ACE Impact Projects Updates: COVID-19 Operations Manual Adjustments
Updates to the project's Operations Manual in response to the COVID-19 crisis were discussed during the ACE Impact Steering Committee Virtual Workshop in October 2020. The adjustments include improvements in overview, student flexibility for online courses, results verification modifications, and key actions for the next steps.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
ACE IMPACT PROJECTS - UPDATES TO PROJECT OPERATIONS MANUAL ADJUSTMENTS AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 CRISIS ACE Impact Steering Committee Virtual workshop, October 2020 1
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE OM - OVERVIEW COVID-19 adjustments Updates and clarification on some of the DLIs and verification process Updated eligible activities during covid-19 within the parameters of the project Detailed DLIs/DLRs maximum Milestones formulations submitted by the Centers (following AAU review and WB no-objection) DLR 4.3 DLR maximum amounts for each country and center (already in Financing Agreements) to ensure it is all in one place for reference Updated Implementation Arrangements Disbursement/Funds flow, partnership arrangements (NUC-PIU, AFD arrangement) Communication and contacts under the project to clarify project specificities and contact information Improved implementation support Updated the qualification and expectations for the subject matter experts Included clear deliverables and detailed work arrangements to align with expected activities for upcoming years 2
STUDENT FLEXIBILITY Online Professional Short Course Students Low enrollment of regional students - Regionality rules adjusted for 2020 calendar year Virtual students counted at 50% Student regionality rule waived for Jan-Dec 2020 enrollments Up to number of students projected per student category in DLI table for year 2 Apply student regionality rule back beyond year 2 projections Maximum per DLR still holds (ultimate restricting factor) 3
RESULTS VERIFICATION DURING COVID-19 1. Student enrollment has been delayed this new academic year (in some countries, classes start next January) a. Considering reducing Student enrollment time eligibility from 6 to 3/4 months b. Consideration for another round of verification in mid-2021 (Decision will be based on the results submitted by centers) 2. DLI 4.3 and 7.5 milestone verification within country travel restrictions a. As much as possible online and virtual verification b. Explore using country-based experts for onsite verification of civil works/large equipment 3. List of eligible activities for external revenue updated to include activities related to COVID-19 response a. Contracts for research related to COVID-19 b. Sales from innovative products developed by the centers to respond to a development challenge. e.g. solar-powered handwashing stations with hand-sanitizer/soap dispensers 4
NEXT STEPS KEY ACTIONS DATE RESPONSIBLE 1. PSC endorsed above OM improvements Oct 19 PSC 2. Comments/ feedback from the PSC and Centers incorporated into POM AAU/WB following feedback from ACEs Nov 6 3. Share updated POM in both French and English, along with its link, with PSC and centers Nov 20 AAU 4. Include approved DLR 4.3 formulation Ongoing Next PSC meeting AAU/WB 5. COVID-related adjustments re-assessed PSC 6. Reassessment Project Extension - Decision At-mid-term WB/govts. 5
ONLINE SHORT COURSE VERIFICATION COVID-19 limitations holding on physical trainings Online short course training acceptable under the project Verification process and criteria updated Participation list for each training Guidelines on various meeting applications Meeting App Prepare and share Curricula for the Professional Short Course Course curricula Links to recording of each day s session Online survey administered to participants Recording of sessions Online survey 6
