and programmes that they could facilitate, including greater access to social services, will help to manage the risk of misperceptions and build local level understanding and support. The risk management section on pp. 40-41 sets out how we will manage these risks. Climate and environment assessment Road construction and use can have significant climate change and environmental impacts. Investment in roads programmes in eastern DRC carries significant risks of contributing to environmental degradation, illegitimate exploitation of natural resources and climate change if not well managed. It also carries significant opportunities for improving communities’ resilience and improving governance of natural resources and environmental management. A full checklist of risks and opportunities is at Annex C. The programme is therefore Category A (high potential risk/opportunity). The proposed intervention is to upgrade existing roads. The programme’s direct impacts will be significant, but much less so than for new roads. A full environmental and social assessment (ESIA) was undertaken during Phase 1 of Roads in the East for the Burhale-Shabunda road and Kaseke-Bunyakiri roads. It was not carried out prior to the start of works on the Burhale-Shabunda road, since the road was identified as an urgent stabilisation priority. Although DFID insisted that it would need to be in place within six months of the start of the programme, subsequent delays due to a lack of suitable partners and contracting delays mean that the report was only completed in May 2011. A social and environmental management plan (SEMP) is being implemented during the extension of Phase 1.22 The SEMP will also be used in programme implementation of Phase 2. ESIAs are now underway for the two other proposed roads, and SEMPs will be developed. The original ESIA judged that the scale of negative impacts on the biophysical environment will be major to moderate unless well managed. The key risks include: Increased use and trade of charcoal and wood for fuel 22 Roads in the East ESIA (EDRM 3029257, 3029273, 3029282, 3029375, 3029380) 22 MOU International & Multilateral Model Increased consumption and trade of bushmeat Resumption of illicit or poorly managed artisanal mining Weak capacity to manage the nearby national park The ESIA also identified a number of possible benefits provided by the re-opened roads, including: Participation of local and indigenous populations in management PNKB Creation and support of an environmental education program Improving access to drinking water Broader sustainable development of the region An additional longer term risk is that further improvements in the quality of the roads in the east of DRC will facilitate an increase in both artisanal and industrial logging. The risk of increased logging and trade in charcoal and wood for fuel carries the broader risk of increasing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and thus contributing to climate change. A further longer term risk is around the development of the mining sector. While increased legitimate, traceable minerals trade would be a positive outcome of increased road access, there is a direct risk to mineral exploitation within the national park from increased road access. This risk is covered in the existing SEMP and we will continue to mitigate it in Phase 2. There is also an indirect risk of the growing industry leading to land degradation and pollution of water courses, and we will work with DFID’s ProMines programmes and other mining interventions to ensure these risks are mitigated. We will also work with the centres de négoces to provide data from road checkpoints on the mining trade, and to assist with the certification process for traceable minerals. An additional set of opportunities arise from the potential to increase communities’ economic and physical resilience to climate change and environmental challenges. The roads are expected to lead to direct employment and, assuming other conditions are in place, broader economic development, which should lead to increased economic resilience. Improved land management and physical access should lead to improved physical resilience. The ESIA considered the impact of the roads on the scale of deforestation in DRC. The direct impacts on deforestation were considered to be of relatively minor importance because the intervention was reopening an existing road and the forest that had re-grown where the road had once been was secondary growth. Since the roads to be funded under Phase 2 cover only up to 628 km of a country that is greater in size than western Europe, its impact on overall DRC deforestation levels is marginal. In the second phase we will also consider the impact of climate change, climate variability and extreme events on the condition of the roads. We are working with the DFID-funded Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP) to launch a programme in DRC, and will seek to consider through this whether roads standards and future maintenance requirements will need to be adjusted accordingly. We will also pilot a new approach to measuring the carbon footprint of the programmatic operations of our partners. Currently, DFID DRC is thinking about how to measure the footprint of our own operations, and how to ensure climate change is mainstreamed through our programme. This misses the far greater operational footprint of the programmes we finance. 23 MOU International & Multilateral Model We will therefore develop and pilot a methodology to assess our partners’ and our programmes’ emissions. This will build on carbon accounting work done by the Asian Development Bank, and more recently other multilateral development banks, on their own operations. This carbon accounting will include staffing issues such as travel. Since this intervention involves construction, it will also include measuring the footprint of the materials used for the works. We will also assess the increased emissions that will result from higher traffic volume on the roads, and consider how to reduce emissions. The emissions might be expected to be relatively small (particularly in global terms) but will need to be calculated on the basis of traffic projections and offset against any resulting decrease in the use of airlifts. We will draw on existing work to calculate and reduce the emissions of roads interventions. 23 Emissions will need to be weighed up against the benefits for DRC’s development and stabilisation. Lessons from Phase 1 on environmental and social management have included: Ensuring ESIAs are undertaken, and SEMPs are in place, before interventions begin. ESIAs for the two new roads are already underway as a contribution the UK is making to the ISSSS even if we do not finance the construction of the roads. Ensuring that a credible plan is in place, and that the SEMP actions that are undertaken are necessary and sufficient to mitigate the key direct and indirect impacts of the intervention. We will ensure that a core part of the programme involves a review of the existing and new ESIAs and SEMPs, as well as their successful implementation. Setting up a committee of all relevant government, NGO and UN partners in South Kivu to manage environmental and social impacts. This is an innovative approach that should be developed and adopted in North Kivu during Phase 2. DFID committed 15% of the cost of Phase 1 of Roads in the East construction works to identify and manage the environmental and social impacts of the intervention. We will continue with this proportion of spend to finance the implementation of the SEMP to ensure the negative impacts are mitigated and the benefits maximised. The mechanism for managing environmental and social impacts and delivering the carbon accounting element will be to set up a 10-year arrangement to cover the lifetime of the intervention. This contract