(1) Individual Consultants may be employed to assist the Client in various areas of the project preparation and implementation. Individuals may be engaged on assignments for which.-
(a) the experience and qualifications of the individual must be dominant;
(b) no support from an organization is needed for the individual; and
(c) team work or multidisciplinary approach is not necessary.
When integrated technical work and joint responsibility for the Consultants' output are important, it is necessary to hire a Consulting Firm. The TOR of the assignment provides the basis for decision. As a general rule, when dealing with project preparation services of a complex nature, it is advisable to hire a firm, whereas individuals can be considered for advisory services assignments or technical opinions on specific matters in which specialist individual knowledge is the key issue. As a practical rule, if three or more individuals are needed for an assignment, it is often better to hire a Consulting firm, so that the firm will be responsible for identifying the best individuals, ensuring cohesiveness and technical solvency, as well as backup and transparent administration.
28K. Hiring of Government Officials, officials of Government Undertaking, Corporation etc., Government officials and officials 19 employed in Government Undertakings or Corporations shall not be engaged under consulting services, since there could be a conflict of interest. This applies regardless of their being on leave or on deputation. University Professors or Scientists from Autonomous Research Institutes may be contracted individually provided they are permitted by their service conditions to undertake assignments for a specified period in a year. Individual Consultants shall not be hired by Agencies, where the relatives of the Individual Consultant, are employed in position of influence.]55