Project management

Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter - MDDIAI RK) is the Implementing Agency for the Project. The MDDIAI is responsible for supervising overall project implementation and providing strategic oversight of the implementation of key Project activities.

A Project Steering Committee (PSC) is established for organized implementation of the Project. PMU works under the overall guidance of the PSC composed of members of the main entities facilitating implementation of the project.

The functions and composition of the PSC are approved by relevant order of the MDDIAI Minister. The scope of work of the PSC, among others, includes: 

1) approval of the Project Operations Manual, annual plans for project activities, project budget, and Procurement Plan of the Project;

2) analysis and evaluation of the Project implementation based on monitoring indicators, as well as regular review of project M&E data to determine progress and make adjustments for MDDIAI's consideration to ensure satisfactory achievement of the end of the project outcomes;

3) review of the Project progress, monitoring of the reforms in the field of innovations and strategic decisions on the Project implementation on the basis of the information provided by Working body;

4) review of the issues on improving the Project implementation, including coordination between stakeholders and consensus building on issues related to the implementation of the Project;

5) providing the strategic management for MDDIAI.  The PSC must be composed of, inter alia, representatives of the Department of Finance of the MDDIAI, Legal Department of the MDDIAI, Director of the PMU chaired by the Vice-Minister of the MDDIAI in charge of the Project implementation.

The Working Body of the Project is the Innovation Ecosystem and Scientific-Technical Development Department (IESTDD) of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MDDIAI RK), which acts as the working body on implementation and execution of the decisions of the PSC, as well as be held responsible for the operational and financial management of the Project to ensure the diffusion of the relevant experience and results gained during the Project implementation across NIS RK.

The International Science and Commercialization Board (ISCB) provides guidance related to all scientific matters associated with the Project, including the selection of proposals under the SSGs and JRGs, PhD research and training grant program within the framework of Component 1, and consultation in selection of applicants for productive sector consortia grants and inclusive innovation consortia grants under Component 2 including the monitoring of  scientific progress and achievements of the sub-projects of grant programs. Rights, roles and responsibilities of ISCB are defined in the Statute on ISCB developed on acceptable conditions for the World Bank and is an integral part of the POM.

ISCB includes at least 5 but not more than 9 experts:

up to three (3) international scientists, up to two (2) international experts in venture capital / technology commercialization, one (1) international expert on establishment of technological consortia, one (1) international expert on inclusive (social) innovation and up to two (2) national scientists/technology commercialization/innovation consortia experts with international work experience, commercialization and also experience of projects’ administration and development of grant programs for the commercialization of the results of scientific and technical activities. Detailed Terms of Reference for applicants were developed by MOES on acceptable conditions for the World Bank before the start of the selection.

Selection of ISCB members

ISCB members were selected by MoES jointly with the World Bank which allowed to attract highly qualified scientists from around the world and ensure the transparency and efficiency of selection.

MoES has formed a pool of experts - potential members of ISCB The World Bank assisted MoES in searching for candidates to ISCB. The main candidates for membership in the ISCB are scientists represented by well-known international scientific organizations or outstanding specialists in the field of venture capital and / or technology commercialization. The lists included scientists from a range of technologically advanced countries, including Europe, North America and Asia.

After reviewing the candidates' profiles from the shortlist, the PSC MoES selected three (3) foreign scientists, two (2) foreign venture capital/technology commercialization experts, one (1) international expert for technology consortia establishment, one (1) international inclusive (social) innovation expert, two (2) national experts and submitted the shortlist of the selected candidates and all corresponding materials to the World Bank. The scope of the ISCB members' scientific expertise did not overlap.

Candidacy for vacant positions of ISCB, or in case of termination of the contract with ISCB member, is selected by IESTDD MDDIAI among the above-mentioned pool of candidates, which can be supplemented and is subject to mandatory approval by the World Bank.

ISCB Statute download

Order on approval of the ISCB Statute download

Project management unit (PMU) is be responsible for day-to-day project administration. PMU responsibilities include:

• procuring the specialists who will administer the implementation of programs to be supported by the project;
• overseeing procurement of all goods and services required by the Groups, and other entities to be established under the project to ensure that the procurement procedures comply with all applicable World Bank rules and regulations;
• organizing the competition to select Groups, Consortia, ESVC Fund, Innovation Brokerage Team, Technology Transfer Offices and other entities competitively selected under the project;
• liaising with the Steering Committee, IESTDD and the ISCB, bringing matters to their attention where appropriate, and implementing their decisions;
• carrying out project M&E activities;
• ensuring that individual project activities comply with all applicable World Bank fiduciary and environmental requirements; and
• liaising with the World Bank for routine, day-to-day implementation of legal, procurement and financial management matters.

PMU manages FPIP in accordance with the detailed rules and procedures agreed upon with the World Bank and described in this POM, as well as the recommendations contained in the World Bank Aide-Memoires.

PMU consultants involved in the Project implementation are selected according to the WB procedures of the Consultant Guidelines. According to the structure of PMU pre-agreed with the World Bank, key consultants of FPIP PMU are selected, hired and dismissed upon agreement with the World Bank.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT SPECIALISTS