or arrangement will oversee and build capacity for maintenance; monitor and evaluate the intervention; and manage the environmental and social impacts. The agency recruited for this purpose will have a mandate to monitor implementation of the SEMPs and devise course corrections or alternative strategies if mitigation measures are not working or prove inadequate to the scale of the impact. The 10-year arrangement is considered in the appraisal of options at section C below, as well as in the Commercial Case. Synergies and impacts on strategic decisions DFID DRC’s programme team considered whether a decision to invest in a three-year works programme in support of the GoDRC and MONUSCO stabilisation plan in eastern DRC would (a) provide opportunities for synergies with other parts of the programme to leverage 23 Such as an Asian Development Bank case study on India, http://www.adb.org/documents/reports/estimating-carbon-footprints-road-projects/estimating-carbonfootprints-road-projects.pdf and methodologies for reducing carbon in transport interventions, http://ss.adb.org/?cx=003580287232275984586%3A28nh6wpajf4&q=carbon+calculator 24 MOU International & Multilateral Model increased results, and (b) preclude any strategic decisions to shift the way DFID works in DRC in the future. A full set of responses by programme or sector is at Annex D. In summary, investment in the proposed roads provides a number of opportunities for synergies with broader stabilisation, conflict, security, humanitarian and basic services programmes. Investing in the stabilisation plan would also give us the leverage to strengthen the stabilisation approach. ISSSS seeks to be a programmatic effort, but functions by producing project concept notes and then seeking funding by project. Investing in the proposed roads would provide an opportunity to take a more programmatic approach if DFID DRC also chooses to invest in other elements of the plan or to build synergies with other parts of our programme. We will also work to improve MONUSCO’s understanding of the impact of stabilisation efforts, and build development considerations into GoDRC and MONUSCO planning to assist in the transition from stabilisation to development. In terms of the high-level strategic decisions DFID DRC faces about how to shape its programme in the future, there was a clear sense that as long as we do not take a decision that we will only work in the provinces where we already have agreed roads programmes, investment in these roads in North and South Kivu would not preclude any strategic investment decisions in our portfolio. Nor would it preclude our building roads elsewhere in DRC, under a scaling up of our support to the sector envisaged in the Country Operational Plan. A decision to invest in roads in the Kivus in support of stabilisation aims would not fit well with, for example, a decision to pursue an area-based programme that targets the very poorest, which might focus on a province such as Equateur. However, it would not rule out a number of other potential priorities, such as supporting the stabilisation effort and the transition from humanitarian to development; either top-down support through government or bottom-up through labour-based employment and private sector development; or focusing on trade and the investment climate, given the Kivus’ international boundaries to the east. B. Assessing the strength of the evidence base for each feasible option Option 1: End Roads in the East after Phase 1 2: Develop a programme that builds on our current Roads in the East intervention, implemented by UNOPS 3: Fund Office des Routes to implement the programme directly 4: Catalyse private investment in roads in eastern DRC to deliver the programme Evidence rating Strong Medium Medium (though weaker than option 2) Medium (though weaker than option 2) Since the options focus on delivery mechanisms, the evidence for all three is medium. No impact evaluations have been undertaken on roads interventions in DRC, and nor therefore for any of these delivery mechanisms. Monitoring and evaluation in general has been relatively weak in the roads sector in DRC, and has tended to focus on outputs as proxies for development and stabilisation outcomes. Nevertheless, monitoring and evaluation studies have been undertaken, good evidence on the impacts of roads on development outcomes 25 MOU International & Multilateral Model exists at the global level, and we have worked with both UNOPS and Office des Routes (the latter indirectly) in other interventions. What is the likely impact (positive and negative) on climate change and environment for each feasible option? Option 1 2 3 4 Climate change and environment risks and impacts n/a A (high potential risk) A (high potential risk) A (high potential risk) Climate change and environment opportunities n/a B (medium potential opportunity) B (medium potential opportunity) B (medium potential opportunity) C. What are the costs and benefits of each feasible option? From an economic, security and conflict, climate and environment and social development perspective, there are limited anticipated differences in impact between the delivery options for this intervention. Those that do exist are set out in the appraisal below. The funding modalities should not have a significant effect on the technical design of the programme, the programme’s ability to deliver better environmental and social results at outcome and impact level and mitigate risks, or its ability to meet the needs of the most poor and vulnerable. These issues will need to be built into programme implementation regardless of the delivery option. The level of DFID oversight, and hence risk of poor or non-compliance with requirements, does vary significantly between the delivery options. The appraisal therefore focuses on institutional, quality control and value for money issues. Option 1: Do nothing Option 1, a ‘do nothing’ counterfactual, would involve ceasing our support to the roads element of the ISSSS in March 2012 when our current intervention ends. The first phase of support was intended to upgrade the Burhale to Shabunda road from a pathway to a road passable by 4x4 vehicles, and to ensure a sustainable maintenance system was put in place. Ceasing support in March would mean that only NGO and UN vehicles could use the road. Local people would still only be able to access the length of the road by foot or bicycle, and doing nothing therefore would offer minimal stabilisation and development outcomes or impact. There is little likelihood that, in the absence of further DFID support, other donors would provide alternative funding. The scale of need in DRC means that although a large number of donors are engaged in the roads sector, few have additional resources to invest and there is a very low likelihood that DFID finance would displace other donor funding. The African Development Bank is largely engaged in bitumen routes nationales, and the World Bank focuses on the national priority roads plan. MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit, which coordinates the ISSSS, has approached donors about the ISSSS priority roads. The Netherlands, who previously provided finance for the Miti-Hombo and Sake-Masisi roads, have had their aid budget for DRC cut. The EU was working on the road from Goma to Masisi, but ran out of funds and is unlikely to have any further finance before 2015. Other donors are considering providing finance for further ISSSS priority roads – the Baraka-FiziMinembwe road and two roads in Haut Uélé and Bas Uélé districts in Province Orientale – but do not have funds for more than these roads. 