01Why a network rather than a headcount
A corridor mandate rarely calls on the same skills twice in a row. A sector study in Senegal, a response to an institutional call for tenders and a business plan for a processing company require neither the same profiles, nor the same working languages, nor the same regulatory knowledge. A fixed headcount would force us to sell what it knows how to do. A register makes it possible to assemble the team the mandate requires, and to account for it to the client.
02Four statuses not to be confused
Independent contributor: a professional engaged for a specific mandate, under a written contract, paid per assignment. Focal point: a person or entity providing a documented local presence in a territory, under a written agreement. Service provider: a supplier of a defined service, with no part in conducting the mandate. Authorised professional: a lawyer, accountant, licensed agent or any holder of a reserved authorisation, to whom the regulated part of the work is entrusted. None of these statuses entails representing the Company or the power to commit it.
03How a person enters the register
An application is received, then verified on everything that can be verified: identity, legal existence of the entity, fields of work, languages, territories, verifiable references, and professional authorisations where the activity requires them. Whatever cannot be verified is recorded as such in the profile. The listing is dated and subject to review.
04What a listing does not provide
A listed person is never assigned work automatically. No fee is owed without a mandate accepted and formalised in writing. A listing constitutes neither employment, nor exclusivity, nor a promise of volume, nor a right to use the Company's name or seal.
05Selection for a given mandate
At step 6 of the cycle, the register is consulted. Selection is based on availability on the dates of the mandate, documented experience on comparable work and the absence of any declared conflict of interest. The selection is recorded in writing, with the reason for the choice. The client is informed of the team's composition before work begins.
06Contracting and scope
Each contributor signs a mandate that defines the scope of their work, the expected deliverables, the schedule, the fee, confidentiality obligations, ownership of the work and limits of liability. A contributor does not communicate directly with the client outside the framework set out in the mandate.
07Quality control and evaluation
The Company retains responsibility for coordination and for quality control before delivery. An interim check takes place at step 13 and a validation at step 14. At close-out, each contributor's performance is evaluated and recorded, which informs subsequent selections.
08Privacy
Client information circulates only among the people whose mandate makes it necessary. Confidentiality agreements are signed before any access to the file. Documents are archived at close-out according to the retention rules set out in the mandate.