Regional : Delivering Knowledge Solutions in Asia and the Pacific

Project Name

Delivering Knowledge Solutions in Asia and the Pacific

Project Number

49328-001

Country / Economy

• Regional

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

TA 9024-REG: Delivering Knowledge Solutions in Asia and the Pacific

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 1.50 million

Strategic Agendas

• Environmentally sustainable growth
• Inclusive economic growth

Drivers of Change

• Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
• Governance and capacity development
• Knowledge solutions

Sector / Subsector

• Multisector / ADB's corporate management, policy and strategy development

Gender

Some gender elements

Description

Highlighting 'knowledge solutions as a strategic priority, the Midterm Review of Strategy

2020 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) identified the need to strengthen knowledge management to meet the demands of ADB's developing member countries (DMCs) through stronger institutional coordination. This would better capture the knowledge embedded in operations and ensure that the knowledge generated outside operations flows back to shape future operations.1 ADB's midterm review also called for the adoption of a 'One ADB approach to knowledge solutions by closely integrating knowledge operations with country operations. A key means to operationalize this approach is the increased involvement of the recently established sector and thematic groups (STGs) in project development, and preparation of knowledge products and services (KPS) to reflect DMC demands and support ADB operations.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The development issue at the core of this technical assistance (TA) is the need to provide DMCs with more and better knowledge solutions to help achieve sustainable development and manage matters related to environment and climate change. ADB's midterm review recognizes the fast-changing development landscape and that most DMCs have achieved, or are expected to achieve, middle-income status by 2020. For one, DMCs are now more closely integrated and connected thanks to improved infrastructure and information and communication technology. These developments necessitate enhanced knowledge support for ADB's lending and nonlending activities. Further, several events in 2015(i) Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa in July, (ii) adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the United Nations' annual meeting in New York in September, and (iii) the 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris in Decemberhave significantly changed or will change the development landscape in the region, and require ADB to respond better and faster to DMC needs.

The nature of the challenges faced by DMCs continues to evolve and clients increasingly demand Finance++ solutionsfinancing matched with knowledge solutions and faster and better coordinated delivery of knowledge solutions. This evolution is reflected in the areas specified for DMC knowledge support in (i) ADB country partnership strategies, (ii) country knowledge plans (CKPs), (iii) lists of indicative knowledge products and events, and (iv) work plans of the Sector and Thematic groups (STGs). The preparation of CKPs provides a mechanism for more consultations and coordination with ADB's operations departments and its resident missions, and informs the work of the STGs.

Impact

DMCs implementing innovative development solutions and services (ADB's Midterm Review of Strategy 2020, 2014)

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

ADB knowledge solutions are operationally-relevant and demand-driven

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Cross-cutting knowledge products and services

Research and flagship knowledge events

Continuous learning (including 'co-learning ), networking and knowledge sharing events with KHubs, CoEs, DMCs and partner

'Follow-on activities such as training programs utilizing innovative learning approaches

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

- Number of approved projects: 17 projects broken down to 5 TGs (1 Agri, 2 CC&DRM, 1 Governance, 1 RCI and 2 Social Dev); 4 SGs (2 Education, 1 Finance, 1 Transport, and 2 Water); 3 from KSSC (k-portal, Global Think Tank and ALP 2017) and 1 RD (SAUW/SARD)

- Outputs and Activities: completed 21 knowledge services (KS) and 15 knowledge products (KPs)

Geographical Location

Regional

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Regular consultation is done weekly.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

OUTLINE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANTS (DRAFT ONLY)

A. International and National Consultants

1. Individual consultants will be recruited, as necessary, to support carrying out of the STG activities under the TA (e.g., collaborative cross-sector, nexus, and/or cross-cutting work; flagship knowledge events and publications; research to inform future operations; and continuous learning, networking, and knowledge sharing with DMCs, KHubs, centers of excellence, and other external partners). Expertise, scope of work and tasks will depend on the requirements of each such activity. Each consultant will be required to possess the necessary technical expertise and project and/or research experience.

B. Knowledge Sharing and Learning Specialist (National Consultant)

2. A Knowledge Sharing and Learning Specialist will be recruited to help identify and act on opportunities to distill and develop knowledge products and services based on the STG activities supported by the TA.

Scope of Work

3. The Knowledge Sharing and Learning Specialist will assess the TA-supported STG activities and recommend knowledge products and services that can be developed/re-used based on such activities. In consultation with the TA team leader and SDCC-KS, the Specialist will then work with the ADB project officers (including the Technical Advisors and STG secretariat) and any consultant(s) responsible for such STG activities to produce such products and services and leverage their impact, e.g., by including them in existing or new sector and/or thematic training programs, helping to develop case studies, and sharing them on ADB knowledge platforms such as K-Nexus, K-Learn, and K-Portal.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

4. The Knowledge Sharing and Learning Specialist should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in knowledge sharing and dissemination, and designing and delivering learning programs.

C. TA Administration Consultant (National Consultant)

5. An experienced TA administration consultant will be recruited for 12 person months, on an intermittent basis, from 15 August 2015 to 31 December 2016, to ensure smooth and expeditious TA implementation. The consultant will support the TA team leader and other SDCC-KS staff, ADB officers in the relevant STGs and regional departments, and the other TA consultants.

Scope of Work

6. The scope of work will include the following:

a. preparation of the TA implementation plan;

b. TA coordination and monitoring with the relevant STG secretariats regarding consultant recruitment and procurement (if any) carried out by the STGs;

c. administrative support to the international and national consultants as needed;

d. preparation of periodic progress reports and, if needed, assistance for the TA team leader in convening meetings;

e. TA budget monitoring;

f. support preparing TA progress and other reports;

g. ensuring that relevant TA information is published in SDCC and STGs' and Regional Departments' internal and external websites and/or e-newsletters, in consultation with the TA team leader, Knowledge Sharing and Learning Specialist, and STG secretariats;

h. consolidation of inputs required for the preparation of the TA completion report; and

i. performance of any other tasks required by the TA team leader.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

7. The consultant should have at least three years of relevant project administration experience, including preparing logistics and implementation plans; budget preparation and monitoring; preparation of project financial and other implementation reports; preparation of materials to promote and share knowledge (e.g., email alerts, brochures, and website content); organizing meetings, workshops and other events; interacting/networking with ADB units to facilitate TA implementation; and use of standard Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Procurement

N/A

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Kang, Young Uck

Responsible ADB Department

Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department

Responsible ADB Division

Knowledge Sharing and Services Center

Executing Agencies

Asian Development Bank

Timetable

Concept Clearance

28 Aug 2015

Fact Finding

-

MRM

-

Approval

11 Dec 2015

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

29 Sep 2017

Funding

TA 9024-REG