Decision No. 121/2000/QD-BNN-TCCB of November 24, 2000, Ref establishment of the secretariat for international support group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

DECISION

REF: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to the Decree No. 73/CP of the Government, dated November 1st, 1995, determining function, duty, power, and organisation structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Decision No. 132/QD-BNN-HTQT of the MARD, dated September 22nd, 1999, promulgating the Regulations for managing and utilising external resources that are under direct management of the MARD;

Pursuant to the meeting minutes and as agreed by the Vietnam’s Ministries, Branches and Representatives of international donors and organisations in Hanoi (October 1st, 1997; March 24th, 1997; February 18th, 2000; and May 30th, 2000); and based on the agreement by the donors and the MARD on the Term of Reference for MARD International Support Group (ISG) from July 2000 to June 2002;

In consideration of the proposal of Director General of the Organisation and Personnel Department and Director General of International Co-operation Department,

DECIDES

Article 1- Establish the Secretariat for the MARD International Support Group (ISG Secretariat) in order to implement activities of the ISG-MARD, obeying the direction and work plan that are approved by the ISG Steering Board.

The Secretariat has its own accounts at a bank. It is allowed to use the stamp of MARD in its activities. The ISG Secretariat Office is located at 2 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi (Room 209 and 210, A9 Building). Telephone: (84 - 4) 733 6610, Fax: (84 - 4) 733 6624, E-mail: [email protected].

Article 2- Responsibilities of the ISG Secretariat:

The ISG Secretariat’s activities should undertaken under direction made by the ISG Steering Board. Its responsibilities are as follows:

a- To assist the Steering Board organising and implementing approved agendas, work plans, and tasks.

b- To keep contact with national and international actors.

c- To prepare documents, to make information available for the ISG members, and to organise the meetings of the Steering Board and the Plenary.

d- To assist in coordination of TAG activities.

e- Update database on externally funded development projects (ODA, FDI,…) and other international supports; provide information on ISG activities.

f- To manage the Secretariat’s assets and financial sources for serving ISG’s activities.

Article 3- The ISG Secretariat organisation includes:

+ Secretariat leaders:

- Secretariat Director (also to be Vice Chairman of the Steering Board, Director General of ICD)

- Secretariat Manager

+ Assistants:

- Secretary

- Accountant

- Information Specialist

- Information Assistant

- Driver, clerk, admin assistant ...

+ Thematic Ad-hoc Groups (TAGs):

TAGs are temporarily established, according to well-defined specific topics set by the Steering Board. The

TAGs members consist of national and international consultants.

The Director General of ICD is responsible for the ISG activities; proposing for selecting manager, signing labour contracts depending on necessary work; in charge of the ISG financial management and its all assets.

Article 4- Budget for activities of the ISG Secretariat and the TAGs is contributed by external contribution (donors) and Government contribution as prevailing agreements and regulations.

Cost Norms for activities of the ISG Secretariat and the TAGs must be considered and approved by Vietnamese side and international side participating in the ISG process. ISG accounts must be annually audited by independent auditing companies before drawing the balance obeying the State Budget Law and regulations made by the Government and MoF.

Article 5- This Decision is in effect 15 days after signed.

Article 6- Head of the Ministry’s Office, Director General of the Organisation and Personnel Department, Director General of International Co-operation Department, Director of the ISG Secretariat, Manager of the Secretariat, Heads of the related Units belonging to MARD are responsible for executing this Decision.