Noticias de otros medios

Organization: UN Human Settlements Program
Country: Spain
Closing date: 30 May 2017

i. Project:

Making Cities Sustainable and Resilient

ii. Duty station of assignment

Barcelona (Spain)

iii. Functional Title:

Programme Assistant for Urban Resilience (Two positions)

iv. Contract type:

Individual Contract (Consultancy Assignment)

v. Duration:

Five (5) months

vi. Closing date for applications:

30 May 2017

BACKGROUND

Fast growing cities and urban areas of the world are engines of growth and wealth accumulation. This growth can have positive social, cultural and educational impacts. On the other hand, evidence demonstrates that fast economic growth, combined with rapid sprawling population expansion in urban areas, also increases disaster vulnerability and exposure. The level of urbanization[1] is far higher in the developed world; however, the annual ‘urbanization rate[2]’ is much faster in the developing world. The primary urban agglomerations with the highest concentrations of people and economic activity mostly overlap with the areas of extreme or high risk related to disasters such as coastal areas, along rivers and in flood plains. This joint initiative with UNISDR, UN-Habitat and the European Commission aims at improving understanding of, and capacity to, address disaster risk at the local level in crisis-prone cities. UN-Habitat will focus on supporting local capacities from crisis-prone cities, and humanitarian partners, in measuring their resilience status and have an action plan in order to build resilience.

The action builds on the achievements of the Hyogo Framework for Action – Building the Resilience of Nations 2005-2015, and paves the way toward the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 at the local level and the New Urban Agenda adopted at Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador October 2016. The Action will also contribute to the European Commission’s Action Plan for Resilience in Crisis Prone Countries 2013-2020 and The EU Approach to Resilience: Learning from Food Security Crises.

The project will work with local government institutions, to plan, coordinate, implement and support the various outlined activities. The primary and most direct beneficiaries will be local stakeholders, city authorities and civil society. Women, children and other at risk groups, often disproportionately affected by crises situations, will be engaged and receive additional attention.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this project is to build more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient cities, by strengthening the capacity of key public, private and civil society stakeholders to measure, make decisions, plan and develop actions for building resilience to ensure that public and private investments are risk-informed and that early interventions in crisis-prone cities are linked to longer-term development goals in line with the actions of the New Urban Agenda. This joint initiative aims at improving local government and stakeholder understanding of, and capacity for, developing and implementing resilience action plans.

The expected results are:

1. Increased commitments to build local-level resilience.

2. Local Resilience and investments measured.

3. Key issues and challenges identified in linking early interventions in crisis-prone cities to long-term sustainable development inputs.

4. Capacity is built in cities and local governments to develop and implement integrated local climate and disaster resilience action plans.

5. Crisis-prone cities have enhanced capacity to develop and implement plans to increase their resiliency.

UN-Habitat will work in coordination with the Commission and EU Delegations in each city to ensure consistency with the EC programming documents and complementarity between thematic and geographic actions; this will also ensure complementarities of activities funded by other programmes and initiatives undertaken by other partners operating at the local level and globally.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and the direct supervision of the Tool Development Expert the incumbent will be responsible for performing the following tasks:

· Analyse the current tool and its related manual. Support its improvement in the methodology and content.

· Support the critical reflections, working sessions and further actions to implement resilience indicators into the programme and tool.

· Support the creation, development and calibration of diagnostic tools – including the City Resilience Profiling Tool (CRPT) and Resilience Action Plan (RAP).

· Analyse the inter-connected relationships between cross-cutting issues and different components and elements of the tool, and support in their further development.

· Support the CRPP Team in facilitating communications with the pilot cities of the programme and partner organisations to inform about the CRPT´s development.

· Inform about the progress, problems and proposed solutions; contributes to the production of global reports, information and communication tools in the areas of intervention.

