| Delivering as One UN Rwanda |
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UN Reform in Rwanda - UNity in Diversity The UN Country Team (UNCT) in Rwanda has made significant progress in`Delivering as One’ since the signing of the One UN Concept note in April 2007. “Delivering as One” The Secretary Generals High Level Panel report on System Wide Coherence advocates for the UN System to ‘Deliver as One’ to overcome fragmentation and increase impact and efficiency of its assistance and coherence of its actions. However, lengthy inter-governmental negotiations are required to implement the report’s recommendations, many of which would mean an important change in the way that UN’s higher level structures work. In the meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General has decided that the UN System in the field could move ahead with the ‘One UN’ pilot in a number of countries. Upon the request by the Government, Rwanda was selected as one of the eight pilot countries in January 2007, in addition to Albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tanzania, Viet Nam and Uruguay. Shared responsibility Government ownership and partnership are central to the reform at the country level. The One UN Steering Committee is chaired by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. Throughout the pilot process the Government of Rwanda has provided guidance, shown ownership and exercised leadership. Strong political and financial support is required from the Development Partners in Rwanda for the reform to succeed. Also the civil society, private sector and media need to be engaged. The objective of the pilot is to improve the impact, coherence, efficiency and positioning of the UN system in Rwanda to better help the country meet the MDGs and guide it towards the fulfilment of the Vision 2020. Instead of being “funding–driven”, UN is now “results–driven”. Operating as One UN at the country level does not mean that UN agencies are merged together into a single entity. Instead, UN agencies will work closely and jointly to achieve the four ‘Ones’: One Programme, One Budgetary Framework, One Leader and One Office. A common Communications Strategy is interlinked with the Four Ones.
One ProgrammeThe One Programme The One Programme is the starting point for ensuring that operations are guided by strategic development objectives. The UN Country Team is engaged into a mutual planning process under one planning framework. The UN Development Assistance Framework, UNDAF, for 2008-2012 is a good example of a joint coherent programme. The shared programming process maximises the benefits of using agency specific skills, their comparative advantages and mandates. The UN country team will thus work in Unity, while recognising the unique contribution and Diversity of each agency.
The UNDAF and the One Programme focuses on five strategic results: a) Governance; b) Health, HIV, Nutrition and Population; c) Education; d) Environment and e) Sustainable Growth and Social Protection.This programme is fully aligned with the national priorities as defined in Vision 2020 and the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS). The joint UN planning and programming is reinforced through common monitoring and reporting coordinated by UNDAF Theme Groups and linked to resource allocation. This will ensure that UN agencies work together throughout the implementation cycle.
One BudgetOne Budgetary Framework The One Budgetary Framework is the heart of the reform. It ensures that UN agencies commit to the common framework while delivering results based on the One Programme. Each agency’s core resources will remain within the control of the agency, but spending will be fully aligned with the ‘One Programme’.
The Resident Coordinator works together with the UN Country Team to advocate with donors to fill the anticipated resource gap for the One Fund. Resources will be allocated to the agencies via a performance- and needs-based allocation system. {mosimage}
The One Budgetary Framework consists of three types of resources: Core resources, Vertical funds (thematic trust funds, national committees) and ‘To be mobilized funds,’ which constitute the funding gap of the One Fund. The total Budgetary Framework amounts to 488 million USD. 155 million USD are core resources, 177 million USD vertical funds and 155 million USD need to be mobilised. For more information, please visit: http://www.undp.org/mdtf/one-un-funds/rwanda
One VoiceThe One Voice During high level meetings such as the Development Partners’ Meeting, the Resident Coordinator speaks on behalf of the whole UNCT. To support the One Voice, a joint communication strategy was developed outlining key messages, priority audiences and communication objectives. It will be implemented through five action plans covering media relations, graphic profile, publications and common communication tools such as the UN Rwanda Website. For more information, you can download the You can also download our
One LeaderOne Leader The strengthened UN Resident Coordinator system supports the United Nations Country Team and ensures effective dialogue with partners. The resource mobilisation function for the One UN Fund is the task of the Resident Coordinator, who also has overall responsibility for the delivery of the ‘One Programme’. A Code of Conduct clearly defines roles, responsibilities and accountabilities between the members of the United Nations Country Team at the country level. The Resident Coordinator will guide and facilitate the programme design to reach the UNCT consensus and ultimately make decisions. Each member of the UNCT will represent not only his/her own agency, but the entire UN. The One UN Steering Committee, composed of government officials, donor representatives and the UN, provides guidance to the UN at country level. The UN system is thus supported by a coherent governance structure, with clear reporting lines and decision-making system. This ensures that the UN speaks with One Voice and is guided by common objectives. {mosimage} Mr Aurélien Agbénonci of Benin is from March 2008 the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda. He has longstanding ties with the United Nations dating back to 1986. In his position as the UN Resident Coordinator Mr Agbénonci will lead the UN Country Team and the implementation of the Delivering as One UN Reform in Rwanda, as one of eight Delivering as One UN pilot countries in the world. Click the following link for a short
One OfficeOne Office The UN in Rwanda has taken important steps towards Common Services in the field of human resources, ICT, finances, administration, security and procurement. A joint UN recruitment panel has been set up and a UN Travel Agency, a UN Security Unit and a UN Dispensary are already in place. Future areas include a shared e-mail platform and joint procurement arrangements. The pooling of resources and support functions in the ‘One Office’ will ensure efficiency gains and reduce costs. The Government of Rwanda has allocated a plot to build the UN House in Kigali which would accommodate most of the UN agencies working in Rwanda under one roof.
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UN Rwanda Communication Strategy
