In line with the EC’s policy of fostering ownership, partnership and strengthening institutional capacity, project implementation should, in most cases, be the primary responsibility of implementing partners. The EC’s main responsibility is to provide timely finance, management and technical support, to monitor project implementation, to ensure an appropriate level of accountability for resources used and results achieved, and to capture and act on lessons learned during implementation. The main tasks for an EC task manager, whether in a delegation or at headquarters, are usually to:

1. Prepare the implementation documents for service, works and supply contracts;
2. Monitor project progress (including assessment of the content and quality of monitoring reports), and suggest corrective measures if required to support efficient and effective implementation;
3. Contribute, as appropriate, to regular review and updating of operational plans;
4. Keep appropriate records of project progress, the results achieved and constraints encountered;
5. Prepare progress reports and keep the information in the CRIS Implementation Report regularly updated;
6. Support timely disbursement of EC resources, based on approved work plans and budgets and an assessment of project performance;
7. Facilitate communication and information flow between, and feedback to, key stakeholders;
8. Manage formal reviews (i.e. mid-term evaluation) and audits commissioned by the EC, if required
9. Request audits when required and/or considered appropriate, and provide relevant project information to audit task managers and auditors;
10. Make timely decisions to solve problems and support implementation.