criteria for rca projects v2bw_john f easey

8/3/2019 Criteria for RCA Projects v2BW_John F Easey

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Development of RCA Projects

and Assessment Criteria.

Dr John F Easey


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What are the Procedures for theDevelopment of RCA Projects?


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Articles in the RCA Agreement

Relevant to Development of Projects

Article II (2).

The Meeting of Representatives shall have the authority:

(a) to determine a programme of activities and toestablish priorities therefor;

(b) to consider and approve the co-operative projectsproposed in accordance with paragraph 1 of article III;.

Article III (1).

Any Government Party may submit a written proposal fora co-operative project to the Agency, which shall, upon

receipt thereof, notify the other Governments Parties ofsuch proposal. The proposal shall specify, in particular,the nature and objectives of the proposed co-operativeproject and the means of implementing it. At the requestof a Government Party, the Agency may assist in thepreparation of a proposal for a co-operative project.


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Procedures for Project

DevelopmentThe RCA Member States have agreed aset of Guidelines and Operating Rules thatcover the operation of the Agreement,including the procedures for the initiationof Cooperative Projects and CooperativeResearch Projects (CRPs).

The procedure for Project Developmentwill depend on the requirements of thesponsoring agency.


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Cooperative Projects - Purpose

Designed to meet the needs for development andpractical applications of nuclear science and technologyfor peaceful purposes.

Not primarily research projects but may contain aresearch component.

Enable the RCA Member States to acquire well-established nuclear technologies to address socio-economic development problems.

Provide tangible socio-economic benefits to theparticipating Member States (Impact).

Essential to be in areas of development priorities of theparticipating Member States, who should have thephysical infrastructure and human and financialresources to implement the project activities and tosustain the activities after the project is closed following

completion of the delivery of the technical inputs.


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Cooperative Projects Technical Inputs

The inputs shall be in the form of:

regional and national training courses;

meetings for reviewing the progress of theprojects and planning future activities;

services of experts, and consultants;

award of contracts for specific tasks.

Fellowships, Scientific Visits and supply ofequipment are not input components for RCAprojects.


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Coordinated Research Projects - Purpose

Coordinated Research Projects are essentially

networks of national research institutions which

work within an operational framework for

research on a similar and well-defined regional

theme or problem focus that is relevant to, or

can be resolved through, nuclear science and

technology.


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Determining Project Priorities.


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Guidelines & Operating Rules - Priorities

The following criteria are taken into consideration indeciding on the priorities:

the relevance to RCA Vision and Mission

development needs of individual Member States

(identified through consultations with relevantstakeholders) and the expected impact

commitment at national level to maximize sustainability

potential to benefit from the advantages of usingnuclear techniques

potential for regional cooperation potential for improving the utilization of established

regional networks and resources and value addition toprevious inputs to the project area

Millennium Development Goals


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G&OR Further Refined:

Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy(MTS) 2006-11

Key features Strategic Plan:

Vision Mission

RCA Core Values

RCA Governance Strategic Context

Critical Success Factors


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Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy(MTS) 2006-11

Key features Strategic Directions:

Ensuring Effective Management of the RCA

Achieving Greater Impact for RCA Projects

Developing Sustainable Capacity to Address

Socioeconomic Needs Enhancing Uptake ofNuclear Technologies and

Increasing Visibility of the RCA


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Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy

(MTS) 2006-11

Strategic Context:

Millennium Development Goals

IAEA Medium Term Plan & TC Strategies

Regional priorities and Policies agreed by MSsand new emerging priorities

Development & Income generatingOpportunities

International & National Trends in Nuclear S&T

The need to create, manage, share & exploit our

knowledge more effectively.


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(MTS) 2006-11

Critical Success Factors:

Projects should be needs driven & benefit from regionalcooperation

Projects should be of sufficient size to achieve highimpact and measurable outcomes

High use of regional networks & resources

Build on adequate national resources, infrastructure andexisting programmes

Choose projects where a nuclear technique is high valueadding and technology transfer a major focus

Consistent with MDG and TC Strategy

Ability to attract external funding


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(MTS) 2006-11

Performance Indicators:

More active involvement ofNRs in management of the programme

Achievement of a reduced number but high impact projects aim for

10 projects/year by 2011 Increase use of regional experts & resources in addressing regional

needs aim for 70% by 2011

Increase exchange of information & technologies between RCAMSs need fewer formal TCs

Increased use of electronic networks & enhanced level coordination

within RCA all MSs provide information via RCA website Increase non-IAEA funding for RCA aim to double by 2011

Establish partnerships between RCA and other Organisations atleast 2 by 2011

Increase awareness of the capabilities of RCA in the region recognised by requests to participate in international conference and

donor meetings


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Timing Considerations in theDevelopment of RCA Projects.


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Timing of Key Actions in the Development of

RCA Projects

Activity: Priority areas for the RCA

Programme are decided by theNRs at the NRM

Identification of PLCs for thepriority areas

Drafting of the Concept Papers byPLCCs, in the priority areasidentified by NRs in consultationwith the other stakeholders

Interaction with IAEA on ConceptPapers

Review of Concept papers andassignment of priorities by NRs atthe GCM

Time Frame: NRM held in yearN-2 (for projects

to be implemented commencing inyearN)

At the above NRM

31st of July, yearN-2

July September, yearN-2

September, yearN-2


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RCA Projects

Activity: Submission of the approved

Concept Papers to the IAEA bythe RCA Chair

Screening of the Project Conceptsaccording to TC Criteria and

technical feasibility by IAEA staff

Detailed design of the projectsselected for implementation by thePLCCs in conjunction with IAEATO and in consultation with therelevant RCA Stakeholders.

