In all our projects, we seek to provide fresh inspiration and practical solutions that have a positive impact.

Transcription

1 Lapis Elite Consulting Services Text for Profile on Website Overview Lapis Elite Consulting Services provides a broad range of consultancy and professional services, including management consulting, organisational development and institutional reform, change management, strategy development, economic analysis, programme and project selection, design and management, monitoring and evaluation, research and capacity building. Within Afghanistan s energy and extractive sectors, we also offer consultancy in sector governance, contracting, corporatisation, market analysis, revenue projection, tariff design, fiscal modelling, and environmental and social impact studies. Who we are Our team of highly qualified multilingual and multicultural consultants has wide professional experience in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, including extensive experience in Afghanistan. They comprise senior international consultants who regularly undertake assignments in Afghanistan and other fragile states worldwide and the cream of Afghan consultants, many of whom have international qualifications. Most speak Dari and/or Pashto, and English. We advise domestic and international private sector clients, donors, NGOs and Government and are dedicated to helping our clients navigate the complexities of policy and strategy development, legal and regulatory frameworks, local and international markets, and business and operations development. Mission In all our projects, we seek to provide fresh inspiration and practical solutions that have a positive impact. Lapis Elite Consulting Services believes strongly in performance enhancement and capacity development as the means of ensuring Afghanistan s future. We aim to make the transfer of skills and information to project beneficiaries on an ongoing basis an essential component of any project. Values Integrity We believe in transparency in all our dealings and expect it of our consultants. We respect our staff and consultants as we also respect yours and everyone we meet in the course of our work. We value open discussion and honest appraisals, with the client s interests at heart. Quality We expect to provide a high quality service, quality deliverables and positive outcomes.

2 We know the job can be done, but we are concerned to do it well. We want to work with you to ensure you contribute your ideas and are satisfied with the results. Reliability We want to accomplish what we have agreed with you, on schedule and on budget. We want you to learn that you can rely on us. We want you to choose us to carry out future assignments for you. Services Management Consulting Capacity Building Energy and Extractive Sector Public Policy Analysis and Research Lapis Elite Consulting Services aims to add value to these services through: Familiarity with the Afghan private sector, donors, NGOs and Government Multilingual and multicultural consultants with worldwide experience Clear deliverables grounded in evidence-based advice Experience of organisational development, business process re-engineering, and change management at all scales Capacity building and specialist training delivery Experience of programme and project development, enabling us to support the execution of clients projects in industry and commerce, governance and social services. Management Consulting Management Consulting Organisation and Strategy Development Organisational Reform Change Management Performance Enhancement Programme and Project Design and Management Monitoring and Evaluation Lapis Elite Consulting Services has expertise in management consulting, leadership of organisational development, business process re-engineering and change management, performance enhancement, and programme and project design and management in both the public and private sector. Our team can evaluate organisational efficiency and risk, propose and implement reform and restructuring, and equip staff for new roles and business processes. Changes in processes, systems,

3 and technology require that jobs be structured and performed differently, but, to enable sustainable and lasting change, rigorous attention to change management and communication at all levels is key. Our team has strong experience of formulating and managing complex programmes and projects on behalf of donors and governments and private sector clients. Our consultants have an extensive track record of needs assessment and economic analysis, the design, planning, direction, and management of projects and programmes, and in monitoring and evaluating outputs and outcomes to ensure they meet organisational objectives and targets with minimal risk. We can provide project implementation, oversight and management, or an independent assessment and evaluation of your project and internal organisational performance. Our team is able to assist clients at any phase of a programme or project s life cycle, to enable it to run optimally, on schedule and on budget, and with intended outcomes achieved. Consultants can also provide capacity building to a client s own staff in programme and project management techniques. Lapis Elite Consulting Services can help drive organisational development and change through these key services: Survey of organisational efficiency and risk: our consultants conduct an assessment of an organisation s needs, and capacity and risk in dealing with major change. The assessment incorporates key elements of a sound change management strategy, including executive sponsorship, communication, culture transformation, organisation design factors, and workforce implications. Stakeholder management and strategic communication: through our client, we Identify key stakeholder influences and design and execute a communications strategy that increases awareness, buy-in, and ownership of the proposed changes. Implementation of change and workforce transition: our consultants conduct job impact analyses, evaluate existing human resources, and identify key staff; they initiate targeted transition programmes designed in liaison with both management and employees to equip staff affected by change for their new roles and implement support structures, capacity building and training to prepare them for success and satisfaction. Potential benefits include: Greater consistency, transparency and control of work flow Efficient and effective programme and project delivery to help ensure goals and outcomes are met and risks are reduced Decreased cost and time overruns Increased likelihood of success and value creation Greater buy-in and more comprehensive skill sets among our client s staff. Through our multidisciplinary professional team, we are able to offer practical and responsive management consultancy services to a wide range of clients.

