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Module 04: Collecting Information
4.3. Who collects the information?
Consumer or community assessment specialists
Technical expert (Engineer)
Financial analysis specialist
Relevant key staff of the municipality
Municipalities often lack the full skills and expertise needed to analyse
and collate information from various stakeholders. They may also be unable
to put together a terms of reference to enable the employment of a consultant.
Guide steps to engaging consultants to conduct the assessment include
the two listed below.
Development of terms of reference for the initial assessment
Municipalities could seek the advice of key individuals in
the national government or they may put out an advertisement
for a consultant to assist them in developing the terms of reference
for the assessment of the existing situation. The expected output will
include:
◊ terms of reference for the information collection; and
◊ draft letter of invitation.
Development of expertise needed for the collection of information
Although it is advisable to get consultants with specialities
in various areas, it could be expensive and the municipality
may not be able to afford it. However, it may not be necessary to get
consultants for every individual area. It is advisable that some key
municipal staff members work as consultants to facilitate skills transfer
and capacity development. The key areas where those staff members may
require specific expertise include:
◊ technical assessment – to assess the technical assets and services
of the utility or agency;
◊ legal/financial analysis – to review the existing legal and
legislative framework and documents, and to assess the current
financial state and performance of the utility and/or agency; and
◊ social/community/consumer assessment – to conduct a study of
consumers (including perceptions and willingness/ability
to pay) in the current and proposed service areas and to assess the impact of
proposed private sector involvement on the poor.
In addition, research institutions and academia could help
to collect and find the relevant information. Graduate
students are often willing to collect information for the
experience they get from the working on the project. Nonetheless,
experienced professionals should perform the more sophisticated consultant
tasks, such as providing technical and financial advice.
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