Transcript UNAIDS Technical Support Facilities (TSFs)

Joint UN Teams and
Programmes on AIDS
Lessons from a
UNDP/UNAIDS e-Discussion
What was the e-Discussion?
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Initiated by Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Deputy
Executive Director, and Ad Melkert, UNDP
Associate Administrator
September- October 2007
Questions:
 Challenges encountered in the establishment of
Joint UN Teams on AIDS?
 Actions and factors that have supported or
inhibited the development of Joint Programmes
of Support?
Responses
Received from 28 countries – from RCs, UNDP Country
Directors, UCCs and joint team members
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Underscored commitment to ensuring the success of
Joint Teams and joint programmes
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Emphasized that coordination on AIDS is key
contribution to wider UN reform and ‘delivering as
one’
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Noted where there was some history of joint
programming, transition was easier from individual
agency to full joint programme
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Described evolving progress with considerable initial
challenges
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Expressed that joint programmes necessitates a
certain amount of 'learning by doing'
Challenges
Transition from Individual to Joint
Programme of Support
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Changing mindsets and established ways of
working
Transition to true joint programme – not just
compilation of agency activities
‘Retro-fitting' agency specific plans into joint
programme, rather than starting from agreed
priorities and joint strategic planning
Lack of adherence to Division of Labour
Accountability mechanisms not well articulated:
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adapting TORs
evaluating performance of Joint Team members
holding agencies accountable to their commitments to
the Joint Team
Functions of the Joint Team and UN
Theme Group on AIDS
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Perceived overlapping roles in work of Theme
Group and Joint Team
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Joint Team may be seen as weakening the
authority of well-functioning Theme Group
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Value added of maintaining both structures
was questioned by some
Human and Financial Resource Capacities
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Few agencies have full-time HIV programme
staff
not all joint team members have time
to participate actively
Technical capacities of joint team members
vary across agencies
Lack of agreement on administrative and
financial structures to support joint programme
Weak harmonization of procedures among
agencies hindered mobilization of resources for
joint activities
Reluctance of agencies to merge funding
Communication with Country Partners
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Lines of communication with government can
be unclear: who should be communicating
about what?
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Agencies continue communications on agencydriven agendas, rather than speaking for UN
system
Supporting
Factors
UNCT Commitment
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Overwhelming factor identified for success is
leadership of RC and UNCT (agency country
representatives)
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Role of dedicated and skilled UCC
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Contributions of RCs, Theme Group Chairs and
UCCs in helping Cosponsors to arrive at
consensus to present to national counterparts
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Commitment and the efforts of Joint Team
members ensures effective development and
implementation of joint programmes
Development of Joint Programmes - 1
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Recognizing that the programme should centre
on joint planning and resource mobilization and
coordinated, complementary implementation,
based on National AIDS Plan
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Process of formulating the joint programme as
important as final programme : clarified roles
and responsibilities, helped build commitment
and ownership, and provided platform for
addressing challenges of funding issues
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Focus more on results via sound joint
programme, rather than on structures of Joint
Team
Development of Joint Programmes - 2
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Division of Labour adapted on comparative
advantages important in clarifying roles and
promoting joint programming
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Joint development of HIV component of UNDAF
ensures that joint programme and UNDAF
outcomes are aligned
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Implementation of joint HIV in UN workplace
programmes creates supportive environment
for moving towards a joint programme
Human Resources
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Capacity assessments of the joint team and
mapping of available technical resources
Team retreats, regular reviews and stocktaking
exercises
Systematic capacity building plan for Joint
Teams within context of UN Learning Strategy
Joint Team members assessed on their
contribution to joint programmes
Timeline for revising TORs for Joint Team
members
Results included in performance assessments
Financial Resources
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Mapping of financial resources
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Joint resource mobilization strategy and
initiatives defining means for collaboration in
order to avoid competition for funds
Working with Country Partners
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Consultation and coordination between the
Joint Team and National AIDS Authorities and
other national partners
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Communication from the RC to government,
donors and civil society partners to introduce
Joint Team
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Donors support and provide funding for Joint
Programmes
Thank you