4 Capacity Building Capacity Building Vocational Training Specialist training for the Energy and Extractive Sector All organisations benefit from regular skills audits and updates and the continuing professional development of their staff. Lapis Elite Consulting Services has practical experience in assessing, preparing, and implementing capacity development and training programmes to meet clients needs across a broad range of industries. We offer organisational performance evaluation, needs analysis and training programme design, and a variety of delivery options. Our team develops quality training presentations, materials, and manuals tailored to a client s specific need. Our capacity building and training services include: Capacity development for senior management, middle management, departments and teams in business and local and national government Needs assessment and capacity-building following business process re-engineering Programme and project management courses, leading to Project Management Institute accreditation Training in policy and strategy analysis and formulation Introductory and specialist training courses on all aspects of the energy sector, including an overview of the sector, oil and gas resource development, energy economics, in-depth analysis of the energy market, market-based pricing, and the development, negotiation, and operation of gas sales and purchase agreements Introductory and specialist training in mineral exploration strategy development, including the status of global exploration and mining, sector investment, mineral deposit styles, practical skills in mineral exploration and mining, and mining sector value chain development. Energy and Extractive Sector Consulting in the Energy and Extractive Sector Energy and Extractive Sector Governance Facilities Development Planning EITI Compliance Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Community Liaison Lapis Elite Consulting Services combines a thorough understanding of Afghanistan s energy and extractive industries, including oil and gas and renewable energy sources hydropower, micro hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass, electricity generation and distribution with sophisticated economic analysis and policy and strategy formulation. Our unmatched knowledge and appreciation of Afghanistan s energy sector enables us to develop tailor-made solutions to each client s strategic challenges.

5 In addition, our knowledge of Afghanistan s mineral resources and our experience of consulting and contracting in the mineral exploration and mining sector has given us a clear understanding of the practical and financial challenges facing companies seeking to delineate and develop a deposit and to secure and maintain investment throughout long project life cycles. The company s team of consultants has experience of policy and strategy formulation for extractives development in both the public and private sector and can assist in defining and tailoring interventions and projects to meet clients business and development priorities. Our approach is based on fundamental economic drivers and shaped by a detailed understanding of Afghanistan s regulatory and market structures. The legal and regulatory framework in the energy and extractive sectors is complex, and navigating this ever-changing landscape is challenging. Our intimate knowledge of sector governance and national policies and priorities, laws and regulations, as well as international industry benchmarks, can help private sector clients meet Government requirements while maximising company performance. As development of industry value chains becomes more strongly promoted in Afghanistan, private sector companies have opportunities to expand and diversify. Lapis Elite Consulting Services familiarity with both energy and mineral value chains allows us to advise clients on value addition and partnering opportunities. We assist extractive sector clients by: Providing advice regarding extractive sector governance and business practice in Afghanistan Liaising with Government ministries and departments, and other public sector bodies Inter-ministry communication Engagement with diverse stakeholders in industry, commerce, and civil society Streamlining management support functions Streamlining information acquisition and management Value chain identification and assessment Business matchmaking. Energy Market Analysis, Business Planning, and Facilities Development Lapis Elite Consulting Services is able to provide up-to-date market analysis and prepare and evaluate business plans and contracts for energy development projects, including gas production and storage projects, transmission and distribution, and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. The company also provides independent engineering advice and expertise for the design, commercial development, and operation of new and existing up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas facilities, pipelines, and gas-fuelled power generation assets.

