Gross National Happiness Commission

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Shortlisted candidates for the post of Sr. Programme Officer

Temporary Vacancy for Program Assistant

Results for long term studies

Shortlisted candidates for long term studies

The GNH Commission is pleased to announce the availability of Masters slots.

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The PEMG Workshops, 11th May- 11th June 2010

The Joint Support Programme for mainstreaming Environment, Climate Change and Poverty Concerns which involves ,the Poverty Environment Initiative Project phase II of the UNDP/UNEP and the component II of the Sustainable Environment Support Programme (SESP) of the DANIDA. The harmonized programme support is geared towards developing capacity of national and local government functionaries, private sector and civil society organizations in addressing poverty and environment challenges in an integrated manner, which is intended to achieve the following outcomes:
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6th ODA/JICA Seminar in Thimphu

In collaboration with JICA Bhutan Office, GNHC organized the 6th ODA/JICA Seminar in Thimphu on 12th May 2010. The ODA/JICA Seminar is conducted annually with the following objectives:

1. Promote greater understanding of Japanese ODA Schemes and JICA country programs among officials of the Royal Government
2. Present current status of JICA activities in Bhutan
3. Explain how to create project proposals in line with JICA procedures

Officials from JICA Headquarter/Japan, JICA Bhutan Office, Officials from GNHC and Stakeholders from relevant government agencies , corporations and others participated in the one day ODA Seminar.
The programs and the focus areas of the JICA are formulated in line with the Five Year Plan priorities of the Royal Government. The programs of JICA are supported through their ODA schemes such as Grant Aid, Technical Cooperation and ODA loans.
The Government of Japan began its economic assistance to Bhutan in the field of agriculture in May 2964 (3rd year of the first five year plan) with the dispatch of an expert, the late Dasho K. Nishioka, under the Colombo Plan. Since then, Japanese assistance to Bhutan and its areas of cooperation have increased and diversified into many key important sectors like agriculture, energy, roads, telecommunications, health, education etc. Formal Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Japan was established in 1986.

Training workshop on “Strategic Visioning and Development Planning Framework” for Dzongkhags

The Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Management (RIM) is conducting a three days training workshop on “Strategic Visioning and Development Planning Framework” for all the Dzongkhag Sector Heads. The main objective of training workshop is mainly to assist and facilitate the formulation of vision, mission, strategies and action plans for the Dzongkhag. The formulated vision, mission, strategies and action plans should be able to guide the Dzongkhag in preparation of the annual plans and budgets, review of annual plans, mid-term review of 10th Plan and formulation of future plans. The training workshop is also aimed at developing the capacity of Dzongkhag Sectors Heads to review and revise the vision, mission, strategies and action plans of Dzongkhags if necessary. The vision, mission, strategies and action plans developed during the three day training workshop shall be presented to the forthcoming respective Dzongkhag Tshogdu session for endorsement and approval.

The training workshop was commenced on 29 March 2010 from Haa Dzongkhag and we have completed for Punakha, Wangduephodrang and Chhukha Dzongkhag. The training workshop for all the remaining Dzongkhags will be completed by 31 August 2010.

Training of GT members on Planning and Prioritization by Gewog Administrative Officers

Local Development Division, GNHC in collaboration with the Geog Administrative Officers and Dzongkhag Planning Officers conducted GT members’ training on “Planning and Prioritization” in all 205 Geogs w.e.f Feb. 2010 with support from LGDP Phase II (JICA), LGSP, TCDP & SLGP Project. The training is aimed at building the capacity of the local functionaries to plan, prioritized and develop more strategic annual plans.

The training covers detailed planning process such as gathering information through gewog mapping, internal and external analysis. Prioritization tool was also introduced to the participants to help prioritize activities amongst numerous priorities.