· Undertake research as requested on standards and indicators for urban resilience, data collection processes, statistics, or related topics to be used by the Programme;

· Support the review, analysis, and compilation of effective initiatives and best practices on building urban resilience or related topics to be used by the Programme;

· Undertake any other auxiliary tasks for the Programme, which are in line with the experience of the consultant.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

Monthly progress report to be submitted at the end of each working month, detailing the outputs, key observations, and work plan for the following months. Work plans will be agreed with the Chief Technical Advisor in advance on a monthly basis subject to the main tasks of the assignment (above) and in consideration of the workload priorities at that time.

DUTY STATION

The work shall be performed from the CRPP Barcelona office.

TRAVEL

If UN-Habitat determines that the individual contractor needs to travel outside the UN-Habitat CRPP Barcelona office in order to perform his/her assignment, that travel is provided by the organisation. When travel is authorized for the individual contractor, economy class shall be the standard of accommodation for air travel in all cases and irrespective of the duration of the journey.

PROGRESS CONTROLS AND PAYMENT INSTALLMENTS

Payment will be done in installments on a monthly basis upon completion and acceptance of monthly progress report. A time sheet must be submitted by the individual contractor, duly approved by the Chief Technical Advisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees. Final payment amount will be based on actual man-days worked for that month.

COMPETENCIES

*Professionalism: *Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to donor relations, public-private partnerships and private sector fundraising. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and the use of a variety of research sources. Ability to organize seminars, consultations, training workshops and special events. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Communication:*** Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Client Orientation*: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.*

EDUCATION

· Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Urban or Regional Planning and Design, Architecture, Development Studies, Engineering, or similar fields deemed relevant to the subject areas covered by the CRPP Terms of Reference.

WORK EXPERIENCE

· A minimum of 1 year of experience in analysing data, indicators or methodologies; in developing guidelines, toolkits or policies for effective urban environments; in assisting the liaisons with private and governmental authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs and in working within fragile urban environments.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

· English, both verbal and written, is required.

· Spanish, French and Arabic will be considered an asset.

OTHER SKILLS

· Knowledge of humanitarian and development fields particularly around environment, climate change, disaster risk reduction, reconstruction, recovery and monitoring and evaluation techniques.

· Ability to work with minimal supervision and with good sense of initiative to keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress.

· Good communications, reporting and presentation skills.

· Good teamwork and drive for results.

Evaluation criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications, work experience and financial proposal. The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial criteria (30%) specific to the solicitation.

CV Review:

• Educational qualifications as defined in the ToR (15 points);

• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience as defined in the ToR (25 points);

• Language proficiency in spoken and written English (10 points)

• Competency based interview max points (20 points)

Maximum available technical score points: 70.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The fees might be subject for changes and negotiations starting from the proposed fee of the consultant. All consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org. General Conditions of contract for the services of Individual contractor can be downloaded from: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=7879

[1] Percentage of population living in cities

[2] Percentage of population moving to cities on a yearly basis

How to apply:

Interested candidates must submit an email quoting the post title and the duty station to the following email address: office@cityresilience.org with the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

• Completion of a CV in P11 Form which can be downloaded at

http://mirror.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=24&catid=435&id=3867 ·

Financial Proposal. The offeror’s letter including form for the financial proposal can be downloaded at

http://unhabitat-kosovo.org/repository/docs/Financial_proposal_IC_6631.docx

The CV shall include information on the past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-Habitat e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org

All applications should be submitted to:

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

City Resilience Profiling Programme

Email: office@cityresilience.org

Deadline for applications: 30 May 2017

UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org >

Organization: Fundación Capital
Country: Colombia
Closing date: 17 May 2017

Proyecto LISTA USAID Mercy Corps

Auxiliar de seguimiento

¿Qué estamos ofreciendo?

