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> About REPSF > Research Management
Process
In broad terms, the general process for selecting ASEC proposed topics
and managing economic research through the Facility is detailed in six
steps as follows:
Step 1
Identification of Research
Projects |
A broad indication of the potential eligibility of regional
economic policy research submissions for funding by the Facility
is provided by the Research Selection
Criteria. Submissions are welcome from the ASEAN Secretariat
and other relevant ASEAN bodies, as well as from Australian government
departments through AusAID.
It is expected that all research submissions will have an ASEC
sponsor (that is an identifiable “focal point”) within
the Secretariat, to assist with undertaking the research project
once approved. The Secretary-General of ASEC as Convenor of the
Facility is formally responsible for the initial receipt through
the Team Leader/Research Manager of all submissions. Those that
are suitable for funding under the Facility are presented by the
Convenor to the Research Priorities Committee (RPC) and once approved
become part of the Research Program of the Facility.
For more information on this step, go to Submitting
a research request. |
Step 2
Tendering |
Once an ASEC initiated research project is approved, as part
of the Research Program of the Facility, it is tendered. The management
of this process is the responsibility of the Australian Managing
Contractor (AuMC) appointed by AusAID for the Facility. The AuMC
will consult, as appropriate, with ASEC and AusAID during the tendering
process for research projects undertaken by the Facility. Australian
government department initiated projects, once approved by the RPC,
can either be contracted directly by AusAID or be managed by the
AuMC.
In broad terms, the tendering process follows the core policies
and principles of the Commonwealth of Australia’s Procurement
Guidelines (CPG). The overall aim is to achieve best practice procurement
through value for money in the purchasing process. The tendering
process used for specific research projects is determined according
to the associated recognition of the imperative to achieve high
quality research outcomes, the need for efficiency and effectiveness
in the tendering process, and overall cost. A related consideration
is the overall aim of the Facility to obtain an appropriate mix
of suppliers from ASEAN Member Countries, Australia/New Zealand
and where possible researchers from the other EAS participants.
For more information on this step, go to REPSF
Opportunities. |
Step 3
Sub-contracting
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Once the preferred bidder has been selected a specific contract
for the work is arranged using pro forma contracts. The contracts
are “output” based with fixed price “lump sum”
payments linked to the achievement of clear and specific project
milestones. Contracts are made directly between the AuMC and the
selected bidder.
It is expected that sub-contractors will come from ASEAN and Closer
Economic Relations (CER) countries (i.e. Australia and New Zealand).
However they will be encouraged, where relevant, to collaborate
with and include research institutions and/or individuals from all
East Asia Summit participants. In some specialist areas it may be
pertinent for sub-contractors to involve team members, with professional
experience, from non-EAS countries.
AusAID is committed to addressing gender and other cross cutting
issues in the delivery of its assistance. All research studies should
follow AusAID policy on gender, the environment and human rights
and these should be reflected in the agreements for all sub-contractors,
where practical. |
Step 4
Implementation and
Quality Assurance |
The Facility is responsible for closely monitoring the progress
of the research work in accordance with the strategy agreed for
managing each project, and in consultation with the research sponsors.
It is expected that the range of interactions (and possible interventions)
between the Facility, the research sponsors, and contracted researchers
will vary considerably from project to project.
In all research projects, there is expected to be a “draft
final” report stage (perhaps involving a presentation), at
which time there is a focus by the Facility (in consultation with
the research sponsors) on satisfactory “closure” of
the research work. |
Step 5
Dissemination of Research
Findings |
Once the contracted research work is completed, the Facility
(in consultation with the research sponsors) will review and confirm
the intended dissemination strategy for the particular research
findings. The focus of dissemination will typically be on the specific
sponsor agencies of the research, namely the relevant ASEC Bureaus
and Units, other ASEAN bodies, and other stakeholders interested
in the results of work undertaken by the Facility.
Wherever appropriate, the results of regional economic policy
research undertaken by the Facility will be made publicly available. |
Step 6
Research Assessment
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The final step in the overall research management process is for
the Facility (in consultation with the ASEC Sponsor or Working Group
and external evaluator as required) to conduct an assessment of research
projects once they are completed. This assessment should address the
final quality of the work, timeliness of its conduct, perceived value
for money as well as the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the
research undertaken; in terms of both impact and usage. The purpose
of the assessment is both to present the final results of the work
to the RPC for its consideration, and also to assist the ongoing process
of enhancing the outputs of the Facility through ”learning by
doing.” |
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REPSF
II
ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program
The ASEAN Secretariat
Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 70A
Jakarta 12110 Indonesia
Tel. (62-21) 724-3372, 726-2991
Fax (62-21) 722-9028
Email
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
http://www.aseansec.org/
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The Managing Contractor for the REPSF II is GRM International |
