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Lessons Learned Joint Office in Cape Verde UNDG Office 12 May 2006. Introduction. Challenges. Developing a clear vision of where we are headed The time pressure to roll out 20 countries. Introduction. No Challenges without Opportunities. To be creative and innovative.
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Lessons Learned Joint Office in Cape Verde UNDG Office 12 May 2006
Introduction Challenges • Developing a clear vision of where we are headed • The time pressure to roll out 20 countries
Introduction No Challenges without Opportunities • To be creative and innovative. • To learn from each other and to adopt the best. • New commitment and determination.
Cape Verde Achievements: • One UN Representative for Funds & Programmes who is also the RC • One Common Country Programme for Funds and Programme (an elaboration of the UNDAF which still covers all other agencies) • One programme budget • One UN House • One agency providing support services with one support budget • One “UN” identity for the office, but with agency identities maintained for programme results • One programme team drawing staff from all agencies
Introduction Essence of CV model • Original aim was to move towards an integrated UN office: Proved to be difficult but remains long term goal. • Adopted Support Agency Model where one agency’s business processes were adopted and that agency (UNDP) provides back up support for operations. • Externally agency neutral but internally UNDP business processes.
Lessons Conditions favourable to the joint office • Stability and security in the country • Government commitment to UN reform • UNCT committed and had a good record of working together • Existence of common services and premises
Lessons Lessons in Implementation • Continuous government support is needed • HQ and Regional Office Role • RDs role in selection of countries, endorsement of common country programme, approval of new structure and continued oversight. • Leadership at HQ to provide guidance and solutions to emerging problems. (Inter agency working groups, DGO, MG). • Current inter agency WG mechanism is time consuming, need a more efficient system.
Lessons Lessons in Implementation 3. Country Representation • Need commitment of all agencies to provide in country leadership on a continuous basis during the transition • Need the RC / UNCT to be convinced and promoting reform. 4. The staff of Participating agencies • Staff need to be fully informed and their concerns expected and addressed. • Staff associations to be consulted and involved
Lessons Lessons in Implementation • The Country Programme • A harmonized programme cycle was an advantage. Harmonizing the start date of the pilot with the beginning of the new country programme cycle helped with developing a common country programme.
Lessons Lessons in Implementation 6. New structure of the UNF&P • The adoption of the support agency model proved to be time consuming and expensive. • Discussions and decisions on all business processes need to be resolved before the transition begins. • A senior team from needs to discuss change management with the country team at an early stage. 7. Agency visibility and accountability • Each agency needs to retain accountability for results
Lessons Outstanding Challenges • Transfer of savings to programme 2. The absence of a Joint Office legal identity 3. Reaching consensus on common operational modalities and harmonised business processes
Conclusion • Joint Office pilot is a unique experience still in its early stages. • Too early to assess the impact of the initiative on programme effectiveness. • There are still problems that are being resolved as they arise. • A new milestone in UN reform has been established.