En el marco del Proyecto LISTA, Fundación Capital está en la búsqueda de 5 auxiliares de seguimiento departamentales para apoyar a la Unidad de Seguimiento y Monitoreo, con el fin de alcanzar la meta de implementación. Ofrecemos un contrato de prestación de servicios. Los departamentos de intervención son Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Meta, Huila y Tolima y la persona contratada deberá realizar recorridos constantes a los diferentes municipios donde se llevará a cabo la operación del Proyecto LISTA.

¿Quiénes somos?

Fundación Capital (FundaK) es pionera en inclusión financiera e incubadora de innovación para el crecimiento de activos en poblaciones de bajos recursos. Trabajamos para eliminar la pobreza buscando ampliar el acceso a la educación, el capital y las oportunidades productivas. Mediante la alineación con políticas públicas, mecanismos de mercado y avances en tecnología digital, nuestros proyectos le dan la posibilidad a millones de familias en condición de pobreza de vivir sus ambiciones y decidir por sí mismos cómo manejar, hacer crecer e invertir sus recursos (www.fundacioncapital.org).

LISTA aprovecha las economías de escala que permite la tecnología, y el capital social en territorio para llegar a miles de personas de manera costo-eficiente y efectiva. LISTA funciona mediante una metodología de “rotación de tabletas”, en la que una tableta con la aplicación LISTA es pasada de una persona a otra (rotación) para que el mayor número posible de personas se capaciten.

¿Qué estamos buscando?

Tareas y Responsabilidades por el equipo a contratar

Bajo las directrices del e Fundación Capital, el(a) Facilitador(a) deberá:

· Asistir y participar del 100% del proceso de formación.

· Dar cumplimiento al desarrollo del plan operativo y metodológico de la implementación de LISTA USAID-Mercy Corps.

· Apoyar las jornadas de vinculación en las que se busca invitar y motivar a las madres Líderes, voluntarios y/o afines para hacer parte de la implementación.

· Velar por la sincronización y reporte de las tabletas dispuestas por departamento.

· Establecer un calendario de sincronización en conjunto con las madres Líderes, voluntarios y/o afines asignados, con la periodicidad de las sesiones y las acciones de monitoreo.

· Generar los respectivos reportes sobre el nivel de avance de las actividades y componentes, y retroalimentar al equipo Técnico de Operación, en el marco del Proyecto.

· Establecer buenas relaciones con las entidades aliadas locales y regionales, sobre todo instituciones públicas como Red Unidos, Más Familias en Acción, gobernaciones y alcaldías.

· Hacer seguimiento a las fases de aproximación, dispersión, rotación y sincronización.

· Realizar visitas de seguimiento en las zonas donde tenemos población rural dispersa y apoyar especialmente de sincronización.

· Validar el funcionamiento y reporte de datos de las tabletas, previo al envío a campo.

· Garantizar que las madres líderes, voluntarios y/o afines asignados a su núcleo de trabajo efectúen control permanente de la rotación de las tabletas.

· Contribuir desde su rol con los ejercicios de seguimiento y monitoreo de procesos, resultados o de cualquiera de sus componentes en los que Fundación Capital lo requiera.

¿A quién estamos buscando?

Requerimientos Personales

· Persona, comprometida y perseverante, con capacidad de promover confianza y entusiasmo en el equipo, proveyendo la retroalimentación adecuada.

· Persona con buenas capacidades interpersonales que le permiten trabajar fácilmente con la población objetivo y con técnicos de entidades aliadas.

Requerimientos Técnicos

· Idioma: español.

· Habilidades y conocimientos:

o Excelente capacidad de análisis y reportes en Excel.

o Atención y seguimiento de indicaciones.

o Poseer conocimientos y manejo de herramientas informáticas, particularmente, deberá tener excelente manejo en Word y Excel.

● Experiencia laboral:

o Al menos dos años de experiencia en proyectos sociales, comunitarios y/o población en condición de vulnerabilidad.

o Contar con experiencia en el desarrollo de talleres y manejo de grupos.

o Experiencia laboral en la zona de intervención del proyecto.

● Educación: Técnico o tecnólogo en ciencias agropecuarias, económicas, administrativas, contables, humanas o sociales.

