UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR S OFFICE. Project Document: Support to UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe I. SITUATION ANALYSIS

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1 UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR S OFFICE Project Document: Support to UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe SUMMARY The project Support to UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe has the overall objective of ensuring that the necessary capacities and resources are made available to the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team to better implement the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework in support of national development priorities and the accelerated achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Project outcomes aim for enhanced policy advice and coordination support, improved joint planning and programming, and increased communications and advocacy capacities. The project is managed by the UNRCO and administered by UNDP, in its role as supporter of the RC system and its ensuing support to UN coherence efforts. The project is costed at USD 888,100 for a two year period. I. SITUATION ANALYSIS Zimbabwe is currently in a context of transition. The dynamic political and economic situation increasingly engages the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) as a significant partner in Zimbabwe s development. Moreover, ongoing humanitarian needs, as well as varying shifts to recovery posit the UN as a considerable player in supporting and leading the transition to a sustainable state of recovery, from relief to development. The role of the United Nations in Zimbabwe has thus become increasingly important, as both the Government of Zimbabwe and its Development Partners consider the UNCT to be a key strategic partner and as playing a vital role in coordinating and channelling support to the country. Accordingly, UN General Assembly Resolutions have called for increased UN coherence to support countries more efficiently and effectively. The United Nations Resident Coordinator s Office (UNRCO) is the entity which supports the UNCT in advancing the UN coherence agenda through coordination and advisory services. Currently, the Zimbabwe UNRCO is staffed with two national officers and one national associate. The enhanced role of the United Nations Country Team in Zimbabwe therefore calls for increased coordination capacities for a strong, flexible and versatile support system. II. STRATEGY In order for the UNCT to successfully fulfil its mandate, increased coordination capacities in the UNRCO are required. A two year strategy is therefore proposed, whereby the human and technical resources of the UNRCO would be enhanced to complement resources provided by UN Agencies in Zimbabwe and by UN Headquarters. This would result in significantly strengthened abilities to better manage and lead activities which increase UN coherence and proactively initiate positive and sustainable change. The project Support to UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe calls for increased capacities in terms of policy advice and coordination support, improved joint planning and programming, and increased communications and advocacy capacities. Ultimately, this project has the overall objective of supporting the coherent implementation of the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework Zimbabwe UNRCO Project Document of 5

2 (ZUNDAF) in support of national development priorities and the accelerated achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. III. PROJECT OUTCOMES Enhanced Policy Advice and Coordination Support A Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO at the International P4 level will be recruited to provide strategic support to the RC and UNCT in advancing UN coherence and inter-agency efforts, supporting the aid effectiveness agenda, establishing linkages with Government and the Development Partners, maximising on partnership opportunities, mobilising resources for system wide initiatives, and supporting regional and global advocacy efforts for the UN System. A Coordination Support Officer at International P2 level will be recruited to provide improved synergies and effective coordination and communication across the various functions of the UN Resident Coordinator system. Improved Joint Planning and Programming Increased capacity in the UNRCO will provide the UNCT with the opportunity to advance on joint planning and programming efforts. As such, support will be provided to ensure adequate planning in preparing for the operationalisation of the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework through capacity development activities, including a Gender Score Card exercise as well as training for the integration of the Human Rights Based Approach to ensure greater success in programme elaboration and implementation. A series of exercises, including workshops and training, will be held to develop a Joint Implementation Matrix for the coherent implementation of the ZUNDAF. This will be done through an efficient management and accountability framework for the UNCT. Increased Communications and Advocacy Capacities A UN Communication Specialist will be recruited at the International P3 level. The holder of this position will be responsible for advancing and institutionalising the agenda of joint UN communications, also ensuring among UN agencies, a wider and deeper knowledge of the importance of strategic communications to support the attainment of results. The UNCT will launch a web platform, including and revamped and enhanced website to provide a public coordination tool for all Development Partners in Zimbabwe. In addition, this web platform will include an intranet for UN entities engaged in Zimbabwe, also providing a space for Government and Development Partners to improve communications. Activities to strengthen communication capacities will be held to revive the UN Communication Groups, including the elaboration of a Joint UN Communications Strategy. Support will also be required to provide equipment to the United Nations Resident Coordinator s Office for its additional staff. Zimbabwe UNRCO Project Document of 5