26 MOU International & Multilateral Model It is feasible that MONUSCO engineering brigades could undertake some works on the programme roads in the absence of DFID funding. MONUSCO are already working on 86 km of the Hombo-Walikale road and 176km of the Masisi-Walikale road. However, MONUSCO brigades have the capability only to prepare road platforms and undertake road surfacing works. The roads cannot be reopened without DFID support to stabilise the slopes on either side of the roads and to construct drainage structures and bridges. In addition, MONUSCO engineering brigades do not have the capacity to hand over road maintenance to FONER, or to build FONER and OdR’s capacity to deliver an effective and sustainable maintenance system. Nor would the engineering brigades offer local employment, or management of social and environmental impacts. Moreover, work by the engineering brigades would end with the MONUSCO mandate, or decrease with a gradual MONUSCO drawdown, either of which could be as early as next year. The counterfactual to the proposed intervention is that the roads remain unopened (or, in the case of Burhale-Shabunda, passable only by 4x4 vehicles). The benefits measured in the economic appraisal are incremental benefits over and above this baseline scenario. The costs to MONUSCO of delivering stabilisation along the proposed routes would remain high, though the cost to DFID directly would be zero. The opportunities for increased legitimate mining trade would be limited. While a second phase of support would allow us to build on and strengthen the investment we made in Roads in the East Phase 1 on the Burhale-Shabunda road, and therefore a donothing option would imply a cost due to a failure to reinforce the investment we have already made, this cost is not counted under the counterfactual. This is because reinforcing the road is counted as a benefit under options 2, 3 and 4. Option 2: UNOPS This option envisages using the same partner for delivery as in Phase 1 of DFID’s investment in roads in eastern DRC. However, we would seek to improve upon the Phase 1 approach by agreeing performance triggers for payments and by securing greater DFID involvement in the selection of service providers for elements such as environmental and social management. This would deliver better value for money in that unsatisfactory work would not be paid for. It would also address the relative weakness of a memorandum of understanding, rather than a performance-based contract, as the form of arrangement between DFID and the delivery partner. As in the first phase, this option would require programme-funded technical assistance to ensure results beyond works on the road are delivered. The benefits of this option include: Building upon the experience of the first phase. UNOPS has already developed relationships with government, private sector and NGO partners in North and South Kivu. This is the only option which would allow works to begin in early to mid 2012, since the team is already in place, and contracts for existing works can be extended where successful or tenders delivered rapidly where new contracts are required. An awareness before programme design of our partner’s strengths and weaknesses. This would allow us to build in measures to consolidate their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. For example, we could require UNOPS to subcontract some tasks, such as design and supervision, to others such as Office des Routes and NGOs that have the necessary experience. We could also be more involved, 27 MOU International & Multilateral Model through the provision of technical assistance, in the delivery of the programme, for example in the preparation of terms of reference and the selection of subcontractors. Privileged relations with MONUSCO, which should ensure that MONUSCO brigades provide security for the road works to go ahead as well as longer-term security as the next step in the ISSSS strategy once roads have been reopened. The experience of the first phase shows that in fact UNOPS was not able to secure such support for two years, leading to delays and lower value for money in the programme. Vigilance by DFID is therefore required to make this happen, limiting the added value of UNOPS in this area. Moreover, if MONUSCO’s mandate is not renewed in 2012, UNOPS will have limited influence on the provision of security – though in this scenario it is the responsibility of the government to provide security for the UN family. Reasonable procedures for and experience in procurement. The risks and challenges of this option include: High administration costs of 12% during Phase 1. We would need to negotiate these costs down to ensure competitive value for money. MONUSCO’s Stabilisation and Recovery Funding Facility (SRFF) offers one option to drive down admin costs, as set out below. A weaker mechanism to tackle underperformance than a contract-based approach. We would need to agree a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for this type of arrangement, which is not legally binding, as a contract could be. A focus on the delivery of works, with less attention to the social, economic and environmental aspects of roads programmes, and a limited awareness of the market for contractors for these ‘softer’ elements of the programme. Close supervision has been required during Phase 1, which implies significant transactions costs for DFID. Also in the first phase, the challenge of finding a suitable contractor for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment led to significant delays in managing the environmental and social impacts of the programme. We could mitigate this risk by requiring UNOPS to secure arrangements with suitable partners, which DFID would need to approve, before agreeing an arrangement with them. Human resource management. UNOPS staff are given short contracts due to UNOPS’ lack of central funding, so turnover of staff is high and some experienced staff have moved on. Our negative experience in another roads intervention in DRC showed that the quality of individuals and teams is paramount to UNOPS’ ability to deliver, and we cannot guarantee that the strong team that is currently in place will remain. We could mitigate this risk by requiring UNOPS to give staff longer contracts, up to the full estimated duration of their work under the programme. Limited responses to tenders from local private sector organisations. We will need to explore whether this is related to a lack of suitable organisations (and if so, how to proactively tackle this), or UNOPS procedures. This challenge applies to all three options. This option provides the only tested solution, albeit with a number of areas for improvement. It therefore presents a lower risk than the other options, and could be delivered in the fastest timeframe. However, it is not clear that it represents the best value for money, and one of UNOPS’ comparative advantages may disappear if MONUSCO’s mandate is not renewed. We would have two options for the arrangement with UNOPS: a direct MoU between DFID and UNOPS, or routing our funding through the Stabilisation and Recovery Funding Facility (SRFF). 