Nigeria

UNDP Support to UN Country Team Nigeria

In Nigeria, UNDP manages the Resident Coordinator System (RCS) with the Resident Representative of UNDP as the Resident Coordinator. The RC System works towards the goal of having all members of the UN System deliver as ‘One’.

Programme Management
UNDP plays an active role within the UN Country Team (UNCT) on programme issues through its chairmanship of the Programme Management Team (PMT). The PMT is the organ of the UN system in Nigeria for planning and monitoring development policy and programmatic collaboration across resident and non-resident agencies. The PMT represents a key instrument of the UNCT – together with the Operations Management Team (OMT) – in advancing the strategic goal of delivering as ‘One’ in Nigeria. It has functions in five broadly-defined areas: policy analysis and advocacy; programming; networking and partnerships; strengthening of internal collaboration mechanisms within the Country Team; and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Since the second quarter of 2007, the PMT has engaged intensively in the formulation of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) II for 2009-12, working under the guidance of the Country Team. The PMT has carried out analyses of Nigeria’s development situation and the comparative advantage of the UN System in the country, held training programmes for staff and government partners, organised key meetings with government and development partners and managed internal task teams bringing together almost 60 staff from all agencies to prepare inputs for the UNDAF. As formulation of the UNDAF is completed in the first quarter of 2008, the focus of the PMT will shift towards using the new framework for delivering as ‘One’.

UN Common Services/Premises
UNDP through the UN Operations Management Team (UNOMT) manages the UN House and related Common Services under the guidance of UNCT. The UNOMT serves as an advisory body to the UNCT on the management of UN Common Services. The UNOMT was created to ensure participation of all agencies in the management of the UN House. UNDP serves as the permanent Vice Chair of the UNOMT as well as member in different Networks. The responsibility of UNDP as the lead agency for the management of the UN House and related Common Services is covered by an MOU signed by all agencies. This is done under the Common Services unit managed by UNDP.

The management of UN House involves all aspects of budgeting/ expenditure/ reporting, UN House related procurements, staff recruitment/supervision/evaluation and discipline, IT support to small agencies, strategic planning as well as maintenance of premises. Facilities currently under the UN House Common Services include cafeteria, fuel dump/ repair garage, meeting rooms, bank, mail/ pouch, Reception/ Telephone, Travel Agency, and the gymnasium. The management of the UN House clinic is also supervised by UNDP.

UNDP through the UNOMT is also responsible for the harmonization of practices, leading to the development of new Common Services.

In addition, UNDP supports the Resident Coordinator’s Office and agencies not represented in the country in the areas of procurement, recruitment, payment, travel services, etc.