UNICEF and UN Coherence UNICEF 101, 8 October 2015 Mandeep O Brien, Senior Adviser Public Partnerships Division
Presentation outline 1. UN Coherence context 2. Delivering as One 3. Big picture
1-- UN Coherence Why? Working together and jointly with other UN Partners More effectiveness More efficiency More relevance Maximize impact and results for children.
1 UN coherence priorities: where do they come from? General Assembly: Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) resolution and humanitarian reform The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) UNICEF Executive Board Chief Executives Board (CEB) and its 3 pillars: UN Development Group (UNDG) High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) High-Level Committee on Programme (HLCP)
1 QCPR (2013-2016) QCPR is important for us. It charts the future direction for UN coherence. QCPR is a legally binding General Assembly resolution for 23 UN entities (of 37). QCPR contains 177 mandates. QCPR calls for enhancing relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of operational activities.
1-- QCPR Funding Improved funding for development activities: balance core versus non-core, predictability, cost recovery Development Effectiveness National capacity development; poverty eradication; south south cooperation; gender equality; transition Functioning of the UN system UNDAF; RC system; DaO; regional dimensions; simplification and harmonization of business practices; RBM System-wide evaluation System-wide evaluation; consolidated SP+QCPR reporting; single monitoring framework.
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2-- Delivering as One I. Background The QCPR recognizes DaO as a model going forward on a voluntary basis The QCPR requests the UN system to [ ] formulate standard operational procedures as guidelines for DaO countries [ ] 8 DaO Pilot countries + many selfstarters High Level Intergovern. conferences (Viet Nam, Rwanda, Uruguay, Albania) QCPR 2012 SOPs High Level Panel on System Wide Coherence Pilotphase Country Led Evaluations (2010 2011) Source: UN DOCO Independent Evaluation of DaO (2012) Implementation SOPs 2013-16: +100 countries rolling out UNDAF
2 --Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for DaO (i) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) tell us what and how to implement the 5 pillars of DaO (ii) SOPs cannot be uniformly applied. Adapted to country context and typology (iii) SOPs are supported by a HQ plan of action on systemic bottlenecks (iv) SOPs offer some good principles of coherence that can be widely applied 8
2 --UN Coherence principles at the core of UNICEF (i) a light and strategic UNDAF; (ii) joint programming w ith other UN agencies using a coordinated approach to deliver results and remove duplication of efforts; (iii) harmonized planning, monitoring and reporting instruments w ith clear agency accountability; (iv) full implementation of the management and accountability system, including the functional firew all; (v) an empowered RC and UN Country Team (UNCT): one voice: use of common messages on key issues w here the UN is active in the country; (vi) a common budgetary framework that transparently reflects the UN available and expected resources for achieving results; (vii) investment in common services if it demonstrates cost-savings and reduces transaction costs.
2 -- Applying UN coherence principles through SOPs One Programme A light and strategic UNDAF at outcome level. Common Budgetary Framework & One Fund One Leader UNCT develops a common budgetary framework. One Fund is optional. RC alone is not one leader. Both the RC and UNCT constitute one leadership. Operating as One Invest in common services where it is cost-efficient and costeffective. Communicating as One RC is not the one voice. Best placed UNCT agency speaks on relevant issue/s, according to mandate.
2 -- Examples of UN Coherence in practice Viet Nam - first ever national equity analysis on health Swaziland national campaign: Eliminating new HIV infections Philippines - joining efforts to promote Mother and Newborn Health
Message from UNICEF s Executive Director
3-- Big picture of Post-2015 Process: Key Interdependent Tracks Adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (September) Financing for Development (Addis Ababa Conference July) Climate Change/UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21 - Dec) World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) May 2016 UN Reform/Fit for Purpose 2015/2016
3-- UNICEF key messages on Fit for Purpose Purpose : Results for children! 1. Support SDG-based national implementation and budget frameworks; 2. Develop SDG-based UNDAFs that are poised to deliver on key SDGs; 3. Pursue more strategic partnerships frameworks in UMIC and HIC contexts; 4. Facilitate a global SDG monitoring (and acceleration) framework that can be adapted to country contexts; 5. No dark spots in the availability of disaggregated data for national planning, implementation and monitoring framew orks; 6. Adapt business models and joint funding modalities, w here they make sense in terms of efficiency gains and effective results; 7. Agile workforce equipped to operate in humanitarian-development continuum contexts and skilled on risk management and resilience approaches; 8. Women, including from the south, in senior leadership positions in UN country teams; 9. Forge multi-country, multi-stakeholder, multi-sector partnerships on specific issues of common concern w here w e must see change. 10. Implement the SOPs and apply good coherence principles of w orking together.
3 -- Moving to the next QCPR Embed the Sustainable Development Goals as the overarching framework for coherence in the UN development system Strategic and high-level giving UNCTs space and flexibility at country level Ensure a focus on results fit for purpose means fit for results. Build on the successes so far. Bringing together humanitarian, development and peace-building
Summary: UN Coherence & UNICEF QCPR matters for UNICEF. We are accountable to member states for QCPR implementation. Delivering as One is important for UNICEF provided the focus shifts from process to results. SOPs offer coherence principles that can lighten process, shift focus to results but application remains flexible. The Sustainable Development goals offer an overarching framework for coherence.
Thank you