Professional ethics

Jahid Hasan
Assistant Professor, Dept. of IPE, SUST
 Definition of Project Proposal and Concept Note

A project proposal is a detailed description of a series of activities aimed at

solving a certain problem.

The proposal should contain a detailed explanation of the:

• justification of the project;
• activities and implementation timeline;
• methodology; and
• human, material and financial resources required.

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instructions for the preparation of the Summary page:

• Project title:
• Name of implementing agent(s):
• Project location:
• Proposed starting date:
• Project duration:
• Amount requested from Voluntary Fund (US$):
• Government inputs:
• Implementing agent inputs:
• Other donor inputs:
The Project Proposal has five sections:

I. Background and justification of the project

II. Objectives of the project
III. Expected results of the project
IV. Project implementation and management
V. Project budget
 BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
 
I. This section should provide a brief • What kind of assistance the concerned
introduction to the current social and Governmental offices will provide
economic situation related to the • What kind of resources the
geographic region and beneficiaries of Implementing Agency and other non-
the project. The background should also governmental organizations will provide.
describe:
• If a non-governmental organization has
• The problem or critical issue which the prepared the proposal, it is important to
proposal seeks to resolve describe how concerned Governmental
• How the proposal relates to other officials were made aware of and/or
relevant national development strategies were involved in project formulation.
and policies • Finally, the section should describe the
• Whether there are other programmes relevant experience and capabilities of
and activities which will complement the the project Implementing Agent, and the
proposal type and level of resources that the
• How the need for the project was Implementing Agent will provide for
determined project planning, implementation
management and follow up.
• How intended beneficiaries were  
involved in project identification and
planning
 II. OBJECTIVES
 
A. Development objectives  • This section should describe what the
• This section should describe the way in project is expected to achieve in terms of
project objectives are addressed in effects among intended beneficiaries.
national development strategies and Specifically, the section discusses what
policies, in terms of specific programmes changes are expected to occur among
and how the proposed project will relate intended beneficiaries if project
to these strategies and policies. operations are successful. Changes can
include new and improved technical skills
• The discussion should indicate the and knowledge, increased income-
specific national social and economic generating capacities, and greater public
objectives to which the proposal, if awareness at the community, national,
successful, is expected to contribute, and regional or international levels.
how this is expected to contribute to
improved well being and livelihood of the • The section should also discuss whether
project beneficiaries and the larger project operations will be extended to
community. other locations, as well as whether the
experience can be applied to other
B. Immediate objectives sectors.
 III. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
A.  Expected project results • This section describes who and how many
• This section should describe the overall results people are expected to benefit from the project,
that the project is expected to accomplish and both directly and indirectly. It should also
whether there may be unintended effects of the discuss how intended beneficiaries have been
project, and how these possible challenges will involved in project design, and their expected
be addressed. role in project implementation and evaluation.
• The discussion should indicate in quantitative D. Implementing agent management of project
terms, to the extent possible, what the project • This section should describe:
will produce through its planned activities and • Who will be responsible for planning and
budget. management of project operations as well as the
B. Project activities and work plan roles of other bodies and organizations
• This section should describe how each associated with the project?
immediate project objective will be carried out in • What arrangements will be established to ensure
terms of planned activities, their timing and that there will be effective coordination with
duration, and who will be responsible for each other relevant programmes and activities?
activity. This can be summarized in a simple • This section should also discuss whether project
table. operations are expected to continue, or expand
C. Project Beneficiaries to other areas or sectors, once the current phase
of assistance is completed. This could include
plans for introducing self-financing provisions to
ensure continued viability of operations on
project completion
IV. PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• This section should discuss proposed mechanisms and procedures for

monitoring of project operations to ensure that activities occur as
planned, that they remain directed towards stated objectives, and
that appropriate corrective action is taken if required.
• 
• Specifically, the discussion should indicate who will be responsible for
preparing periodic project progress and final technical reports and for
the accounting of expenditures, to be submitted to the UN Voluntary
Fund on Disability. All projects need to be evaluated on completion.
This section should also identify the party who will responsible for this
task, as well as how intended beneficiaries will be involved.
 V. BUDGET

• Consultants: for personnel working for less

than six months on the project. Job
• The budget for the UN Voluntary Fund description/Terms of Reference should be
should be prepared in U.S. dollars. An included in project document.
additional budget should be prepared to
describe the budget components to be • Administrative Support: for clerical and
financed by Government, Project related support tasks. Please note that
Implementing Agent and other parties financing of project support personnel is not
participating in the project. a priority for the UN Voluntary Fund.
• A description of the budget line items (with • Official Travel of Project Personnel.
internal classification codes) are: • 1 National Professional Project Personnel.
Project Personnel: Job description/Terms of reference should
be included in project document.
• The resources of the Voluntary Fund can
finance project personnel specialized
needed to plan and carry out the project or
specialized consultant services required to
accomplish a specific project objective.
Salaries and consultancy fees should be
reflective of local prevailing conditions. The
UN Voluntary Fund does not prioritize
projects with high personnel costs.
 Subcontracts:   • Non-expendable equipment: items of equipment
• This component pertains to specialized services valued at US$400 or more or which have a
provided the project by an outside contractor. serviceable life of five years or more. NOTE:
Each subcontract will require a separate budget Normally, the resources of the UN Voluntary Fund
line; subcontractor terms of reference should be will only support acquisition of equipment needed
attached as an annex to the project document. for training or applied research.
Training: • Premises: The Voluntary Fund will not fund costs
for premises (construction, rent, utilities). This line
• Group training and study tours: organized item should only be used to indicate any
training programmes and study tours conducted contributions from other donors, the Government,
outside the country of the project; group training or the Implementing Agent.
normally does not exceed two months and study Miscellaneous:
tours normally are one month or less
• In service training: cost of individual and group • Operation, Maintenance and Repair of
training organized and conducted in the country of Equipment: operation and maintenance of project
the project. equipment that cannot be covered by the Host
Government or the project Implementing Agent.
Equipment: • Publications and Report Costs: report costs,
• Expendable equipment: items of equipment, which may include the reproduction of a
supplies or training materials valued at less than reasonable number of copies of project technical
US$400. and final reports.
• Sundry and Communications: official postage,
communications and incidental supplies.