● Requerimientos de carácter obligatorio.

o Tener a su disposición un medio de transporte (preferiblemente motocicleta para desplazamiento rurales) para desplazarse en los municipios a su cargo.

o Contar con portátil y Smartphone.

o Plan de internet móvil y minutos ilimitados.

o Conocimiento de la zona.

o Residir en uno de los departamentos anteriormente indicados y estar dispuesto a desplazarse de manera permanente a los municipios.

o Disponibilidad de tiempo completo y para realizar constantes desplazamientos.

How to apply:

¿Cómo puede aplicar?

Por favor enviar su hoja de vida con los soportes correspondientes (certificaciones laborales, académicas) y una carta de presentación concisa en la que se explica: (1) Su motivación para trabajar con nosotros, (2) Por qué sería un verdadero enriquecimiento para nuestro equipo, (3) Expectativa de honorarios y fecha de inicio posible, (4) Dónde ha encontrado nuestra oferta de trabajo. Mandar en 1 solo archivo PDF (Hoja de vida + soportes). Nombre del archivo en MAYUSCULA: HV Primer Nombre y Primer apellido Departamento

Un video vía Viemeo en el que dé respuesta a las siguiente preguntas: ¿Quién es usted? Y ¿Por qué quiere usted trabajar en Fundación Capital? El vídeo debe tener un máximo de duración de 2 minutos.

Tenga en cuenta que sólo se considerarán las solicitudes completas. Envíe su solicitud hasta el 16 de Mayo de 2017 a seleccion@fundacioncapital.org, con el asunto del departamento al que se postula.

No solo fue Berta Cáceres, Amnistía Internacional denuncia que los homicidios de defensores de los derechos humanos, como lo era ella, han pasado de 156 en 2015 a 281 el año pasado. Otros se enfrentan a amenazas, palizas, secuestros…

La región tiene la tasa más alta de crímenes con agresiones, según un informe del BID

La región tiene la tasa más alta de crímenes con agresiones, según un informe del BID

Mujeres supervivientes de trata con fines de explotación sexual trabajan para denunciar la situación de aquellas que todavía no han escapado del infierno

Con medidas sencillas, altamente eficientes y económicamente factibles se contribuirá a mejorar las condiciones de vida de familias en América Latina

Organization: Plan
Country: Panama
Closing date: 04 Jun 2017

The Opportunity

Plan International is changing. We are responding to shifts in international development and humanitarian response to ensure we make a stand for all children’s rights, through a focus on girls and other disadvantaged children. As we embark on this ambitious and exciting journey we are recruiting for a Regional Director for the Americas who will help to prepare, position and strengthen the organisation to achieve long lasting change in children’s lives.

This is an exciting time for Plan International as we embark on a new strategy for 2017-2022. Our global strategy will guide us in our work to support all children but will have a particular focus on girls, who are most often left behind. Over the next five years we want millions more girls to be educated and have their rights to speak up and be heard truly respected. We want to significantly improve adolescent sexual health, increase economic empowerment, achieve greater freedom from fear and protect the most vulnerable from harmful practices.

To deliver this change, we will dramatically transform how we operate, through modernising our operating models, business processes, systems and the way we work together across the federation.

The Role

As Regional Director, you will be responsible for providing leadership to Plan International’s work across 11 countries in the Americas region, ensuring that it aligns with and contributes to Plan International’s global strategy and performance standards.

Plan International is going through considerable change globally and in the region, so key to the role will be the ability to lead and manage change effectively.

You will be expected to strengthen and develop a high performing leadership team in the Region of the Americas, challenge assumptions, promote innovation in our programming, influence and processes, strengthen Plan International’s external engagement, and raise standards in all areas of Plan International programmes, influence and operations in the region.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to take on the leadership of Plan International’s work in an evolving region, ensuring continued relevance and increased impact in fulfilling the rights of children and their communities and strengthening their opportunities for the future.

