CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) is one of Canada's leading volunteer-based development

organizations. Founded in 1967, our mission is to catalyze and strengthen sustainable economic and social growth
in Canada and globally through the collaborative approach of our highly-experienced Volunteer Advisors. Our
volunteers have completed more than 47,500 assignments across Canada and in more than 120 countries around
the world. We partner with communities and organizations within Aboriginal communities in Canada, and from the
Americas, Asia and Africa. CESO is comprised of a team of committed volunteer advisors and staff who believe
deeply in the power of partnership to reduce poverty, foster economic health and stability, and transform lives.
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to foster human
development and global understanding through education and training. We are a network of professionals,
students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders who, together, provide opportunities to some of the worlds
most disadvantaged youth. Our programs and services improve access to and quality of education, expand
employment opportunities and foster empowerment for youth. We work with and through our southern partners
government, civil society and the private sector.
CESO and WUSC have formed a consortium led by CESO for the design and implementation of the Mongolia:
Enhancing Resource Management through Institutional Transformation (MERIT) initiative. MERIT is a multi-year
initiative that will enhance the public sector management of the Mongolian extractive sector to maximize its
contribution to sustainable economic and social development.

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The MERIT project will contribute over a period of six years to improved public sector management of the
extractive sector in Mongolia.
The project will focus on strengthening capacity in three main areas:
1) among key public sector agencies with regard to effective policies and practices;
2) at the local and regional level in at least two regions ("Aimags") to improve relations with key
stakeholders impacted by extractive sector activity; and
3) among at least two training institutions supporting this sector to strengthen their technical capacity to
provide relevant skills training and apply best practices
Project activities will target five key government partners: the Ministry of Mines, the Mineral Resources Authority,
the Petroleum Authority, the Ministry of the Environment and Green Development, and the General Department
of Taxation; in order to contribute to the development of a merit-based public service sector in Mongolia. In
addition, local partnerships with civil society organizations (the Mongolian Mining Association and Women in
Mining Mongolia) and specific training institutions (such as the Mongolian University of Science and Technology,
and the Academy of Management) will support the achievement of results.
CESO and WUSC will collaborate to provide technical assistance using both short-term and long-term skilled
Canadian volunteers, as well as knowledge-sharing activities and tools required to effectively manage resources
and data in the extractive sector. CESO will contribute targeted short-term Volunteer Advisor assignments, while
WUSC will deliver long-term volunteer placements. Each local partnership will be managed by a Lead Volunteer
Advisor.

The project will address priority needs among Mongolian Government agencies including technical assistance and
tools to strengthen their capacity to develop and implement relevant policies and procedures and improve
coordination. Activities will also respond to the need for improved multi-stakeholder consultation and engagement
at the regional and community levels as well as the need for greater alignment between training institutions and
the skills required by the labour market to serve the public sector.
The project will have an expected reach of more than 1,000 civil servants between the five government partners,
approximately a quarter of them women. In addition, residents in two Aimags will be targeted, potentially
Bayankhongor in the south-west of the country and Selenge outside of the capital of Ulaanbaatar (UB).

Key activities:
Capacity strengthening activities will include training, mentorship and providing technical advice and related
support to improve skills and knowledge of all levels of staff, as well as study tours and educational visits to
Canada.
The proposed areas of focus include:

transfer of skills and best practices of international standards in extractive sector issues including
environmental management, laboratory upgrading, risk management, responsible business practices
including corporate social responsibility, EITI reporting, etc.
project management, monitoring and evaluation
human resources, organizational and financial management (including leadership training)
taxation policies and practices
strategic planning
information management/knowledge management, IT and GIS skills, software and technical support
specialized English language training,
communications, improving public relations and multi-stakeholder consultations, increasing awareness in
the local community and civil society actors of the impact and opportunities from extractive sector
activities,
support to improve participation of women in management in the extractive sector.