More volunteer experts from Germany

A large number of Sri Lankan organizations have benefited from the volunteer senior experts from Germany facilitated by SES.

Up to August 31, 2007, SES has done 90 assignments in Sri Lanka and SES clients have been Multichem International Ltd., hSenid Software International (Pvt.) Ltd., Orient Electricity Systems Ltd. (makers of Orange Switches), Prima Bakery Training Centre, Kani Lanka Resort and Spa, Lihiniya Surf Hotel, Bentota, Kotmale Livestock and Agriculture Company Ltd, Galadari Hotel, Cey-nor, Royal Fernwood Porcelain Ltd., Lanka Coco Products (Pvt) Ltd, GTZ etc.

SES is a non-profit organization. It sends on assignment skilled specialists in retirement (Senior Experts) to pass on knowledge at home and abroad, according to their professional experience on a voluntary, non-profit basis.

The qualification of local personnel, the increase of product quality as well as the creation and protection of jobs are the primary aims of these assignments. For every request from abroad, SES assesses the development effects and their importance in the desired assignment. In line with their motto ‘Helping others to help themselves,’ the aim of every assignment is also to contribute towards the economic development of every assignment country and help raise their standard of living.
SES does not conduct assignments involving areas of armament, high-tech or high-chem. It pays very close attention to ensure that intellectual properties of companies are not compromised through activities of senior experts.

SES clients are private companies – mostly Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), the public sector and non-profit organizations.
SES assignments are exclusively non-profit. National and international travelling expenses, cost of accommodation and a small per diem are paid by the client. In case the client is unable to bear the entire costs and provided that there is a specific need for the assignment, public funds can be made available up to a limited amount. The Senior Experts are volunteers and they receive limited pocket money from the client for the duration of the assignment.

The minimum length of an assignment is three weeks and maximum length is six months. Average assignment in length is 3-4 weeks. Follow-up assignments are desirable.

The legal basis for every assignment is the Assignment Agreement that SES concludes with the client. SES obligates itself to:
Select the Senior Expert with great care,

Support the Senior Expert during the preparation and realization of the assignment
Provide comprehensive insurance for the Senior Expert during his assignment.

The client obligates himself to:
Provide the Senior Expert with necessary information for the completion of the assignment,
Obtain all necessary travel, visa and permits.
The activities of Senior Experts are advisory in nature. The implementation of their recommendations is within the responsibility of the client. The Senior Expert shall not be held liable for his recommendations

In addition to the Assignment Agreement, an Authorization for an SES-Assignment is concluded between SES and the Senior Expert, in which the Senior Expert obligates him or herself to:

Prepare for the assignment
Refrain from all commercial and political activities during the assignment
Act only in the interest of the client and to treat all internal information provided in connection with assignment with the utmost confidentiality,
Submit in due time a report after completion of assignment.
There is no direct contractual relationship between SES client and the Senior Expert.

Sri Lanka enterprises could look forward to receiving SES assistance through the Sri Lanka office. For further information, the Programme Manager could be reached on 011 4925036 or email lankases@gmail.com or website www.ses-bonn.de