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Joint Programmes

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Joint Programming

……process of a harmonized approach to prepare, support, implement, programmes together

Joint Programme

…activities in a common workplan with a common budget, implemented and funded by two or more UN Agencies and partners in support of a common result

Joint Programmes vs Joint Programming ?

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Rationale for Joint Programmes

• To maximize impact of UN interventions

• To reduce transaction costs - for government and donors

• To improve leveraging of UN resources in supporting the achievement of national goals

• Governments request more efficient and effective work processes from UN and partners

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When to consider a Joint Programme ?

When UN agencies plan to support a common result, have common (sub)national partners or cover common geographic areas

When two or more UN agencies share common results

When UN agencies and national partners and donors, see clear gains from combining their efforts and resources in a common workplan and budget.

Entry Point: UNDAF Results Matrix

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Fund management arrangements determine roles and responsibilities of participating agencies

PARALLEL fund management

POOLED fund management

PASS-THROUGH fund management

COMBINATION fund management

Fund Management Options

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Parallel Fund Management

• Participating UN agencies aim at common result but with different (sub)national partners

• Each organization manages its own activities within the common work plan and related budget

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Pooled Fund Management

• UN agencies working for common results with common (sub)national partners or in common geographical areas.

• All funds are pooled together to one UN agency acting as Managing Agent (MA).

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Pass-Through Fund Management

• Donors and participating agencies agree to channel funds through one UN organization acting as Administrative Agent

• Common workplan indicates activities of each participating UN agency

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Deciding on JP Fund Management

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Review of Lessons Learned in JPs

• Determine how JPs are used to contribute to national development results and national capacity building

• Learn from experience and process of implementation of the Joint Programme(s) and feedback for future

• Record notable results or impact of Joint Programmes

Countries

Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Bolivia, Paraguay, Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, India, Samoa, Afghanistan

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Preliminary Lessons Learned & Findings

• Objectives too broad & fail to define clear priorities

• First generation JPs characterized by learning curve & overcoming individual institutional cultures & mandates

• Infrequent JP Steering Committee meetings - communication informal or only on urgent FM issues

• Average duration of JPs too short

• Implementing partners not adequately involved in JP design

• Need for more focused JP trainings at the country level to supplement general orientation sessions

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Lessons Learned & Findings - continued

• JPs can scale-up ongoing collaborative efforts by broadening scope of existing objectives.

• JPs create a platform for knowledge management and exchange.

• JPs mainstream thematic priorities that are not exclusive to any one UN agency.

• JP experience acquired in implementation informs & influences UNDAF Planning Process.

• JPs reduce duplication of UN system activities

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How will the findings be used ?

• input to the review of JP Guidance Note in 2006

• input to 2006 UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA Executive Board reporting requirements

• potential research input to country Annual Review and UNDAF evaluation

• enhancement of training and learning materials on Joint Programmes

• for the identification of good practices in joint programme implementation

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Joint Programme Resources

• UNDG Website Joint Programmes

• Examples of Joint Programme documents

• Joint Programmes information on UNCT database

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Country Experiences

• Joint Programme Guidelines

• Coordination Practice Net

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Joint Programme – Some Final Messages

• Joint programmes are not mandatory – there are no targets.

driven by the country situation and context, explore opportunities where two or more UN

agencies share common results

• Only two or more agencies are needed to develop a joint programme – more does not necessarily mean better

• Joint programmes are not new – just revised guidance in the 2003 Guidance Note.

• Language given in the standard MoUs and LoAs in the Annexes of the Guidance Note should not be altered.

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Group Exercise

• What are the challenges you face or key concerns you have regarding the development and implementation of joint programmes ?

• At your tables, write them on down VIPP cards – one card for each challenge / concern