In 2006, the EU launched an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. A Programme Team has been put in place working for the Task Force Turkish Cypriot Community within DG Enlargement to implement the financial aid package. The team is based in a Programme Support Office located in the northern part of Cyprus.
The objective of the project is to provide high quality and reliable administrative and logistical support to the European Commission's Programme Team working in the northern part of Cyprus to maximise effectiveness of aid delivery and implementation. GIZ takes care of all the logistical and administrative aspects on site to enable the Programme Team to devote itself to the core task of implementing the aid programme.
GIZ had the mission of ensuring field based technical support and office management services to the Commission's Programme Team as follows:
• Provision of premises and office management logistics;
• Provision of administrative support, namely secretarial assistance and transport support to the programme team;
• Provision of IT support services.
Since the start-up of the EU Programme Support Office in July 2006 GIZ has been successfully providing office management and logistical services as well as highly qualified administrative support staff to the Task Force Turkish Cypriot Community.
GIZ has gained during this time a profound understanding of the work-flow and special requirements of the Programme Support Team and sound knowledge of the local market conditions and its procurement in the area. All administrative and logistical arrangements currently in place for the Programme Support Office have been negotiated and established by GIZ. During the past years a team of administrative support staff has been recruited among the local Turkish Cypriot Community which is well trained and familiar with the EU Programme, its mechanisms, internal workflow and has a clear understanding of the tasks and responsibility of each position required in the Terms of Reference. GIZ provided one international expert (office manager) and, via an agreement with a local organisation, 10 local support staff (5 secretaries, 1,5 receptionists, 2 drivers, 1 Driver/handyman).
Type and scope of services provided:
• Renting of office space in the northern part of Cyprus and regular maintenance of the building;
• Furnishing of office space;
• Maintenance of all office premises and services,
• Provision of office equipment;
• IT support services as well as maintenance of the IT system and hardware;
• Provision of security arrangements;
• Provision of secretarial support including reception/switchboard services, accounting and legal support services;
• Translation of office documents, interpretation support during internal and small meetings;
• Provision of local transport service and coordination;
• Logistical preparation, accompanying and follow up of workshops.