6 Our consultants can also provide advice and support for renewable energy development, ranging from major hydropower projects to village-scale solar installations. Our team has experience of preparing strategies for the privatisation of state-owned energy companies and infrastructure in markets currently being liberalised, and of preparing strategies for companies considering entry into such energy markets. Our regulatory economics consulting service applies fundamental economic principles to a close understanding of the dynamics of Afghanistan s evolving markets. A blend of commercial experience and academic credibility enables us to define a policy and strategy framework for clients that is both practical and economically sound. Our services include: Conducting analyses of oil and gas upstream, midstream and downstream business activities and opportunities across the energy sector Economic analysis and regulatory economics across the energy sector Economic, fiscal, and financial modelling Estimating relative energy efficiency levels and advising on tariffs Formulating and negotiating agreements related to the sale or purchase, transportation, storage, processing, blending, delivery, and balance of supply and demand of natural gas for pipeline gas, Liquid Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas producers, gas transmission and distribution companies, and major energy users such as power generators Developing business models and agreements based on the separation of gas trading activities and the ownership of infrastructure assets Developing independent gas marketing and power generation projects and associated agreements Gas supply diversification strategies; gas pricing, and the planning, negotiation and implementation of price reviews Strategy development, economic analysis, and environmental and social impact assessments and management plans for renewable energy projects Power market design, fuel utilisation strategies, and integrated energy strategy and planning. Standard and internally developed models for tariff design, price forecasting and statistical analysis Extractive Sector Governance In the face of decreasing donor funding and budget constraints, but an expanding demand for services, Government and public sector organisations are being challenged to use fewer resources more efficiently, effectively, and transparently. Lapis Elite s consultants have extensive experience of collaborating with the Government of Afghanistan in evidence-based policy and strategy formulation, legal and regulatory development, the preparation of roadmaps and masterplans, and programme design, management, and execution to

7 ensure positive outcomes, transparency, and value for money. Our team has experience of working with governments on organisational reform, business process re-engineering, and the establishment of management information systems to streamline core processes and reduce vulnerabilities to corruption. We are able to identify and engage stakeholders of projects, liaise with the private sector and civil society organisations, and we also have the facility to bring together senior officials from different ministries and organisations in the interests of efficient cross-sector communication and strategy development. Our services include: Baseline studies Drafting of policies and strategies Regulatory drafting Collaboration in the development of masterplans Organisational reform and restructuring Business process re-engineering Stakeholder identification and engagement Private sector and civil society liaison Communications planning. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Community Liaison The extractive industries have commonly been associated with crating or exacerbating environmental problems, such as water pollution, air-quality degradation, and contamination of agricultural land, all of which negatively affect local communities. An influx of workers may also have negative effects on the social structure and economic and cultural activities of a community. Lapis Elite Consulting Services offers research and reporting for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and impact mitigation monitoring. Our consultants facilitate liaison between clients, central and provincial government organisations, and affected communities to ensure legal requirements are fulfilled and commitments are met, and to maximise the potential benefits to both the extractive company and the community. Our team of consultants supports clients in the design and implementation of community development initiatives and corporate social responsibility commitments. We are able to facilitate Community Development Agreements (CDAs), required by law, to ensure benefit-sharing between the extractive company and the community. Our team is also able, where necessary, to facilitate agreements on resettlement, rehabilitation and compensation. Our services include: Preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Plans

8 Liaison between client, central and provincial government, and affected communities Negotiation and preparation of Community Development Agreements Advice and collaboration in the design and development of corporate social responsibility programmes Studies and reviews for Government. Public Policy Analysis and Research Public Policy Analysis Public Policy Formulation Strategy Development Research Lapis Elite Consulting Services has extensive high-level experience of national and subnational governance, public policy analysis and formulation, and strategic planning, in Government and in international organisations. Our consultants have participated in the development of many of Afghanistan s national, subnational and sector-specific policies and strategies. We provide support in the selection of policy tools, stakeholder consultation, drafting and revision of policies, cross-sector liaison, and evaluation, including review of a policy's effectiveness, value for money and outcomes. We also have experience of developing roadmaps and sector masterplans. Our consultants have extensive experience of research and due diligence, planning and conducting baseline surveys, environmental and social studies, value chain studies, the preparation of scoping and feasibility studies, and consumer preference analysis, as well as conducting data validation and analysis using a variety of software packages. We work independently and with integrity for both the public and the private sector, donors, and civil society. Our research and reporting services include: Desk and field research in the social sciences Baseline studies Needs assessments Economic studies Environmental and social impact studies Consumer studies Value chain studies Due diligence Writing and editing of scoping and feasibility studies Extractive industry studies Masterplan development

9 Technical and statutory reporting English language editorial work.