 following completion of a needs assessment, CCI EMC will review the status of the experts on the list. 4.4 The Commonwealth Secretariat will maintain the list. 4.5 Expert expenses (travel, accommodation, subsistence, visa, inoculations and insurance) will be met from the CCI project fund (see para. 12 below). Additionally, where an individual’s time is not being recompensed by an employer, an honorarium of £1000 may, if necessary, be paid for the visit and, where appropriate, up to a further £1000 for time spent in the preparation of the Needs Assessment report. 5. Preliminary Steps and the In-Country Needs Assessment 5.1 Preliminary desk-top research will initially help inform a decision on whether a Needs Assessment is required, and then, where a decision is taken to proceed, provide background to assist effective preparation. The CEMC will identify an individual from the CCI community (not necessarily an expert from the panel) to conduct such research, covering matters such as point in electoral cycle; capacity building work previously undertaken or already planned; current state of any existing national strategy. If no appropriate individual can be identified SOCA will conduct basic inquiries as to needs through its international network. 5.2 The Commonwealth Secretariat will agree a timescale for the Needs Assessment with the requesting state, which will indicate the requirements in terms of stakeholders to be interviewed, sending an advance copy of the CCI Barometer Report template to advance notice of some of the themes that will be explored, and requesting a flow-chart illustrating the different roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders. 6. Appointment of the Needs Assessment Team 6.1 The CEMC will appoint a Needs Assessment Team consisting of two experts from the list/panel of experts to conduct the Needs Assessment, one of whom shall be nominated as Project Leader. 6.2 The CEMC will appoint an Assessment Mentor to the Assessment Team who shall be a member or selected nominee of the CEMC. 6.3 The Assessment Mentor will advise the two experts of CCI methodology and the expected outcomes from the Assessment 6.4 At least 2 weeks prior to the Assessment, the Commonwealth Secretariat will arrange a virtual conference (including the Needs Assessment Team and mentor, and facilitators from the Requesting State) to help refine the scope and structure of the assessment process. 6.5 The Commonwealth Secretariat will ensure the experts have appropriate advice on visa and inoculation requirements. 7. Conduct of the Needs Assessment 7.1 The Lead Expert will be responsible for the conduct of the Assessment and for completion of the Assessment Report. 55