Linpico News and Job Opportunities

On April 22, we celebrate International Earth Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009. This day reminds us that our planet and its ecosystems constitute the common home of humanity. Protecting our Earth is essential to improve people’s living conditions, combat climate change, and prevent the collapse of biodiversity.

With this in mind, Linpico is actively engaged in implementing various projects that support ecological development, the green economy, protected areas and fragile ecosystems protection, as well as sustainable production and consumption.

Here are some of our current initiatives:

Final evaluation of the European Commission Management Support Program for the Protected Areas and Fragile Ecosystems of Chad (APEF). (2024 – 2026)

Monitoring European Commission Budget Support for Ecological development in the agriculture and forestry sectors in Morocco (2023- 2026)

Evaluation of the second phase of the AFD’s Green Economy Policy-based loan programme in Uzbekistan (2024 – 2025)

Development of comprehensive guidelines and capacity building on green budgeting and tagging in Mauritius AFD project. ( 2024 – 2025)

Circular Economy – Promotion of Sustainable Production and Consumption Patterns in Ukraine European Commission project (2023 – 2024)

Since 2023, Linpico is consortium leader for the AFD 2023 framework agreement – Lot 01 – Capacity building in financial governance.

Within the framework of this agreement LINPICO has recently successfully carried-out the evaluation of the joint Green Economy Programme between the Agence Française de Développement and the Government of Uzbekistan.

We wish to thank the regional and local representatives of the AFD, the Uzbek Ministry of Economy and Finance, and our evaluation team for a fruitful collaboration.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patrick-blin-ba3a9149_evaluation-should-not-be-a-bureaucratic-activity-7295070825756385281-wtMn?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAiJUpwBM7JEsouQ40h-kVrXXEJPEsfTtkY&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link

In the context of a budget support operation for public policies, aimed at implementing the District Development Plan (PDD) “Bogotá Camina Segura 2024-2027”, a Public Financial Management (PFM) assessment of the Bogotá Capital District (BCD) was carried out, on behalf of and with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD), limited to a group of indicators from the PEFA methodology for Subnational Governments (May 2022). Likewise, based on this assessment, which was agreed to be called “PEFA Light”, a Fiduciary Risk Analysis (FRA) was carried out, in accordance with the AFD’s fiduciary risk assessment doctrine for budget financing committed in foreign States (March 2021).

The main objective of the work was to examine existing local PFM dynamics, including auditing and procurement management rules and practices applicable to Colombian local authorities, and in particular to the DCB.

The work, under the direction and supervision of LINPICO SARL, was carried out with success by an international consultant specializing in public financial management assessments using the PEFA methodology and in ARF.

With the aim of improving the effectiveness of public finance management (PFM) in STP, the government has developed a PFM reform strategy (ERGFP) for the 2020-2023 horizon, structured into 8 specific objectives and 8 operational programs and which will be implemented as part of its second Public Finance Reform Plan (PARFIP II).

This project provided the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe and its sectoral technical ministries with advice and technical assistance (TA) to achieve the objectives of the ERGFP, through the provision of 2 experts, in support of the Office of public finance reforms (GARFIP) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Blue Economy (MFPEA), over the period 2021-2023. The operationalization of the AT was carried out thanks to the work carried out by the 2 Linpico experts.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 electoral process, the TA has always been The TA carried out all the activities planned in the initial Project Activity Plan and supported GARFIP in the following areas :