Review of detailed design by NRsand the NRM

Refinement of the project designsby PLCCs

Time Frame: 31st of September, yearN-2

30th November, yearN-2

December, yearN-2 - February,yearN-1

March / April, yearN-1

April May, yearN-1


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RCA Projects

Activity: Review of project designs,

preparation of budgets, decisionon the projects / project activitiesthat could be supported by TCF.

Final approval of projects by NRs

including discussion of proposedAgency funding

Information on projects approvedby the Board of Governorsconveyed to the Member States

NRs inform the RCA Secretariat ofthe project they wish to participatein along with the contact details ofthe appointed NPCs.

Time Frame: June - August, yearN-1

September, yearN-1

November, yearN-1

31st of December, yearN-1


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Fast Track Procedure for RCARO

DIR-RCARO prepares a Concept Paper according to

the standard RCA format.

Submits this to the Standing Advisory Committee

(SAC) together with a justification for the use of thefast track mechanism.

The Chair SAC consults with the other SAC members

on the suitability of the submission for fast-tracking

and notifies the DIR-RCARO as quickly as possible

and within 1 week of the SACs acceptance orrejection of the use of the fast-track mechanism.


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Fast Track Procedure for RCARO

On acceptance of the use of the fast track option, theDIR-RCARO and the SAC jointly prepare a projectproposal with explanatory text complemented by anynecessary additional materials, and promptlydistribute them to NRs for consideration and comment

by a due date. The NRs will communicate to mutually agree aposition and inform the DIR-RCARO through the SACby the due date.

Should any NRs not respond to the SAC by thisdesignated time, they will be deemed to agree withthe position adopted by the NRs who do respond.

The fast-track decisions will not require formalendorsement at the next NRM following the due date.However the decisions should be appended to theNRM report to ensure full transparency.


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What are the Criteria used toAssess RCA Project Proposals?


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Factors in the Review and

Assessment of Project Concepts Is there a detailed description of the problem or need

that is being addressed?

Are the objectives of the Project clearly stated?

Each Project should have a broad objective and amuch tighter focussed specific objective, which relatesdirectly to the planned outcomes.

Most Projects should have no more that two specificobjectives. More usually implies that there is really

more than one Project being attempted. There should be a clear linkage between the Specific

Objective(s) and the problem/need to be addressed.


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Factors in the Review and Assessment of

Project Concepts (cont.)

Technology transfer should be the major focus of theproject

Does the proposal duplicate efforts being undertaken

using other mechanisms (national projects, non-RCAprojects and other cooperative agreements) or duplicateprevious RCA Projects?

Is it an extension of a previously implemented RCA? Ifso what is the new dimension and is it important?

Is the Project of sufficient size to achieve high impact? Does the Proposal have to have defined and measurable

outcomes?


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What is the nuclear technique being proposed

and does it have demonstrated advantages over

conventional methods ? What makes the concept a good proposal for an

RCA regional project?

Why is it important as an RCA regional project?

What is the potential for TCDC?


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Indicators of Regional Interest, Priorities and

Capabilities:

How many RCA Member States have identified

the concept area as a priority in their CPFs?

How many RCA Member States have national

projects in the proposed area?

Which RCA Member States have theinfrastructure and other resources necessary for

implementation of the project?


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Is the Concept Feasible?

Can the problem/need be adequately addressedthrough the proposed project?

Is the time scale realistic?

Is funding requirement realistic?

Is the nomination of participating countriesappropriate?

Is there sufficient technological capability andcapacity in the MSs and support from theNational Authorities to make the achievement ofsustainability realistic within a reasonable timeframe?


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Some Key Rejection Points

The concept does not meet TC Strategy or MDG or MTScriteria.

No essential nuclear component.

Not needs driven.

Inadequate applicability to RCA MSs stated prioritiesand needs.

Duplicates projects carried out previously or beingcarried out under other mechanisms and arrangements.

Unrealistic outputs/outcomes coming from the proposed

inputs. No major regional cooperation driver.

Low probability of achieving sustainability.

No general commitment at a national level.


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What Key Factors need to be

Considered in the Developmentof the Concept into a Project?


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Further Enhancements in Project

Design Introduced in the 2009-2011

cycle

Improvement of Progress Monitoring

Ensuring all MSs appoint National Teams and

adopt Work Plans

Ensuring nominees for regional events are

members of the project teams

Ensuring availability of national resources forproject implementation

Ensuring sustainability of project outputs and

outcomes


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Factors Enhancing Project

Sustainability

identify and transfer nuclear technologies, which arevalue-adding and address ongoing needs

develop relevant technical expertise in nuclearinstitutions to increase self reliance

provide support for effective regulatory control andsafe and secure use of radioactive materials

introduce mechanisms that provide for continuingexchanges and support to nuclear institutionsfollowing closure of specific projects as part of theproject design

enhance the ability of nuclear institutions to accessfunding from end users


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Adopted Recommendation WG on

Implementation of MTS:

.all projects designs for projects

being implemented in the RCAprogramme for 2007 and beyond

have milestones and performance

indicators.


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THANK YOU!

criteria for rca projects v2bw_john f easey

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