Do you have what it takes?

To be successful in this challenging and varied role, we are looking for you to deliver on three counts.

Creativity – are you able to come up with new and effective solutions to the problems of the region? Can you spot new opportunities for fundraising and developing our programmes and influence? Are you able to innovate when others around you are merely imitating?

Change ­– can you manage a region through a time of great change? Are you able to lead through transition with confidence, empathy and transparency? Can you role-model the resilience needed to undertake evolving change? Do you understand how to position your organisation to respond to a changing environment and remain relevant?

Coach – can you lead your team to bigger and better things? Can you build the capacity of your staff to respond to ever greater challenges? Can you build and maintain a culture of accountability?

You must be fluent in both Spanish and English both written and verbal.

Behaviours (Plan International’s Values in Practice)

We are open and accountable

Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Location: Regional Office, Panama

Type of Role: Fixed term – 5 years

Reports to: Executive Director of International Programmes

Salary: Competitive Salary plus benefits

Closing Date: Sunday 4th June 2017

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan Internationals Child Protection Policy.

As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe.

We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.

How to apply:

https://career012.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=20281&company=PlanInt&userna…=

José Quishpe representa a 400 agricultores del proyecto Alpaca del cantón Cayambe, en la provincia ecuatoriana Pichincha.  Ellos son propietarios de 1.200 hectáreas donde tradicionalmente cultivan chocho (leguminosa), melloco (tubérculo), maíz, cebada, trigo, papa, quinoa, entre otros productos. Entre los muchos desafíos a los que se enfrentan cada día están la erosión de los suelos y la pérdida de las cosechas. Actualmente, el riego lo aplican por inundación, lo que no les permite distribuir adecuadamente el recurso a todos los socios. Este uso poco sustentable del agua afecta la calidad de vida de la población. Es en este contexto que se inserta el Proyecto de Irrigación Tecnificada (PIT), que permitirá a los agricultores utilizar de forma mucho más eficiente el agua a través de infraestructura de riego tecnificado parcelario, además de recibir apoyo técnico para fortalecer la organización de la asociación, desarrollar prácticas ambientales y de economía productiva, así como respaldar la comercialización de sus productos. En Ecuador apenas el 13.8% de la superficie bajo riego cuenta con riego tecnificado. Este tipo de tecnología permite a los pequeños agricultores optimizar el uso del agua y suministrar a los cultivos la cantidad necesaria de manera eficiente para su desarrollo, disminuyendo de esta forma el desperdicio de este valioso recurso que es cada vez más escaso. Como José, muchos agricultores han participado en las convocatorias que realiza el Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Acuacultura y Pesca, MAGAP, para socializar el proyecto e invitarles a presentar las solicitudes para obtener el financiamiento para la instalación del riego tecnificado.  “Estamos muy entusiasmados con la posibilidad de presentar una propuesta que pueda ser seleccionada y financiada. Esta modalidad de riego no solo permite optimizar el uso del agua sino también nuestro tiempo, cuando no contamos con la tecnificación tenemos que levantarnos en las noches o madrugadas para realizar esta  actividad manualmente”, señaló José Quishpe. Las primeras obras de los subproyectos piloto ya están en ejecución en las provincias de Manabí, Bolívar, Los Ríos, El Oro y Loja. La inversión incluye la construcción de la infraestructura de riego tecnificado por aspersión, micro aspersión o goteo.  Los plazos de construcción para cada obra están entre cuatro y cinco meses, luego de lo cual se realizarán otras actividades como: capacitaciones en operación y mantenimiento de los sistemas construidos y el fortalecimiento social a las juntas de usuarios para su correcta administración.  De estas primeras obras se beneficiarán 245 familias con más de 500 hectáreas. Además, con los equipos de riego tecnificado funcionando, se ofrecerá asistencia técnica a los agricultores para generar mayor rentabilidad en sus cultivos y comercializarlos mejor. El Proyecto de Irrigación Tecnificada se implementa en diez provincias de la Sierra y siete de la Costa a través de financiamiento del Banco Mundial por USD$80 millones; de la AECID por USD$20 millones; el MAGAP por USD$20 millones; y, un aporte de los beneficiarios de USD$8.6 millones.   Al proyecto pueden aplicar pequeños y medianos productores que tienen hasta 20 hectáreas en la Sierra y 40 hectáreas en la Costa.  