28 MOU International & Multilateral Model The SRFF is a multi-donor trust fund through which it is intended that all support to the ISSSS be routed. Finance can be provided either for the board of the trust fund to allocate to the highest ISSSS priorities, or to be earmarked for a particular intervention. We would have the flexibility to negotiate clauses in our arrangement with the trust fund, such as retaining an external overall monitoring function of UNOPS’ work and payments linked to results; to include a set of results that will lead to disbursements in the project document; and to veto the project document if we are not content. The SRFF administration fees are 8%, including 1% for UNDP as trust fund manager and 7% for UNOPS as implementing agency. The SRFF would therefore significantly reduce the administration fees compared to entering an arrangement with UNOPS directly, though if we elect not to use the SRFF we would use the 7% fee UNOPS agreed with the SRFF as a tool to negotiate their rate down. Using the SRFF would considerably enhance donor coordination in support of the ISSSS, and would empower GoDRC nationally and provincially to own and engage in the implementation of the strategy. Our ambition to test the ISSSS theory of change, build synergies with other donor interventions and elements of the ISSSS, leverage in other donor and DFID programming, shift the ISSSS from a projectised to a programmatic approach, and improve M&E within the ISSSS would be significantly enhanced by participating. The risks of using the SRFF are that only one other donor is currently providing finance through the SRFF, so we would be one of the first movers; reduced control over our arrangement with UNOPS, though this could be mitigated by including clauses in the project document and trust fund arrangement; and the possibility of delays in getting the revised SRFF agreed by the new government and due to lack of political capacity or will. There is also a risk around UNDP administering the trust fund, as we have had a poor experience of UNDP managing a UNOPS arrangement in another DFID-funded roads intevention. However, the SRFF would be managed from New York rather than at country level, lowering this risk. Option 3: OdR This option would work through the national roads bureau, Office des Routes (OdR). OdR would manage project funds, sub-contracting works to local small and medium enterprises. DFID would provide technical support, most likely from an international consultancy firm and perhaps through a project implementation unit approach, for design and supervision services and technical studies. The benefits of this option include: Building the capacity of the Government of DRC at the provincial level. Making use of existing heavy equipment which belongs to OdR in both North and South Kivu but that is not being used for lack of project funding. By using this equipment we would not have to pay for the amortisement of the equipment and this would reduce the cost of using it. The overall impact may be as high as 10 to 15%. Securing the road works. Although MONUSCO is not obliged to provide security as it is for the UN family, as part of GoDRC OdR should be able to work with the Ministry of Defence to secure FARDC and police security for the roads. This is, however, untested. The risks and challenges of this option include: Considerable fiduciary risk. DFID does not currently fund any part of the Government of DRC directly. In order to consider this option, we would need to 29 MOU International & Multilateral Model undertake a fiduciary risk assessment (FRA) for the provincial branches of OdR. However, there is no reason to expect that the risk of funding OdR in North and South Kivu will be less than the risk of funding other parts of GoDRC, and it is therefore unlikely that this would be a feasible option. We could mitigate the risk through results-based payments, though this method is being tried in ProRoutes and progress remains slow. Weak performance in other interventions. OdR has been used by the EU. This experience suggested that OdR is a weak organisation that needs reinforcement and training in all fields: technical, administrative, planning and finance. The EU-funded PAREST project trained a significant number of staff, but 98% of these newly trained staff have already left for the private sector. OdR is currently being supported indirectly to implement part of the World Bank- and DFID-funded ProRoutes programme, but the aims of ProRoutes are to build capacity in the sector and it is therefore judged important to work through OdR even if implementation is slower as a result. Investment in provincial roads in eastern DRC, however, has a stabilisation objective and therefore requires rapid progress to build people’s confidence. The challenge of building local private sector capacity. OdR has been unwilling to sub-contract work to the private sector as its raison d’etre has always been to deliver works itself. While it will be necessary to build OdR’s capacity to become a management agency rather than a public works organisation, the need for Roads in the East to deliver quickly means this programme may not be the best place to press for this. Moreover, if OdR were managing project funds and implementing some of the works, there would be a question over separation of functions. As set out above, an FRA would need to be undertaken to analyse these risks. A weaker mechanism to tackle underperformance than a contract-based approach. We would need to agree an MoU for this type of arrangement, which is not legally binding, as a contract could be. A higher risk of non-compliance with environmental and social standards and requirements. Related to the weaker nature of an MoU than a contract, it would be difficult to withhold payment on the basis of non-compliance on the softer elements of the programme. This is a high risk option, but it could produce good value for money if sufficient safeguards (including high quality technical support and results-based finance) could guarantee the expected results and if OdR made available its new equipment to ensure our costs were reduced. In order to promote the private sector all the non-mechanical work would need to be subcontracted to the private sector. This would involve significant resource to shift OdR’s culture from delivery to management. Option 4: Private sector DFID would hire an international engineering or consulting company as a project manager, in joint venture with local partner(s), to manage the programme, including fund management, design and supervision, and environmental and social components. The project manager would hire local contractors to execute the works. The benefits of working directly with the private sector would be: The opportunity to build local private sector capacity. Potentially good value for money. A competitive process should lead to lower fees than UNOPS’ administration costs. The ability to manage performance directly through a results-based contract. Limited fiduciary risk. 30 MOU International & Multilateral Model Access to expertise in, and experience in managing, not only physical works but also management of environmental and social impacts and handover of maintenance. The risks and challenges include: Anchorage of the programme. Since the works are executed on national and provincial roads, an agreement with the national ministry of public works and the provincial governor would have to be negotiated. Security for the works. Without UNOPS or OdR as a partner, the task of organising MONUSCO or GoDRC security may be more difficult. Where security was not available during Phase 1, this had a detrimental impact on the quality of the works and on costs. Premiums may be increased to allow for insurance and provision of security. Risk of limited response to tenders from local private sector organisations. We will need to explore whether this is related to a lack of suitable organisations (and if so, how to proactively tackle this). This challenge applies to all three options. This is a less risky option than funding OdR, and would build on experience in other fragile environments such as Afghanistan. This option offers us the most control over the quality of results as we can use results-based management contracts. It also potentially offers the best value for money due to the use of a competitive tender process. Proposed option Table 2 below summarises the likely performance of options 2-4 against a set of key criteria. Table 2: Strengths and weakness by objective and delivery channel Experience (including in ‘softer’ elements) and past performance Value for money UNOPS joint venture Medium Satisfactory performance in Phase 1 of the programme, with room for improvement on softer elements Low fiduciary risk Private sector Medium Slow