3 IV. PROJECT APPROACH This project will focus on ensuring that the necessary capacities are in place to effectively support the UNCT in bringing forward the UN coherence agenda. Capacity development involves building the skills of both individuals and institutions. Efforts will focus on: targeted training which introduce new ideas and methods; quality and timely technical and policy support; effective networking; as well as accessing good practices and lessons learned. Improved capacities will ultimately ensure that the necessary resources are found within the UNRCO to support the integration of other key principles within UN programming, such as: Results Based Management, Environmental Sustainability, Gender complementarily, and the Human Rights Based Approach. Finally, a key element to the success of the approach involves stronger partnerships and relationships. V. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS The project Support to UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe will be managed, monitored and evaluated by UNDP and the UNRCO as a management project under the Direct Execution (DEX) modality. This project will be linked to UNDP S function as supporter of the RC System and its ensuing role in supporting UN coherence. The project will be implemented to support the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team Annual Work Plan, in line with guidance from the UN Development Group. Project implementation will be carried out under the supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator. The project will be managed on a daily basis by the Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO who will be responsible for: providing strategic advice to the RC and UNCT on emerging issues; developing, implementing and monitoring activities; managing funds; as well as preparing work plans and reports. Administrative and technical support will be provided by UNDP. VI. PROJECT COSTS FOR (UNFUNDED) OUTCOME ACTIVITY COST IN USD Strategic Planning Advisor 380,000 Enhanced Policy Advice and Coordination Support Officer in kind Coordination Support Office equipment for new staff 5,000 Gender Score Card 20,000 Improved Joint Planning HRBA Training 10,000 and Programming ZUNDAF Joint Implementation Exercises 25,000 Increased Communication and Advocacy Capacities Communications Specialist 340,000 Web Platform 25,000 Joint UN Communication Strategy 20,000 Office equipment for new staff 5,000 UNDP General Management Support at 7 percent 58,100 TOTAL 888,1000 Zimbabwe UNRCO Project Document of 5

4 VII. SUSTAINABILITY This project has been designed to ensure that human and technical resources of the Zimbabwe UNRCO are strengthened in order for it to duly fulfil its mandate in a sustainable manner. In this context, it is envisaged that funds obtained for this project, along with funds provided by UN Agencies in Zimbabwe and by UN Headquarters will together provide sufficient financing to the UNRCO for a two year period. With regards to staffing financed through this project, it is foreseen for the position of Strategic Planning Advisor (Head of RCO) to become a core position and thus be extended beyond the two year period. This position is essential in allowing for the UNRCO to duly fulfil its mandate in support of enhanced UN coordination and coherence. As such, efforts will be ongoing by the UNRCO to mobilise resources in ensuring that funds are available beyond the life-span of this project. With regards to the Coordination Support Officer (JPO) and the Communications Specialist, an internal assessment will be made after 18 months to determine if resources should be sought to extend these beyond the 24 month life-span of this project. It is anticipated that the capacities will gradually develop for national staff in the RCO as well as in the UN Communication Group, thus allowing for some or all of the functions performed by the Coordination Support Officer and the Communications Specialist to be absorbed. If it is determined that one or both positions should be extended, the UNRCO will undertake the necessary steps to finance these. As with the activities planned, these are set to strengthen the ability of the UNRCO and UNCT to better implement the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework in support of national development priorities and the accelerated achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. These will provide a basis for improved planning, programming and communications, laying the necessary foundations. If follow up activities are required, the UNRCO will utilise funds availed by UN Agencies in Zimbabwe and by UN Headquarters. VIII. RISK ANALYSIS No direct risks have been identified. Activities implemented will be done in such a manner that ensures the safety and security of individuals. Activities will be carefully prepared in consultation with all relevant partners and potential participants in order to ensure that intended outcomes are achieved. IX. MONITORING FRAMEWORK AND EVALUATION In accordance with UNDP programming policies and procedures, the project will be monitored through the following: Project Reports. The project manager shall prepare an annual project report during Q4 of year one. The report shall provide an overview of progress in relation to the work plan as well as a certified financial statement. Final Project Report. During Q4 of the second year, a final project report will be prepared, also serving as a final assessment. X. LEGAL CONTEXT This document constitutes a Project Document as referred to in the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement SBAA. Consistent with the Article III of the SBAA, the responsibility for the safety and Zimbabwe UNRCO Project Document of 5

5 security of the implementing partner and its personnel and property, and of UNDP s property in the implementing partner s custody, rests with the implementing partner. The implementing partner agrees to undertake all reasonable efforts to ensure that none of the UNDP funds received pursuant to the Project Document are used to provide support to individuals or entities associated with terrorism and that the recipients of any amounts provided by UNDP hereunder do not appear on the list maintained by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). This provision must be included in all sub-contracts or sub-agreements entered into under this Project Document. Zimbabwe UNRCO Project Document of 5