Para você, o investimento em estradas, aeroportos, energia e outras áreas da infraestrutura é papel exclusivo do Estado? Ou pode incluir a participação do setor privado? Cada vez mais governos da América Latina e do Caribe optam pela segunda resposta, em especial levando-se em conta dois fatores.  O primeiro deles consiste no déficit de investimento em infraestrutura – a diferença entre o que existe e o que é necessário –, com estimativas em torno de US$ 180 bilhões por ano. O segundo é a dificuldade de aumentar significativamente o investimento público no atual contexto fiscal apertado e de recuperação lenta da economia latino-americana depois de seis anos de recessão.  Resultado: na última década, o número de projetos de parcerias público-privadas (PPPs) mais do que triplicou, passando de 40 para 140, sobretudo nos setores de energia, transportes, água e esgoto.  Um novo relatório do Banco Mundial sobre o tema, Financiamento privado de infraestruturas públicas por meio de PPPs na América Latina e Caribe, traz outros dados que evidenciam a importância crescente desse modelo na região. Entre eles, a quantidade de países que aprovaram leis referentes a elas nas últimas duas décadas: 19.  Já o percentual do PIB investido nas parcerias aumentou menos do que a média de crescimento da economia regional. Ou seja, o volume de recursos ainda pode evoluir, mas atraí-los e usá-los com eficiência – uma necessidade para toda a região – são ações que dependem de diversos fatores.  Segundo o relatório, embora a América Latina e o Caribe tenham programas de PPP desde o fim dos anos 1980, a evolução e o nível de sofisticação deles não têm sido uniformes.  Os do Chile e México são considerados os mais bem-sucedidos da região, especialmente no setor de transportes. Brasil, Colômbia e Peru também têm trajetórias extensas de projetos de PPP. No entanto, mesmo os mercados mais avançados precisam criar ambientes de licitação com maior competitividade e melhorar os mecanismos de financiamento de projetos. A região ainda tem em comum o desafio de melhorar a fase de planejamento e preparação dos projetos. Antes de tomar a decisão de contratação por meio de PPPs, por exemplo, o estudo recomenda fazer uma avaliação socioeconômica de custo-benefício, e poucos países cumprem isso. 

José Quishpe represents 400 farmers of the Alpaca Project of Cayambe Canton, in the Ecuadorian province of Pichincha.  They plant corn (grain), ulluco (tuber), maize, barley, wheat, potato, quinoa and other crops on their 1,200 hectares. Among the many daily challenges they face are soil erosion and crop losses. They currently use a flood irrigation system, which does not allow them to adequately distribute the resource among all members. This unsustainable water usage affects the population’s quality of life. This is the context of the Sustainable Family Farming Modernization Project, which promotes more efficient water usage among farmers through localized irrigation infrastructure and training. They project also provides technical support to strengthen the organization of the association, develop environmental and agricultural practices, as well as support marketing of their production. In Ecuador, just 13.8% of farmland has localized irrigation. This technology enables smallholder farmers to optimize water usage and efficiently supplies crops with enough water for their development, reducing waste of this valuable and increasingly scarce resource. Like José, many farmers have participated in the meetings organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishery and Fishing (MAGAP) to inform them on the project and invite them to submit their applications to obtain financing for the installation of localized irrigation systems. “We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of submitting a proposal that can be selected and financed. This irrigation method not only optimizes water usage, but also our time. When we don’t use the modern irrigation technologies, we have to get up at night or at dawn to manually carry out this activity,” said José Quishpe. The initial works of the pilot sub-projects are now being implemented in the provinces of Manabí, Bolívar, Los Ríos, El Oro and Loja. The investment includes the installation of sprinkler, micro-sprinkler or drip irrigation systems. Construction of each system requires four or five months, after which time other activities are carried out, such as training in the operation and maintenance of the systems and social strengthening of the users’ boards for their effective administration. Two hundred and forty-five families farming more than 500 hectares will be the first beneficiaries of these works. Once the modern irrigation system is in operation, the project will offer technical assistance to farmers to improve crop probability and marketing. The Project is implemented in 10 provinces of the highlands and seven of the coast with a US$80 million World Bank loan; US$20 million from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation; US$20 million from MAGAP; and a US$8.6 million contribution from beneficiaries.   Smallholder and medium-holder farmers with up to 20 hectares in the highlands and 40 hectares on the coast are eligible to participate in the project.

