There are different schemes whereby a civil society monitoring mechanism can be implemented. It can be a group of monitors, or an individual with some organizational backing. In any case, special efforts should be put in place in order to assure the independence of the agencies monitoring the procurement process. These include
Objective selection criteria,
A transparent method of payment,
Unhindered access to information and liberal disclosure of information and
A system for the management of conflicts of interests.
When designing the monitoring role for Civil Society, one should look at the following criteria.
Monitors should be highly respected people of unquestioned integrity;
Monitors should possess (or have easy access to) the required professional expertise;
Where the local members of Civil Society do not possess the required expertise, they should promptly contract such expertise from outside
Individual Monitors should not be subject to a veto by government;
Monitors should have free and unlimited access to all relevant government documents and information;
Monitors can raise issues and complaints first with the authorities, and only when no corrective action is taken within a reasonable period of time, they would be free to go public or transmit the relevant information to the judicial authorities;
Monitors should be prepared to offer a limited Pledge of Confidentiality regarding certain information; and
Monitors should have full access to and review all documents pertaining to the tendering process, technical as well as financial.