• Define/clarify the modus operandi of the reform, including the implementation plan of the Action Plan for Public Finance Reform (PARFIP II) and the preparation of a PFM reform implementation manual (MIR), which covers the execution of activities at all levels. /entities involved, including the organization and operationalization of the Reform Steering Committee (CD);
• Harmonize interventions and financing of PFM reforms, through the structuring, organization and support for the functioning of the Dialogue Body (DI);
• Adapt/revise the legal provisions of the reform process and the subsequent governance structure of GARFIP and other relevant entities;
• Update PARFIP II, define reform priorities and develop a scheduled action plan, allowing monitoring of the plan at the end of each year;
• Train and empower employees involved in the reforms, using training modules in key areas of PFM and project management;
• Support GARFIP in the development and operationalization of a monitoring and evaluation (M&A) system for the implementation of PFM reforms, including the development and use of the quarterly and annual reporting template on the implementation of reforms;
• Support GARFIP in leading the coordination of the GFP working group (dialogue body), in the process of implementing the reforms provided for in the action plan and its monitoring;
• Provide ongoing support upon request of GARFIP;
• Develop and implement Quick Wins , to achieve the success indicators of the ERGFP 2020-2023, that is to say the improvement of a maximum of 10 performance indicators;
• Prepare and submit to the MPFEA (December 2023), the new ERGFP reform strategy 2024-2027, with its activity plan – PARFIP III;

Linpico appeals to everyone’s generosity to contribute donations to the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute to help the victims of the floods.

PLEASE DONATE USING THE FOLLOWING LINK : Flood relief – Inundações no Acre | Doare

LINPICO focuses particularly on issues impacting on the environment and climate change, not only in its international development activities, but within its company itself and from a global perspective.

As such, Linpico is interested in the activities of associations and institutions such as the Yorenka Tasorenti Institute, “an indigenous-led institution in Brazil that integrates traditional knowledge with modern technique as a response to current planetary challenges. Their work is focused on regenerating and preserving the Amazon Rainforest to guarantee a future where all living beings can live in harmony with nature”.

Their work focuses on recovery of degraded areas, regenerative natural ecosystems, wildlife conservation, sustainable social solutions, education and community, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.

Their founder Benki Piyako is an indigenous, political and spiritual leader from the Ashaninka tribe. He began his reforestation and community-building projects in 2007. Along with his team he has accomplished the following:

• 40 nearby communities trained in agroforestry systems impacting more than 4000 people in the region
• 60+ young leaders trained in agroforestry and actively participated in major reforestation efforts
• Over 2 million trees plantes
• 26 fish ponds created to develop pisciculture systems where fish are fed with only natural foods and avoiding intensive fishing
• 1000+ people treated through traditional means
• Initial animal conservation: 15000 turtle’s, 250 turoises, monkeys, pigs and tapirs
• Creation of 800 beehives, home to 80 000 bees
• Asssiting in the revival of traditional heritage of indigeneous tribes that had lost touch with their cultural practices through colonization

For more information on the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute visit their website: https://yorenkatasorentsi.org/

Unfortunately, after facing dramatic fires in August and September 2023 which devastated over 1330 hectares of rainforest, which will necessitate more than 5 years of replanting,  from last week the state of Acre in Brasil Region has been facing violent floods, with a catastrophic impact on all the work that has been undertaken by the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute.

The people in Acre have been severely affected. The Government of Acre declared a state of emergency for 17 municipalities, including Marechal Thaumaturgo, affected by flooding from rivers and streams this past Sunday (February 25th).

The riverside inhabitants, in particular, face widespread devastation. Their fields and fish ponds, a source of food and livelihood, have been completely submerged by the waters. Families do not have access to food or electricity. Approximately 20,000 people are affected of which 2,000 have lost their homes and belongings. It is a desperate situation for the community

Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute is raising money to support the Asheninka people and Linpico appeals to everyone’s generosity to contribute to this worthwhile cause.

Please also consult the Arte Television series of documentaries: “The guardians of the forest”  : 

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/RC-024524/gardiens-de-la-foret/

We are very happy to announce that Linpico has been selected to lead 3 Lots of the Framework Contract of the European Union for the Services for External Action (SEA 2023): Lot 6 (Budget Support, PFM, DRM and Statistics), Lot 14 (Migration and Forced Displacement), and Lot 16 (Intervention-level evaluations). We will also be a partner on 3 other lots. We are incredibly proud of our team who managed this impressive success.

