Jordan - Partnership to Improve Capacity Development

Organization(s): e-Procurement Project / Ministry of Finance

Country(ies): Jordan

Primary thematic focus: Fostering the rise and resilience of middle-income countries

In a Nutshell:
Participants acquired the needed experiences to develop action plan further more an RFP for the implementing of e-procurement was crafted. Furthermore, they realized the need for systematic training, and an institution for purchase and supplies management (JIPS) should be established. The participants organized seminar to launch the (JIPS).

The Story:
In cooperation with UNDP Jordan, Jordan started implementing electronic government Procurement system (eGP) early 2009. During the assessment phase project management notice that government counter part are suffering from lack of Capacity in implementing such complicated system. Implementing eGP capacity is the ability to plan for, achieve, and successfully implement this system. Capacity development is the process through which Implementer acquire and maintain the technical, financial and managerial capabilities to implement successful eGP. All developing countries are currently implementing country-specific capacity development programs tailored to meet their needs. One tool for building capacity is partnership.

Challenges and Capacity Issues in eGP Implementation of eGP are very complicated because of the size and bureaucratic nature of government, in addition to that the public sector does not have the capacity to implement and run such projects. To transform a procurement department into an e-procurement environment requires changes in buying behavior. The vast size and bureaucratic nature of governmental organizations can complicate the implementation of e-government projects. Previous literature have identified and grouped perceived challenges with e-procurement into five categories; i.e., challenges associated with strategic initiative, internal integration, external integration, technological integration, and security issues Actions: Informal Cooperation In order to overcome the mentioned Challenges and capacity issues, a Knowledge sharing program titled “e-Procurement for Good Governance” was planned and conducted in co-operation and financing with World Bank. As one of five countries nominated for participation (Jordan, Moldova, Kenya, Tanzania and Albania), Jordan e-procurement project participated in this flagship program comprised of seven workshops, via videoconference, on e-Procurement as a tool for improving governance. These global-local sessions were developed by the World Bank to provide participating countries a foundation from which to create, implement and manage their own e-Procurement systems or relevant knowledge to take their existing efforts to the next level.

The program seeks to bring together development practitioners from different disciplines, specialists and policy makers to explore: 1) Evidence and learning for policy change, 2) Learning in organizations and among partners, 3) society-wide learning among a multitude of stakeholders. To accomplish this goal, the program connected five countries from different regions and different backgrounds to discuss their experiences with eGP and learn from each other and from global experts (south-south cooperation).

The Program was supported by a dedicated Web portal, which hosted online discussions, a knowledge base and facilitate a community of practitioners among participants. Outcomes The following are summaries the technical, managerial and financial On the Technical level At the end of the capacity development activities: At the conclusion of the first six sessions, participating countries were acquire the need experiences to develop strategic action plans. The last (7th) session country participants had the opportunity to present and discuss their strategic action plans with other participating countries, international experts and World Bank colleagues further more new a state of the art Request for proposal for the implementing of E-procurement in Jordan was crafted by the participants. Furthermore, the participant's realize the need for systematic training, and an institution for purchase and supplies management should be established in Jordan. Based on this training the participant organize--in cooperation with UNDP, World Bank, the Chartered Institute for Purchase and Supplies (CIPS)--a one day seminar to launch the Jordanian Institute for Purchase and Supplies (JIPS), mission, vision, core values, rational and strategic goals are established.

Results and Critical Factors:
The following are summaries the technical, managerial and financial On the Technical level At the end of the capacity development activities. At the conclusion of the first six sessions, participating countries were acquire the need experiences to develop strategic action plans. The last (7th) session country participants had the opportunity to present and discuss their strategic action plans with other participating countries, international experts and World Bank colleagues further more new a state of the art Request for proposal for the implementing of E-procurement in Jordan was crafted by the participants. Furthermore, the participant's realize the need for systematic training, and an institution for purchase and supplies management should be established in Jordan. Based on this training the participant organize--in cooperation with UNDP, world bank, the Chartered Institute for Purchase and Supplies (CIPS) a one day seminar to launch the Jordanian Institute for Purchase and Supplies (JIPS), mission, vision, core values, rational and strategic goals are established. On the Managerial level, concrete suggestions on effective management of an eGP were obtained. On the Financial level, based on the delivered Action Plan communication was established with the World Bank in order to obtain grant to implement this strategic project and to support the establishment of JIPS.

Name of Primary Contact Person: Dr. Hussein Hiyassat

Title of Primary Contact Person: Project Manager

City: Amman

Image: e-procurement_Jordan.JPG