New Generation UNDAFs: Are we Rising to the Challenge?

1. New Generation UNDAFs:Are we Rising to the Challenge? Dr. Jacqui Badcock UN Resident Coordinator, Philippines UNDG Asia-Pacific and Resident Coordinator’s Strategic Dialogue 12 November 2010, Dhaka, Bangladesh

2. Outline of Presentation • Rationale for making a step change in the relevance and quality of next generation UNDAF • Development of a new UNDAF • Roadmap/ Plan of Engagement • National ownership • Alignment • Self-reflection • Learning from DAO and self-starters • Genuine willingness to change • Discussion on UNDAF options • Country Analysis • Strategic Planning • Monitoring and Evaluation • Role of the UNDG Asia-Pacific

3. Call for a step change in the relevance and quality of next UNDAF Particularly in middle-income status countries…. The UN needs to leverage its impartial role and focus more on advocacy, coordination, technical assistance and policy advice. UN to do more with less Implementation of Paris Declaration Principles

4. Development of a new UNDAF Mandatory Steps 1. Road Map 2. Country Analysis 3. Strategic planning (Results Matrix) 4. M&E

5. UNDAF Roadmap/ Plan of Engagement • Removal of UN-prescribed calendar months to align with the national planning processes is a step in the right direction • UNDG to ensure more timely release of the UNDAF Guidelines • UNDG Cluster to ensure more timely conduct of Regional UNDAF Workshops • Key steps for UNCT: • Map out the national planning process, including relevant stakeholders and mechanisms to engage them • Assess UNDAF-related training needs at early stage • Identify/ set-up inter-agency UNDAF (internal and external) governance mechanisms • Set up the UNDAF Working Group, with M&E Group, Communications and Operations in the loop on UNDAF developments • Identify/mobilize funds to implement the UNDAF roadmap • UNCT to make the UNDAF and UNDAF Action Plan (or CPAPs) one seamless process, while respecting obligation of the agencies to submit their CPDs (or equivalent)

6. National ownership that is inclusive of all stakeholders in all stages of the UNDAF process

7. Alignment of UNDAF with national priorities and planning cycle

8. Alignment of UNDAF with national priorities and planning cycle

9. Self reflection and benefitting from lessons learned of previous UNDAF Mainstream crosscutting principles (e.g. HRBA and gender) in planning, implementation and M&E Have a joint Communication Strategy Leverage UNCT comparative advantage in policy advocacy and knowledge transfer Play an enhanced role in South-South cooperation • Focus, focus, focus • Determine sectoral and geographical prioritization • Establish an appropriate UNDAF governance and management structures • Promote wider stakeholder participation • Increase participation of non-resident agencies • Strengthen results-based management

10. Teamwork and teambuilding are critical Learning from DAO pilots and self-starters One Programme is the central driver of Delivering as One • It is highly recommended • to start with the One Programme at the start of a new UNDAF cycle

11. Genuine willingness of the UNCT and readiness to change the way we do business

12. UNDAF Options: Considerations UNCT proposal to combine the two options: UNDAF Results Matrix with Outcome level and potential areas of interest replacing outputs + UNDAF Action Plan

13. Country Analysis • Flexibility to summarize findings from recent up-to-date data sources & analytical processes is a welcome development • Often there has been a disconnect between country analysis and UNDAF priorities • Country analysis should also map out national priorities and opportunities • Timely completion of country analysis to have solid basis fordiscussion with partners and stakeholders at the prioritization retreat

14. Strategic Planning Capacity Review/ Assessment CCA • Need to identify strategic areas of focus: • Upstream or downstream work? • Geographic sites • Equity/ inclusive growth Opportunities Mainstreaming of crosscutting principles and strategies

16. REVISED PROPOSED UNDAF PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS _ as of 28 Oct 2010 CROSSCUTTING PRINCIPLES – human rights, gender, culture, environmental sustainabilitySTRATEGIES – Science and Technology, communications for development, voluntary participation in development (“volunteerism”), geographical and vulnerable group targeting, peace-building, capacity development

17. M&E: Mutual Accountability for Development Results • Aligning UNDAF review process with that of the national process • Importance of integrating M&E at the design stage of the UNDAF • UN M&E Group working closely with the national M&E Network

18. Role of UNDG Asia-Pacific Group • Timely conduct of Regional UNDAF Workshops, agenda designed to include HOAs (for new developments and high-level discussion) and UN staff working on the UNDAF (for hands-on/practical training sessions) • Early and sustained engagement of the UNDG A-P, through the designated Convening Agency (i.e. UNFPA for the Philippines) • More guidance and support needed on the following, among others,: • Deciding on the UNDAF options (pros and cons with country examples) • Lessons learned, good practices from other UNCTs and UNDAF roll-out countries (e.g. FAQs) • Provide referral, opportunity for peer-to-peer support particularly amongst UNDAF roll-out countries in similar context; (e.g. database/roster of consultants; TOR) • Mechanics/guidelines on mainstreaming of crosscutting principles/strategies (e.g. Culture, S&T, communications, etc) • Capacity assessment/review, especially for MICs • Strategic discussions with the UNCT • Quality Support Assurance – expectations seem unclear