We will now be expanding the FWC Department to respond to the increased demand coming from leading two more lots than on the EU SIEA 2018 FWC, where we led Lot 5 (PFM and Budget Support). If you would like to join us in this exciting moment, to continue building our FWC project portfolio, please send your CV to [email protected]. We are looking for project managers with proven success in winning EU-funded development projects, FWC are an advantage.

We would like to also thank our partners, for trusting us to lead our consortia in this endeavour, and for their inputs and patience throughout the whole process. We look forward to working with all of you.

The PATF now has a revamped and fully operational website. The official launch took place on June 15, 2023, during a hybrid ceremony that brought together in-person speakers and online participants. This marks a significant milestone with a platform for sharing information and best practices in tax management.

The website can be accessed at the following address: www.patf-ao.orgn 

In conjunction with this launch, it is worth noting that digital tools have been created as part of the Program’s communication efforts. These include: a  Facebook page, a Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, and a YouTube channel.

The goal is to reach specific target audiences through each of these platforms.

In order to facilitate effective communication about PATF and following the creation of the communication charter, visuals have been produced. These visuals help with the easy identification of all PATF communication materials, establishing a graphical and visual link between all generated activities and resources. One (1) institutional PATF visual has been adopted, along with six (6) thematic visuals, each with variations in English and Portuguese.

As part of its public communication efforts, PATF has produced podcasts. These are radio broadcasts aimed at introducing PATF, its missions, and areas of intervention, as well as promoting the benefits of sound fiscal practices for the general population.

Listen to the podcasts on the PATF YouTube channel

Following the assessment mission of the CAR’s public finance management carried out by a team of four experts from Linpico from June 2022 to September 2023, the PEFA Secretariat has just confirmed that the Performance Assessment Report of the public finance system management of public finances of the Central African Republic according to the PEFA methodology submitted by Linpico meets all the requirements of PEFA quality assurance and has accordingly awarded it the “PEFA CHECK” rating. This evaluation covered the 2019, 2020 and 2021 budgetary years. LINPICO thanks the experts, the Ministry of Finance and Budget, the CS-REF as well as the Delegation of the European Union and the PEFA Secretariat, for obtaining this PEFA CHECK and the successful completion of this mission.

The Technical Assistance to Fiscal Transition Support Programme in West Africa    managed by Linpico which started in january 2019 and is ending now,

The general objective of the whole project was to support the WAEMU and ECOWAS member states for improving tax management; strengthening measures for tackling fraud, tax evasion and illicit financial flows so as to improve tax revenues; and strengthening the regional and national fiscal transition coordination systems.

Linpico’s team has contributed to the development of regulatory texts intended to consolidate the legal architecture of the ECOWAS customs union and tax harmonisation which have been validated by the ECOWAS Ministers in charge of Finance and Budget during the Ninetieth (90th) Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers held on 6th and 7th July 2023 in Bissau the ECOWAS.

These regulations include :

• Draft Supplementary Act on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters among ECOWAS Member States;
• Draft Regulation amending the list of categories of goods contained in the ECOWAS CET and statistical nomenclature;
• Draft Regulation on the list of exceptions to the Community rules of origin change in tariff heading;
• Draft Regulation establishing an institutional monitoring and evaluation system for the tax transition in West Africa;
• Draft Directive relating to the harmonisation of ECOWAS Member States’ laws on value added tax;
• Draft Directive on the harmonisation of the methodology for the evaluation of tax expenditure in ECOWAS Member States;
• Draft Directive setting out guidelines on the code of ethics and conduct for tax administrations in ECOWAS Member States;
• Draft Directive harmonising the excise duty laws in ECOWAS Member States;
• Draft Directive on the harmonisation of transfer pricing rules in ECOWAS Member States; and
• Draft Directive on the harmonisation of rules on beneficial ownership in ECOWAS Member States.