performance in other DFID-funded programmes and untested ability to work with others on softer elements Medium No experience in DRC, but considerable experience globally including in softer elements and in fragile states e.g. Afghanistan High Use of existing heavy equipment would reduce costs and results-based finance should offer VfM, but poor and slow performance in other interventions has driven up costs Medium Competitive tender will drive down costs and results-based finance should allow strong VfM UNOPS should have the greatest ability to command MONUSCO support, though this relies on the assumption that MONUSCO is prepared to secure investments in the ISSSS Medium OdR (and its parent ministry) should have the ability to work with the Ministry of Defence to secure works, though this is untested International and local firms have the lowest ability to command provision of security. Premiums may increase as a result Low Medium Significant experience globally. Some small-scale risk in subcontracts with local actors Significant fiduciary risk in asking GoDRC to manage funds. An FRA would be required Medium High admin costs balanced by reasonable procurement processes Ability to secure provision of security by MONUSCO or GoDRC Office des Routes Low Medium 31 Low International firm will have significant experience globally. Some small-scale risk in subcontracts with local actors MOU International & Multilateral Model Ability to start works rapidly High UNOPS is already working in both provinces and has built relationships with government, MONUSCO and contractors Medium OdR is already present and has equipment, but limited ability and willingness to subcontract private sector could slow progress Ability of DFID to tackle underperformance Medium MoU provides weaker control mechanism than a contract though mitigated by approval by DFID of subcontractors Ability to build GoDRC capacity Medium MoU will need to include mechanisms to build OdR, FONER and relevant environmental and social ministries’/agencies’ capacity Medium Subcontracts will be let to private sector, though there is room for improvement in proactively building the capacity of the private sector and MoU will need to include mechanisms for this Low/medium MoU provides weaker control mechanism than a contract. Mitigated by use of results based agreement, though this has had limited utility in ProRoutes High Opportunity to work with OdR for the first time as a roads agency, managing funds and subcontracting the private sector Ability to build local private sector capacity Low No track record and have shown lack of willingness to subcontract rather than undertake works with own brigades Low The need to procure using international norms and timelines and the fact no international firms are currently present in DRC imply long lead in time High Performance-based contracts would allow for a high degree of control Medium Contract will include building OdR and FONER and relevant environmental and social ministries’/agencies’ capacity High Contract will include proactively building private sector capacity. International firms have strong track record in this area The summary table shows: That the option of working through Office des Routes has the highest number of weaknesses. That working through the private sector offers the best opportunity to exploit real strengths, but also has a number of weaknesses to mitigate including around provision of security and ability to start works rapidly. That an improved UNOPS delivery mechanism would not have any weaknesses we do not feel could be addressed, and could start most rapidly. The relative strengths and weaknesses of each feasible option point to a hybrid solution that would allow us to test the ability of different partners and mechanisms to deliver in the east of DRC, whilst at the same time minimising and mitigating risks through a portfolio approach which allows for lesson learning and backstopping. The proposed approach would blend options 2 and 4, while encouraging OdR to offer its services as a plant hire operator. We would: Negotiate a memorandum of understanding with UNOPS, or enter into an arrangement with the SRFF (see pp. 23-24), for the upgrading of the BurhaleShabunda road and management of the direct environmental and social impacts. Improving on the first phase of Roads in the East, we would negotiate a performance-based arrangement, which would set out the results that would trigger payments. We would ensure that liability issues were clearly addressed, to ensure that UNOPS takes liability for any underperformance in contracts they manage. We would also ensure that, where necessary, DFID would have the right to be involved in the drafting of terms of reference and selection of contractors. This may include agreeing the proposed contractors during the negotiation of the arrangement. We would ensure that the arrangement captured accountability lines to the Ministry of 32 MOU International & Multilateral Model Infrastructure and Public Works (MITPR) through the Cellule Infrastructures, who would approve terms of reference and contractor selection. Tender the building/upgrading work and management of direct environmental and social impacts on the other roads to bring in competition from the private sector, NGOs and consortia. We propose to tender a results-based contract that allows for sufficient flexibility to ensure strong delivery of results and value for money. This will allow bidders to propose innovative models for delivery. The Commercial Case sets out a number of considerations which will need to be captured in the tender document. These include accountability lines to MITPR, who, as with UNOPS, would approve terms of reference and contractor selection. Encourage OdR to offer its services as a plant hire operator. This may allow the programme to take advantage of the presence of unused heavy equipment without OdR being engaged in direct works, and would increase the possibility to build OdR capacity through a direct link to the programme. Let a 10-year contract for the three elements of the programme that will run for the full duration: monitoring and evaluation, management of indirect and long-term environmental and social impacts, and establishment and oversight of maintenance arrangements. This organisation or consortium would provide monitoring and evaluation and lesson learning across the elements of the programme, and would engage in the first two years of the programme with the monitoring and evaluation secondee to MONUSCO that we intend to fund through another DFID programme (see page 8). The contractor would also be responsible for implementing the environmental and social management plan where it relates to indirect impacts, and coordinating with UNOPS and the project manager on their management of direct risks and the handover of management after the first three years of the programme. Finally, they would work with UNOPS and the project manager to hand over the maintenance of the roads to the provincial government authorities, provide in-kind support such as training and equipment over the lifetime of the programme, and manage contingency funds to backstop the maintenance system in the event that it fails over the 10-year programme lifespan. The Commercial Case sets out a number of considerations which will need to be captured in the tender document. These include accountability lines to MITPR, who, as with UNOPS, would approve terms of reference and contractor selection. Consider other alternative delivery mechanisms within the portfolio approach. We will scope out the potential for working with the Cellule Infrastructures (CI) as a quasi roads agency with a view to delivering long-term institutional impact. In this model, CI would oversee the procurement of contracts with the local private sector, with OdR providing the engineer role of quality assuring