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TERMS
OF REFERENCE 1.0 BACKGROUND MARD has played a major role during formulation of CPRGS, as endorsed by the Prime Minister in May 2002, and has now been given a key function - the government focal point- transforming the CPRGS into operations. MARD, as a magnum ministry, is therefore, on the one hand, faced with the development dilemma of providing food, social and economic security to the rural poor and marginalised households, whilst on the other hand act as the prime mover towards increased economic growth through increased agricultural production and productivity in an environmentally sustainable manner. The present ten year Socio-economic Development Strategy aims at eradication of poverty by 2010 whilst maintaining economic growth rates of 6-8% per annum for the period from 2001 - 2010. MARD faces a heavy burden achieving these ambitious targets. MARD established
ISG in 1997 to support and advice ICD particularly and MARD generally
how to coordinate and optimise ODA. ISG has since then established
three thematic working groups to assist with special technical advice
and coordination. In Vietnam, 78% of the population live in rural areas. Moreover, 93% of all poor people in Vietnam live in rural areas. For most poor households agriculture and collection of products from the forests are the major sources of income. The poverty incidence is therefore marked, albeit significant progress has been made during the last decade. Moreover, many families will fall below the poverty line (expressed in available and/or consumed food or per capita income), if faced with sudden problems like; increase in taxes and local fees (some 40% of household income for the rural poor), wedding, celebrations, crop failure, disease, disasters etc. MARD is in front of a number of interrelated and internal challenges to address the complexity of poverty in Vietnam and to assist eradication of poverty as spelled out in CPRGS. Some of the institutional and capability challenges are mentioned below:
MARD will address above challenges in partnership with donors, NGOs, other ministries and provinces. ISG and TAG3 will play a vital role in this process. A brief review
of ISG, including TAG3, was undertaken in April/May 2003 to prepare
ISG and its TAGs to the new challenges and opportunities. The present
updated ToRs are revised in accordance with the findings and recommendations
of the review. 2.0 OBJECTIVES The following is the overall and specific objectives of TAG3: Overall: To strengthen MARD ownership and capacity for effective development and implementation of the CRPGS in the agricultural and rural sectors, including coordination, mobilisation and optimal utilisation of external assistance;
3.0 SCOPE The following is a very brief outline of scope of work for ISG and should be read as a supplement to the objectives listed above. Additional activities can be added in accordance with needs following the concurrence and endorsement of ISG Steering Board. It should also be noted that TAG3's primary functions are to provide advice, coordination and promote capacity building and dialogue, while the bona fide work and implementation responsibility for CPRGS rests with MARD.
MARD plays a prime role in developing and implementing the CPRGS. The first necessary step in this very long process is to identify and clarify; (i) the actual activities, (ii) areas of support and (iii) the magnitude MARD can provide. Some preliminary areas have been identified by ICD: assistance to development of economically viable and ecologically sustainable agro-forestry farming system, development of the extension system, strengthening the research-extension-farmer dialogue, improved rural finance, micro-irrigation facilities, rural accessibility trails, water supply, and many others. One role of TAG3 and ISG will be to advice MARD on exact activities to be covered under the CPRGS and a synopsis indicating which activities will be supported by which donor or other partner. Another step will be to assist MARD in developing planning parameters, progress, performance and impact indicators in accordance with the CPRGS. The step should also consider inputs (advice, funds and projects) from donors and other partners. The planning parameters are needed for dialogue and planning purposes, and the indicators are required for monitoring and evaluation. Effective planning, monitoring and evaluation are vital instruments to facilitate and ensure MARD addresses the rationale of CPRGS.
Another major challenge of TAG3 is to advice and assist MARD and MARD staff to prepare and undergo the necessary institutional changes and capacity building programmes to respond to the challenges of CPRGS. MARD being staff responsible for implementing CPRGS need to have regular and direct contact and dialogue with the poorer segments of the rural population. Moreover, a deeper comprehension of the root causes of poverty, how to communicate with the poor, participatory development, self-reliance, community-based development, grass root democracy, holistic development approaches etc. needs to be developed. TAG3 can accordingly play an important role advising on required institutional measure and outline content of capacity building programmes. The capacity building programmes could likewise include an exposure for officials of the donors and other partners of rural conditions, poverty and typical customs and traditions in rural Vietnam. Parts of this activity could entail study visits to suitable sites in Vietnam. Coordination and policy dialogue within MARD and between MARD and other ministries, donors, other partners and provinces are other important activities requiring active support of the TAG3. The coordination should encompass; (i) sharing of information, (ii) discussions of lessons learned, (iii) review and discussion of on-going and up-coming projects etc. of relevance for CPRGS. The policy
dialogue aims at ensuring relevance and topicality of proposed activities
and interventions under the CPRGS and for donors to adjust on-going
and up-coming support measures to current and changing needs faced
by the rural poor. THE POOR The target group must remain in focus for TAG3. Special efforts should therefore be endeavoured by the participants of TAG3 to participate actively and to undertake relevant site visits as well. TAG3 should also draw upon lessons from the very many poverty studies that have been implemented and to include these into the policy dialogue. It is also foreseen that some impact studies and social surveys might be needed to review causes and effects of poverty and other relevant topics. Draft ToRs will be prepared by TAG3 as per need.
The following is some areas of special attention of TAG3:
4.0 ORGANISATION PARTICIPANTS The following is the participants of TAG3; (i) government ministries with an interest in CPRGS, and (ii) donors and other partners with a substantial current or expected engagement in CPRGS.
The Director General of ICD, or his designate, and co-chaired by a representative from the international donors on a rotational basis, will chair the TAG3 meetings.
Regular meetings are held on a quarterly basis. The chairmen can call for additional meetings, if deemed necessary.
Special sub-committees can be formed to review particular technical matters or areas of special attention.
The ISG secretariat
will assist TAG3 with; (i) dissemination of information, (ii) organise
meetings, (iii) prepare and administer special studies, (iv) assist
with recruitment of consultants and other resource persons, (v)
administer funds and other secretarial tasks. 5.0 FINANCIAL ASPECTS TAG3 prepares annual budgets to be included in the consolidated ISG budget. Considerations will therefore be given to this during preparations to ensure timely and adequate completion.
The TAG3 reports directly to the Director General of MARD ISG, or his designate. TAG3 will prepare minutes, annual reports, project proposals, workshop proceedings, technical reports in close collaboration with the ISG Secretariat. |
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