The Southern Sudanese government is searching for European actuaries and consultants to help create a pension scheme for its public sector workers next year, when it is expected to gain its independence after a referendum in January.

The project has been organised by the Capacity Building Trust Fund, an organisation that was established in 2005 when Southern Sudan - which last month went to the polls to elect a new president - signed a peace agreement with the rest of the country following more than 20 years of civil war.