works and approving the release of results-based payments. We will also consider whether the project manager should sit within CI. In either case, a provincial CI office may need to be set up for the first time. We will also consider whether a pooled fund approach to roads in eastern DRC, such as using the Stabilisation and Recovery Funding Facility (SRFF) as set out on pp. 23-24, would be feasible and sustainable and would allow burden sharing and reduced overheads. We will discuss the SRFF with other ISSSS donors and consider the case for routeing our finance in this way. The proposed option would allow us to balance the unique ability of UNOPS to deliver rapidly and build on existing relationships, with the increased competition and therefore VfM of a private sector approach. We should be able to offset the low score of the private sector option in terms of commanding the provision of security by using UNOPS’ comparative advantage in this area for all programme roads given their involvement in the works on one road. 33 MOU International & Multilateral Model Lesson learning and information sharing between the two approaches will allow us to use the comparative advantages of each to improve the other. If the bids from the private sector for the project manager are low quality, we have the option of asking UNOPS to step in on any or all of the other roads. The proposed option has been selected because we do not yet know what works best, and which approaches will prove more and less cost-effective. The portfolio approach requires us to evaluate and weigh up the different delivery options to feed into future decision-making and to build the local and global evidence base. The programme therefore includes a significant monitoring, evaluation and research element. This is set out in detail on pp. 4243. D. What measures can be used to assess Value for Money for the intervention? VfM for the programme is based on the following measures, against which we will monitor progress during the intervention: Economy and efficiency measures using unit costs: to open the roads to a standard at which 4x2 vehicles can travel at 40 kph, from $10,000/km on sections with relatively unchallenging topography and environment and no bridges, to $80,000/km for mechanised works on difficult sections Effectiveness measures: to be developed as part of the 10-year M&E contract Economic internal rate of return/net present value: 19%/$6.35m at 12% discount rate, as set out on page 12 We have compared these measures to other roads programmes in DRC. At present, the mechanised unit costs are directly comparable to the anticipated unit costs for ProRoutes, though actual figures are not yet available as works are still ongoing. We have also compared unit costs with average costs in Africa, recognising that DRC’s size, topography, security, lack of infrastructure and limited trading relationships mean that costs of inputs are high. Default values for Africa derived from World Bank’s Road Costs Knowledge System are $35,000/km to reopen a gravel road that needs to be fully reconstructed. We will factor the administrative costs of delivery partners into our appraisal of bids. The programme would no longer represent good value for money if average unit costs exceeded $50,000/km or if the rate of return was below the discount rate of 12%. We will build unit cost measures into a results-based contract or arrangement as set out in the Commercial Case. E. Summary Value for Money Statement for the preferred option The preferred option allows for competition to deliver the intervention, which should drive down both unit and administration costs. A competitive tender process should allow us to capitalise on the comparative advantages of various actors through the forming of consortia – offering maximum value for money at the output level by using actors experienced at delivering roads in eastern DRC, and at the outcome level through bringing in expertise to ensure broader results are delivered that are inclusive and sustainable. 34 MOU International & Multilateral Model Commercial Case Removed for reasons of commercial sensitivity until memoranda of understanding/contracts have been agreed. 35 MOU International & Multilateral Model Financial Case A. What are the costs, how are they profiled and how will you ensure accurate forecasting? Removed for reasons of commercial sensitivity until memoranda of understanding/contracts have been agreed. D. What is the assessment of financial risk and fraud? UNOPS is audited under its own Financial Regulations and Rules and manages procurement, fraud and corruption through these and its Staff Regulations. The financial risks and risks of fraud in the sub-contracts let by these organisations may be higher, albeit that these will be significantly smaller financial arrangements. We will mitigate this risk by paying by results, and by ensuring that our implementing partners have sufficient safeguards in place in their sub-contracts. To ensure we have the flexibility to tackle the risk of corruption and fraud effectively, we will review the programme budget during the first annual review to consider the need for independent assurance. E. How will expenditure be monitored, reported, and accounted for? Partners will be required to provide quarterly financial statements and annually audited reports. Partners will be required to maintain an asset register, and as with other roads interventions in DRC we will seek for any assets at the end of the project to be handed over either to other DFID interventions or to Office des Routes or another relevant GoDRC body. Disposal of assets is determined in the rules and procedures of all UN organisations. As set out in the Commercial Case, we will include review points or break clauses in the MoU, which will include a clause covering the identification of fraud. 36 MOU International & Multilateral Model Management Case A. What are the management arrangements for implementing the intervention? The intervention will be implemented through three major DFID-managed contracts or arrangements – with UNOPS, a project manager and the 10-year contractor. In order to manage these relationships and implementing partners’ performance without significantly increasing the requirements on our limited human resource capacity, DFID DRC will continue to engage a technical consultant to support both the Government of DRC and the implementing partners, and to assess progress. The consultant will make quarterly visits to the project sites and partners. The consultant will report progress to the Infrastructure and Environment Adviser in DFID DRC, who will coordinate with the social development, economics, humanitarian, health, education, governance and security advisers in DFID DRC as appropriate. Given the innovative nature of engaging over a 10-year period, and the resource requirements this implies, we will consider, as part of our office-wide thinking on evaluation, how to manage the long-term resource implications of engaging in longer programmes. We might explore, for example, the idea of sector-wide long-term monitoring and evaluation for a number of years after our direct interventions have ended in priority sectors. We will also set up a Steering Committee to govern the programme, which will meet via monthly teleconferences. The committee will include DFID, the Cellule Infrastructures, MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit, UNOPS, the project manager, the 10-year contractor and the technical consultant. If we route finance for the UNOPS arrangement through the SRFF, DFID will have a seat on the board with oversight of the ISSSS as a whole. The contractors and UNOPS will be expected to work closely with MITPR, CI and SSU and this relationship will be captured in all contracts and arrangements. The project manager and UNOPS will be required to work closely