Vietnam: Responsibilities and powers of the State-level Key Science and Technology Program's Office

Vietnam: Responsibilities and powers of the State-level Key Science and Technology Program's Office (Illustrative Image)

According to Circular 19/2011/TT-BKHCN, the Program Office has the following responsibilities and powers:

1. Develop annual plans and budget estimates for the Programs and the Program Office for the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam to consolidate and include in the general science and technology plan and budget;

2. Coordinate with the Program Steering Committees to approve the Explanation of themes and projects under the Programs according to the content and budget approved by the Minister of Science and Technology; jointly conclude contracts for implementing themes and projects with the Program Steering Committee and organize the acceptance and liquidation of Contracts with the host organizations and leaders;

3. Disburse and settle funds for the host organizations of themes and projects according to the schedule stated in the Contract; compile the plan for procurement of machinery and equipment for themes and projects under the Programs for the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam to approve;

4. Ensure conditions for the management and operation of the Programs; coordinate and support the Program Steering Committees in organizing advisory activities of science and technology councils and other activities related to the management and operation of the Programs;

5. Coordinate with the Program Steering Committees to inspect and supervise the implementation and use of budgets for themes and projects under the Programs; monitor and compile the mobilization and use of non-state budget sources for themes and projects; promptly identify and resolve issues and errors in the organization and implementation of the Program and the procurement of machinery and equipment for the themes and projects under the Programs; propose resolutions and report to the Minister of Science and Technology on cases beyond authority;

6. Prepare final financial settlement reports for the Programs to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam in accordance with regulations; compile and prepare periodic, extraordinary, mid-term summary, and final summary reports on the results of the Programs based on reports from the Program Steering Committees;

7. Coordinate with related functional units under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam to organize financial accounting and management training for the host organizations and leaders under the Programs;

8. Develop a database on the organization, finance, activities, and results of the Programs; build and operate the electronic information portal for the Programs; organize the statistics work of the Programs;

9. Act as the focal point for receiving and compiling proposals and recommendations from the Program Steering Committees on issues related to the development and management of the Programs to present or cooperate with related units under the Ministry to present to the Minister of Science and Technology and notify the Minister's decisions to the Program Steering Committees and related organizations and individuals.

Note: The cooperation with units affiliated to the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam in handling and aggregating issues related to the development and management of the Programs shall follow the regulations on cooperation between related functional units under the Ministry in managing programs issued by the Minister of Science and Technology.

More details can be found in Circular 19/2011/TT-BKHCN effective from September 9, 2011.

Thuy Tram

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