As Latin America adapts to the downturn in commodity prices, policymakers are turning to the surest path to sustainable, lasting growth: innovation. “When businesses innovate, productivity increases and economies become more competitive,” says Marialisa Motta, manager of the Trade and Competitiveness practice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Many Latin American countries have policies to encourage innovation, but most are less efficient or effective than they could be. The World Bank Group is helping governments take stock of their programs and improve them. The goal, says Senior Private Sector Specialist Alberto Criscuolo, is to see “what is the bang for the buck? Is the public expenditure on innovation consistent with the policy priorities on innovation? How effective are the programs on innovation? Are there overlaps between agencies and ministries? What can we learn from the implementation of existing programs?” These reviews of science, technology, and innovation spending are being done with World Bank Group support in Peru, Colombia, and Chile, among others. Often, Criscuolo says, there’s a “gap between what industry needs and what universities are researching. The two sides don’t talk to each other.” The World Bank Group assessments can help identify which areas of innovation are in high demand from industry, and encourage funding of that research.Evaluating the Mix In Chile, the World Bank Group evaluated the quality of the innovation and entrepreneurship policy mix and worked with two government agencies to identify good practices and weaknesses in design and implementation practices. The results were used to inform the current restructuring of innovation instruments. In Colombia, the World Bank Group evaluated more than 120 policy instruments, measuring the effectiveness of the policy mix, the degree of redundancies, and gaps. Now the Bank Group is helping the government design a national innovation strategy by recommending good practices on innovation instruments, such as better-defined tax incentives for research and development. “Fewer than 20 companies in the whole country were benefiting from the tax breaks, mostly large mineral or energy companies,” says Lead Economist Leonardo Iacovone, who worked on the Colombia assessment, after which the country changed its system. Iacovone is now co-leading a $600 million loan to Colombia, approved in March 2017, whose objectives include strengthening innovation policies.Management as Well as Technology Innovation is about management as much as technology, Iacovone points out. “A company that’s able to innovate is one that’s able to learn. The way you get organized and managed is crucial in the way you’re able to learn: Setting and monitoring targets. Linking human resources processes and incentives to targets. Getting feedback from workers on how to continuously improve.” In Brazil as well, there is much room to improve how firms are managed, says Lead Economist Mark Dutz. Surveys show that 18% of firms are very badly managed, compared to 11% in Mexico, 6% in China, and 2% in the United States, according to the World Management Survey. But technology is important too. Though some fear that adopting new technologies will kill jobs, Dutz says, “Technology adoption by firms can actually be inclusive, creating more and better jobs not just for highly skilled workers, but also lower-skilled workers – provided there is enough output expansion.” Traditionally, Latin American economies, particularly Brazil, have been relatively closed to foreign trade, giving companies little incentive to innovate and remain competitive in global markets – and leading to higher prices for consumers. But breaking down those barriers means that companies can expand beyond their traditional domestic markets. “They need to think of the world as their oyster,” Dutz says.