Final Report - Asian Development Bank

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TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 7
B. Detailed Description – Component III: Institutional Strengthening for Conservation of
Biodiversity
337. The Project will support three subcomponents in Component III. These include:
� Project Management and administration
� Institutional Strengthening Programs
� Conservation Replication
338. The outcome of Component III will be effective Project Management and implementation of
the investment program using effective institutional arrangements that support the management
strategy for the Project Area, and the dissemination and extension of lessons learned from the Project
area through other QM programs.
1. Project Management Arrangements
339. The SPG will form a Coordination Commission for the Project under the chairmanship of the
Governor of Shaanxi Provincial Government. The Committee will have vice chairs from each of the
agencies providing counterpart funds and a general membership of representatives from (i) PDRC, (ii)
two from SFB, (iii) Vice mayor of Xian Municipality, (iv) Director of Planning in Finance Department,
(v) SFA, and (vi) CAAS. The commission will be supported by its own office headed by SFB with vice
chairs from PDRC and SFB and will be responsible for high level decision making, policy decision and
conflict resolution.
340. The Shaanxi Provincial Department of Finance will manage the financial transfers and
Project Bank Accounts.
341. The executing agency will be the Shaanxi Forest Department who will be supported for
implementation by PDRC that will form a Project Management Office for the work planning and
administration functions. The PMO will comprise of staff seconded from the Shaanxi Department of
Finance, Shaanxi Forest Bureau, and PDRC. In total the PMO staff levels will be 11 comprising the
Project Director, 7 professionals in financial management, procurement, and engineering, one
translator, and three support staff. The PMO will receive intensive training from ADB on its Project
financial management systems. Each Implementing Agency will form a construction phase
coordination office to oversee Project Administration. Members of these offices will also receive this
training.
342. In addition, ADB PRCM will provide PMO and Implementing Agency staff Project
Administration training programs especially in disbursement and procurement procedures. The PMO
will contract procurement to an existing business specialized in bid preparation and evaluation to
prepare and oversee the procurement procedures.
343. The responsibilities of the PMO will include the usual project management responsibilities in
relation to Project coordination, procurement, financial management of foreign funds, and monitoring,
evaluation and reporting, the PMO as well will coordinate the implementation of the QBCDA strategy
including the management of the GEF grant funds, and will be responsible for overall coordination and
management of the training, human resource development and capacity building plan for the Project.
344. The Project will provide support for office rent, office equipment, and vehicles.
345. Each Implementing Agency shall be responsible for preparing procurement and training
plans. The QNBG requires significant training in the donor procedures relating to project
administration, disbursement and monitoring. In addition to the in country training [provided by PRCM
the Project will fund additional Project Administration training in Project Year one. AN additional Stand
alone TA is proposed by the PPTA however this needs to be agreed with ADB.
2. Institutional Strengthening
346. The Project will support an institutional strengthening program that includes (i) legal reforms,
(ii) training and capacity building.