Training of GAOs in Planning and prioritization

Ten trainers from the College of Natural Resources and four consultancy firms carried out a nationwide training on planning and prioritization for the Gewog Administrative Officers (GAOs) from1st December 2009 to 7th January 2010.
The training covered sixteen Dzongkhags of Bumthang, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Sarpang, Tsirang, Gasa, Punakha, Chukha, Mongar, Lhuentse, Dagana, Samdrupjongkhar, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, Pemagatshel and Samtse. Training for Wangdue and Haa Dzongkhag GAOs were done along with trainers in October 2009.
The training was conducted with objectives to equip the GAOs with both facilitation and presentation skills and in planning and prioritization following the Integrated Capacity Building Plan (ICBP). The GAOs were, in keeping with the strategy of sustainability of the capacity building initiatives, trained as a Trainer of the GT members including the Gedrung. The GAOs will train the GT members in their respective Gewogs in the month of January and February 2010. In those Gewogs where there are no GAOs, the consultant trainers will conduct the training.
The training is expected to facilitate participatory planning and democratic approach to decision making at the local level.

Training Workshops on Planning and Monitoring System (PlaMS)

[ 16 October 2009 ]GNH Commission organized training workshops on Planning and Monitoring System (PlaMS) in Paro. The first workshop was conducted from 5th to 9th October, 2009 for focal officers from the central agencies and the second workshop was conducted from 12th to 16th October, 2009 for the Dzongkhag Planning Officers. More than thirty participants attended in each workshop.
The PlaMS technical team from GNH Commission provided hands-on training on using the web-based Planning and Monitoring System developed by GNH Commission. The participants were also sensitized on the revised National Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines.
The focal officers from the central agencies and Dzongkhag Planning Officers shall conduct the same training for the staff in their respective agencies and Dzongkhags. These trainings are being conducted to facilitate smooth roll out of PlaMS in the agencies and Dzongkhags.
PlaMS is a web-based information management system developed by GNH Commission to improve efficiency in planning and monitoring of development plans and programmes. The system is expected to be launched by December 2009.

Rejoinder to the article titled “Resource Allocation Formula under Fire”

[23 Sep 2009] The Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) was developed in keeping with article 22 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, which entitles the Local Governments(LGs) to adequate financial resources from the Royal Government in the form of Annual Grants (AG). The RAF is applied to allocation of the capital budget (Annual Grants) to LGs, Dzongkhags and Gewogs and the resources can be used for any eligible capital expenditure activities prioritized by local governments, subject to the Annual Grants ceiling. Read More..

Training of Trainers for Local Governance

[14 Sep 2009 ] A five day Training of Trainers (TOT) in Basic Facilitation funded through the LGDP Phase II was held at the Royal Institute of Management from 7th to 11th September 2009. With RIM lecturers as the master trainers, eighteen potential trainers from the College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, Rural Development Training Center, Zhemgang and five private consulting firms participated in the week long TOT. Read More

Support to the Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP)

[9 Sep 2009 ] The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is contributing CHF 1, 000,000 (Nu. 45.5 million) towards “Support to the Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP). The contribution is a budgetary support for the capital grant mechanism to 205 gewogs in support of implementing their 10th five year development plans. The releases will be made in installments as per the agreement signed with RGoB. The LGSP programme is for five years starting from July 2008 to June 2013.

The agreement is signed between Dr. Edita Vokral, representing Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Government of Switzerland, and Mr. Karma Tshiteem, Secretary, GNHC, representing RGOB.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

A group of twenty Officers including Secretary, GNHC attended training on “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” in Paro from July 11-13, 2009. The signature program of three days is based on the principles taught in “the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”-the international best seller by Dr. Step

hen R Covey. The training basically revolved around learning and practically applying the seven habits claimed by Covey to be most valuable in making an individual effective both at personal and at the organizational level. The training was facilitated by Mr. Etienne Dujif, Business Performance Enabler with the Franklin Covey South Asia, a company operating in South Asia rendering training services in the area of management development and related activities.

Consultancy services to accelerate growth

14 July, 2009 - The government will be shelling out USD 9.1m (approx, Nu 432m) to a global management consultancy firm, McKinsey and company, to find ways to accelerate Bhutan’s economic growth.

The project titled ‘Accelerating Bhutan’s Economic Development’ is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery in such a way that quality is improved at lower costs of delivery. ..more..

Executive Order- April 06 2009

In accordance with the decision of the 6th GNHC meeting held on 27th March 2009, all government agencies are directed to adhere to the following procedures to incorporate new programmes and adjustments against the overall approved fiscal position of the 10th Plan. Read More..