UN Contribution and Common Activities
GUIDANCE ON FAO'S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR'S SYSTEM AND TO OTHER UN ACTIVITIES AT COUNTRY LEVEL (OSD June 2015)
FAO is committed to the UN Reform and to contribute to the “Delivering as One” (DaO) initiative, in those countries which have voluntarily adopted the DaO approach. Irrespective of DaO status, FAORs are expected to work with the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in each country to effectively develop the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which is the main basis for the One UN Programmes in DaO countries, and create efficiencies and apply best practices.
Cooperation with the UNCT and the UNRC at country level follows the guidance provided by the United Nations Development Group, which focuses on a few main workstreams: (1) joint programming and joint programmes; (2) joint funding; (3) resident coordinator system and UNCT interaction; (4) joint business operations; (5) transition from relief to development (UNDG-ECHA).
Below is guidance on the following topics, including references to relevant contribution and cost share guidance:
- UN Resident Coordinator activities
- FAO and harmonization of business operations at country level
- UN Resident Coordinator activities
- Business Operations Harmonization
UN Resident Coordinator activities.
Starting from the 2014/15 biennium, FAO makes an annual payment to UNDG (about USD 2 million) as its contribution for the UNRC system worldwide. As indicated in the message on the right hand side of the screen under Documents, “Guidance Note…”, FAO Country Offices should make no further direct contribution to the running costs of the UNRC office and activities, since all such costs (other than for common premises or joint services, where applicable) are covered by the centralized cost-share.
The document “UNDG Review of Funding Modalities in Support of the Resident Coordinator System” (on the right hand side of the screen under Documents) notes that, at country level, ten functions are agreed to constitute the essential coordination activities performed by Resident Coordinators and UNCTs. These functions, covered by the annual HQ payment, include:
1. Strategic analysis and planning
2. Oversight of the UN country programming cycle
3. Representation of and support of UN Secretariat and UN agencies/NRAs
4. Support to national coordination systems and processes
5. Development and management of shared operational support services
6. Crisis management preparedness and response
7. External communication and advocacy
8. Human Rights and Development
9. Joint Resource mobilization and fund management
10. General UNCT oversight and coordination
In case of doubt or need for additional guidance, please contact the Regional Office.
FAO is committed to continuing to pursue more cost-effective support services at all levels. As part of an ongoing effort of the UN system to achieve more cost-effective support services at country level, the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) developed the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and incorporated it as core element of the “Operating as One” pillar of the Standard Operating Procedures for countries adopting “Delivering as One” approach. At country level, the UN Country Team, where FAO is full member, may decide to develop a Business Operations Strategy for the country including all or some of the areas listed below or decide to undertake harmonization activities in separate functional areas listed below without developing BOS. If you want to know more about how to approach discussion within UNCTs and OMTs and the considerations for possible FAO involvement in country level initiatives on Business Operations Harmonisation please consult the below guidance in possible participation of FAO in BOS and for each of the functional areas ( to be gradually populated in 2016):
1. FAO and Inter-Agency Business Operations Harmonization at country level:
The BOS is a flexible and voluntary tool for UN Country Teams to support the implementation of their UNDAFs through greater collaboration between UN agencies in country level business operations. The BOS is based on existing guidance, integrated in one framework, supplemented with a limited number of (voluntary) instruments facilitating cost benefit analysis, results-based planning and monitoring and evaluation of Common Business Operations. The current BOS guidance note will be revised in 2016 to improve the approach based on lessons learned from the BOS pilots. More information and considerations for possible FAO involvement development and participation in the BOS are available here.
2. Functional areas: (click to open) (open all | close all)
Common premisesThe decision to join UN Common Premises is made at the corporate level based on the advice of the FAO Representative, the concerned Regional Office and OSD. Once a decision has been made, due diligence must be exercised to ensure that joining forces with our UN partners does not result in higher costs or poorer quality services for the Organization. The FAOR and the other participating members of the UNCT should participate in the management discussions to ensure that FAO gets good value for money and does not spend more than is necessary.Info will be uploaded in 2016Common logistics and transportInfo will be uploaded in 2016Info will be uploaded in 2016Common HRInfo will be updated in 2016Common auditInfo will be updated in 2016Common financeInfo will be updated in 2016Info will be updated in 2016