Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, DED is a leading European development agency for personnel secondment. Whilst the main instrument of DED’s support is the secondment of German or other international advisors into Namibian organisations and institutions, it additionally has a funding line for locals. 

DED subsidises the salaries of local experts in its fields of work. These are currently:

· Prevention of HIV and AIDS

· Resource Management

· SME Promotion

DED can subsidise up to the full amount of a local expert’s salary. In addition, expenses for the equipment of the local expert’s workplace and administrative costs can be financed up to 10% of the annual salary subsidy. Costs for further training of the local expert can also be covered. DED has ceilings for subsidies. Please enquire about the current ceiling at DED’s offices.

Whilst local experts may be subsidised on a short term basis, the usual duration of funding is two years, with an option of extension to a maximum of five years. In the case of a prospective five year extension, DED prefers the partner organisation to acquire additional funds from other donors to co-fund the position.

Request

Subsidies for local experts will be considered on the basis of a funding request. This request should include following information:

· A description of the project or programme for which the local expert is to be recruited (including aims, objectives, expected results and activities)

· The terms of reference or job description of the local expert

· The duration of the desired funding

· An overall budget and the amount of funding requested from DED

Planning and Monitoring

If the request conforms to its requirements, DED will enter into discussions with the requesting organisation, usually in form of a strategic planning workshop. In this process the job description, clear targets of the position, type and frequency of reporting, the recruitment process and possible training needs will be agreed upon. Subsequently a Memorandum of Agreement will be signed by both parties.

Recruitment and Contracting

The recruitment and contracting of the local expert is the sole responsibility of the partner organisation. However, its recruitment process must be made transparent to DED. In cases where this does not happen, DED reserves the right to withdraw its assistance.

Extension of subsidies

Given that DED adheres to the German financial year which runs from 1 January to 31 of December and its budgets depend on annual allocations from the German development ministry, subsidies can only be granted up until the end of the respective calendar year. Thus, partner organisations need to renew their request towards the end of each funding period.