with the organisation delivering the 10-year contract. They will need to share information relating to the handover of maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, and the management of long-term and indirect environmental and social management. They will also need to ensure that they build relationships with key partners in coordination with one another, so as not to add transactions costs for government and community partners. Contractors and UNOPS will be expected to engage the beneficiaries of the programme at the community, territorial and provincial levels, through community and territorial authorities, NGOs and religious organisations. They will also be expected to work closely with a range of provincial actors. Contracts and arrangements will set these expectations out in detail. DFID will work closely with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction (MITPR) through the Cellule Infrastructures (CI) to develop terms of reference, select contractors and monitor and evaluate progress. DFID will also work closely with MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit (SSU), including on provision of security and to coordinate with and leverage in other donor programmes, including those in support of the ISSSS. DFID will work across the DFID DRC office and with other donors, and with SSU who in turn will engage with donors to the ISSSS, to build synergies and leverage in other programmes to the zones of influence of the roads. This will include: Asking SSU to work with local and provincial authorities to review local and provincial development plans, identify synergies and communicate and consult with communities on how the roads will help deliver their plans. 37 MOU International & Multilateral Model Working with the DFID-funded Tuungane programme to consult with chefs de secteurs, in particular around the equitable distribution of benefits and women’s employment. Considering whether we can capture any economies of scale from synergies with Pooled Fund logistics cluster projects in the same area. Coordinating with the UN’s new access strategy24. Our support to the upgrading of roads will affect the access strategy, which currently cites specific access problems in the Shabunda area25. It notes that increased access and an increased MONUSCO presence would significantly improve humanitarian access to vulnerable communities in this region. The performance of the programme will be monitored and assessed through the 10-year contract, with ongoing technical support and in-year progress monitoring provided by a consultant to DFID. Contractors and UNOPS will be required to submit quarterly financial and narrative reports, as well as annual reports and annually audited statements. These will feed into the annual reviews and DFID’s project completion report. As set out in Section D below, we will undertake a theory-based evaluation and consider the potential for a research element. B. What are the risks and how these will be managed? DFID will maintain an overall risk register of strategic risks to programme delivery. The contractors and UNOPS will be expected to manage sub-sets of these risks and to report on these quarterly. Risk Lack of security prevents road construction and maintenance MONUSCO mandate is not renewed and nature of drawdown puts the process of stabilisation in doubt Intervention has adverse climate and environment and social impacts that invalidate or outweigh the benefits 24 25 Likeli- Impact hood H H M H M H Mitigating actions Negotiate provision of security with MONUSCO before programme implementation begins. Explore possibility of negotiating MoUs on the provision of security with the permanent elements of the MONUSCO brigades. Require contractors and UNOPS to develop a plan for this and make provision for safe storage of equipment and draw down of works teams. At the strategic level, political/diplomatic influencing to negotiate a phased drawdown with an effective handover to GoDRC forces, and donor support for security. At the programme level, negotiations with FARDC and PNC, including through Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, Office des Routes and MONUSCO, to secure provision of security for the roads. Environmental and social impact assessments have been or are being undertaken for all roads, and we will finance social and environmental management plans with 15% of the works budget. Through the 10-year contract we will work closely with the Ministry of Environment and other key governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as communities. We will require the contractor to review the ESIAs and SEMPs and establish, implement and adapt to ground realities a credible management plan. We will ensure that international best practices and lessons learned in road construction are adopted, including around the spread of HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, economic and sexual exploitation, threats to social Currently in draft. Draft Strategie D’Access, OCHA Ibid. p.14 38 Residual risk High/ medium Medium Medium/ low MOU International & Multilateral Model Extreme climatic events/climate change undermine sustainability of roads M H Intervention worsens conflict or promotes rent-seeking M H Lack of private sector capacity M M Cost overruns, including through exchange rate fluctuations M L State and NGO service providers do not respond to improved access and security L M cohesion, and risks of conflict. We will require the 10-year contractor to develop a risk analysis of expected road crash death and injury scenarios. An effective ongoing maintenance system should cope with all but the most extreme of climatic impacts. The programme will build the capacity of government to take on the financing and management of a sustainable maintenance system. The decision to run the programme over a 10-year period allows us to provide continued capacity building and in-kind support, as well as to backstop finance if the government system faces unforeseen difficulties. The budget has been set to allow for this. We will ensure that technical standards draw on best practice for wet environments to increase the climate resilience of the roads. We will require implementing partners to monitor and mitigate rent seeking and natural resource exploitation; to develop an effective communications strategy to inform and consult with local communities; and to ensure that equitable benefits reach the different communities along the roads. We will work with MONUSCO to ensure that complementary ISSSS security plans are delivered to manage any risks to communities. Through DFID DRC’s monitoring and evaluation secondment to MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit, we will ensure that progress towards security objectives is effectively monitored and that this includes community perspectives; the need for civil-military relations initiatives to promote civilian protection is assessed and initiatives are put in place as necessary; MONUSCO fulfils their obligations to undertake patrolling and provide security guarantees; and that local level conflict analyses are undertaken and inform the development of local level peace-building activities. We will request SSU to monitor the impact of rent seeking upon economic activities and community security, whether government fulfils their commitments to increase the presence of the state, and community perceptions of security. We will require the project manager and UNOPS to develop a proactive local private sector development strategy to identify and address market failures – including an assessment of the market, training of SMEs, pre-qualification, management and supervision. We will require UNOPS and the project manager to build a price escalation clause into the construction contracts to cover increases in costs, and to identify key input costs and monitor these throughout their projects. While DFID will face an exchange rate fluctuation risk, we judge that this is a manageable risk compared to the alternative of asking the contractor to assume the risk, in which case an additional premium will be added to the cost of the contract. If we choose to use the SRFF for the UNOPS arrangement, we will have increased control over spending forecasts and exchange rate fluctuations for this element of the programme, since we would contribute to a trust fund. The programme includes a significant influencing element to leverage in service provision and other programmes. We will work across DFID DRC to ensure that synergies are built with other elements of the programme focused on governance and basic services. Medium/ low Medium/ low Medium/ low Low Low As set out in the financial case, to ensure we have the flexibility to tackle the risk of corruption and fraud effectively, we will review the programme budget during the first annual review to consider the need for independent assurance. 39 MOU International & Multilateral Model C. What conditions apply (for financial aid only)? n/a D. How will progress and results be monitored, measured and evaluated? Monitoring The programme has a strong focus on monitoring implementation according to plans, particularly because we learnt from Phase 1 and from other interventions in the roads sector that while delivery of the ‘hardware’ of previous interventions has been satisfactory, considerable improvements need to be made in terms of speed of implementation, provision of security and the delivery of the social and environmental elements. Monitoring will therefore include measuring activities as well as outcomes. There are opportunities for innovative partnerships to help us with M&E. CARITAS were also open to the idea of assisting us with collecting data on prices in villages as part of our M&E work, and we will explore further the possibility of using NGO partners in this way through the UNOPS and private sector arrangements. Evaluation As set out in the theory of change section on pp. 7-9 and in Annex A, we have identified a number of gaps in the evidence and in the theory underpinning the impact of roads and stabilisation efforts in DRC. The programme therefore includes a baseline study, evaluability study and theory-based evaluation, which we will ask the 10-year contractor to design and undertake. The evaluability study will test and clarify the theory of change, draft evaluation questions in consultation with beneficiaries and other stakeholders, and consider the most appropriate theory-based evaluation approaches to undertake a robust assessment. The theory-based evaluation will provide a systematic and cumulative study that allows us to test the theory of change, which will be crucial given how susceptible we believe the intervention is to internal and external changes. It will also allow us to test the logic behind the pathway we have identified to the intervention’s impact, and to refine the logic model on the basis of tried and tested assumptions and dependencies. We will explore the potentially strong crossover between evaluation and research, looking at what the outcomes are, and what the contribution of roads has been. We are keen to know more about the long term effects of roads on outcomes we judge to be stabilisation outcomes, and to assess: what outcomes have been achieved; how the programme has delivered outcomes and outputs; what has contributed to achievement and what has constrained achievement of objectives; what conditions allowed outcomes to be achieved; which approaches have proved more and less cost-effective; what outcomes, positive and negative, intended and unintended, can be observed; how these are linked to, or potentially caused by, programme activity and processes; 40 MOU International & Multilateral Model the complex interdependence of activities and outcomes, particularly in terms of sequencing and relative importance to outcomes; how responses to and efforts to mitigate negative outcomes were managed; what trade-offs between positive and negative outcomes for local populations occur from road building; and the contextual factors that have affected programme delivery, performance and outcomes, especially the risk elements and how actions taken have interacted with the context. To investigate such questions, we will include a dedicated research element in the monitoring arrangements and in the theory-based evaluation strategy. We will decide in the first three months whether, for example, a systematic review of current literature on roads and stabilisation may add greater rigour in the evaluation design phase, and in planning and setting up monitoring systems, starting with baselines. This research element will be built progressively with partners and local communities where feasible to encourage ownership and engagement in any primary research activity and to facilitate wider accountability for the outcomes and processes by which they are achieved. We will consider whether an impact evaluation would be appropriate for the wider ISSSS strategy (through the monitoring and evaluation secondment to MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit, funded from elsewhere in the DFID DRC programme). We will consider within that whether evaluating the impact of roads on stabilisation outcomes performs a good analysis of the whole stabilisation approach. This will be explored and determined with key partners and stakeholders. E. Logframe The theory of change (pp. 7-9) and cost-benefit analysis (pp. 11-13) have generated a significant number of new indicators for which data currently do not exist, or exist but are not easily accessible. The logframe is therefore still in draft, with a significant number of baselines and targets to be confirmed. We will launch a baseline study, either between business case approval and the start of the UNOPS arrangement in April 2011 (in line with the tendering process for the private sector contracts), or as part of the 10-year contract if we judge that the baseline study, the evaluability study and the broader monitoring and evaluation function should be undertaken in tandem and by the same organisation. The range of new data to be included in the baseline study include: Perceptions data – on security, access to services, state presence Effectiveness measures for measuring the VfM of the programme Incidence of road blocks and informal taxes Road traffic deaths and injuries Vehicle numbers, including non-motorised traffic, on all four roads Number of attacks against civilians/number of deaths in security incidents/aggregated security score Average speed on roads or proportion of the four roads on which motorised vehicles can travel at >40 kph Number of days of road closure in last year Cost of transport per passenger km/tonne km Volume (t) of traceable artisanal minerals from centres de négoces in the zones of influence of the roads Average price of basket of imported goods Axle loads, use of rain barriers and how long after rain the barriers stay closed 41 MOU International & Multilateral Model Number of days of work generated, disaggregated by gender, income quintile, demobilised soldiers Volume of bushmeat from protected species Volume of illegal timber Volume of illegal minerals Proportion of roads regularly patrolled by security forces Number/value of other projects/programmes in ZoI We will include strengthening the ISSSS security data in the terms of reference for the DFIDfunded secondee to MONUSCO’s Stabilisation Support Unit. This will include requesting an aggregate security score for North and South Kivu. We will also need to assess whether the impact of the road on economic activities, particularly those related to natural resource exploitation, is having a positive impact upon local communities or posing additional risks. 42