Overview
In January 2007, Albania was selected as one of eight countries around the world to pilot UN efforts to deliver as "One UN" following a request made by the Albanian Government to the United Nations.
Implementation of "One UN" at the country level has increased harmonization, efficiency and collaboration among UN agencies while maintaining their distinct focus and agenda. The goal of the One UN Programme in Albania is to enhance development results and impact by bringing together the comparative advantages of the UN system within a single strategic programme and to contribute to making a difference in the lives of Albanians.
The UN system has aligned its support to the European integration and development goals of Albania while complementing the assistance provided by other multilateral and bilateral development partners. Through the One UN Programme, in partnership with the Government and other development stakeholders in civil society and private sector, the UN system delivers focused and value-added results in development assistance as a harmonized organization with unity of purpose, coherence in management and efficiency in operations.
To accelerate the implementation of the One UN programme a One UN Coherence Fund is established. The joint development fund aims to maximize the effectiveness of the UN system delivery in Albania by pooling resources into a common fund to support Albania's strategic priorities.
To further accelerate coherence, efficiency and delivery at the country level, the One UN approach calls for un-earmarked commitments to a new, pooled instrument known as the 'Albania One UN Coherence Fund'. This joint development fund aims to maximize the effectiveness of United Nations system delivery in Albania by pooling resources into a common fund for top national strategic priorities, as defined by the One UN Programme.
The Albania One UN Coherence Fund is meant to streamline, simplify and increase harmonization and predictability of resources. Donors to the Coherence Fund are encouraged to contribute during the early stages of programme development and implementation and on a multi-year basis to the extent possible. This enhances predictability and helps ensure a strategic programme where funding decisions are driven by the highest national development priorities and strategies as contained in the One UN Programme.
The Albania One UN Coherence Fund is administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with its financial regulations and rules.
Assistance Strategy
The Albania One UN Programme (see below links to original document and subsequent amendments) builds on the areas of intervention of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2006-2010 agreed between the Government of Albania and participating UN Agencies. Following close consultations with the Government of Albania and other national and international stakeholders and building on priority areas of the UNDAF, it was agreed that under the One UN, impact and development effectiveness will be improved in the following areas:
- More transparent and accountable governance
- Greater inclusive participation in public policy and decision-making
- Increased and more equitable access to quality basic services
- Regional development to reduce regional disparities
- Environmentally sustainable development
In all five priority areas, the core principles of gender equality and development of national capacity are upheld and incorporated throughout the implementation process.
The One UN Programme is implemented in a collaborative manner under the strategic leadership of the Government of Albania and the UN Resident Coordinator. The UN Resident Coordinator provides leadership and coordination throughout the programming process as the One UN Leader. Prioritization of the funding allocation is determined jointly by the Government, the UN Resident Coordinator and the Participating UN Organizations through the Joint Executive Committee.
Governance
Government Modernization Committee (GMC)
With respect to the Programme, the GMC serves as the Government's highest-level policy, coordination and decision making authority. The GMC determines strategic priorities, monitors progress on an annual basis and ensures coordination of the One UN Programme with other inter-ministerial and cross-sectoral policies and priorities. The GMC is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and comprises five Ministers. The GMC serves as the Government's highest-level policy, coordination and decision making authority for the One UN Programme.
UN Joint Executive Committee (JEC)
Executive and joint decision making functions associated with the Programme are performed by the JEC. The JEC is co-chaired by the Director of the Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination of the Council of Ministers (DSDC) and the UN Resident Coordinator, and comprises the heads of Participating UN Organizations. The JEC is responsible for reviewing and approving funding priorities, prioritizing and approving the allocation of resources mobilized through the One UN Coherence Fund and oversight of the Fund's management and operations. A set of Fund Allocation Criteria guide the JEC. The Government jointly with the Resident Coordinator, through the JEC makes the final decisions on fund allocation based upon a well documented rationale.
Government Inter-Ministerial Working Group
The Working Group provides the GMC and JEC with technical advice on subjects falling within the scope of the programme and is composed of Secretary General level representatives of the Line Ministries. Special ad hoc sub-working "task" groups can be set up to address specific issues that arise.
Resident UN Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT)
The RC provides strategic leadership and coordination throughout the programming process as the One UN Leader. The RC jointly with Government as a member of the JEC reviews strategic annual work plans and approves fund priorities and ultimately makes decisions on the fund allocation. The UNCT, chaired by the Resident Coordinator, functions in a collegial and participatory manner. In the context of the One UN Programme and envisaged UN reforms, the UNCT engages in dialogue on reform and development priorities for Albania. The UNCT has designated substantive leadership to agencies for each of the One UN Programme outcome and thematic areas.
Administrative Agent (AA)
The UNDP Partner-Donor Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) has been appointed the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Albania One UN Coherence Fund. The AA's functions include receipt, administration and management of contributions from Donors; disbursement of such funds to the Participating UN Organizations in accordance with the approved Annual Work Plans/Programmatic Documents; provision of consolidated narrative and financial reports, in accordance with the MOU, on the Albania One UN Coherence Fund Account to the Resident Coordinator based on reports of the Participating UN Organizations. Some of the AA functions have been delegated to the UNDP Country Director in the country.
Programme Working Groups (PWGs)
The PWGs are responsible for supporting the implementation and the achievements of Results of the One UN Programme. There is a lead Agency for each of the five Pillars of the One UN Programme. The five PWGs each contribute to the One UN Annual Work Plan, allowing the UN team and the Government to see the overall programme implementation plan for the year in a transparent and clear manner and also providing a monitoring tool for the PWG leaders and the UNCT. The PWGs are also tasked with monitoring the overall implementation of their Pillar and reporting back to the UNRC/UNCT on progress, as per the One UN’s Monitoring and Evaluation schedule. The PWGs report to the Joint Executive Committee of the One UN Programme on a regular basis through their Chairs. The PWGs coordinate between each other and with cross-cutting working groups (gender and HIV/AIDS) as well as with national sector working groups to provide optimal support within the Programme and to avoid duplication with other international partners.
Decision-Making Process
Eligibility
All Participating UN Organizations that have signed the One UN Programme Document for Albania and Memorandum of Understanding are eligible to receive funds under the One UN Coherence Fund given that it contributes towards the achievement of result areas in the One UN Results Framework and that the agency has the specific mandate and required capacity.
Implementing Partners such as NGOs involved in the Common Operational Document will have access to the Albania One UN Coherence Fund through the Participating UN Organizations. The Participating UN Organizations will utilize their standard NGO cooperation modalities for this purpose and charge the corresponding direct and indirect costs to the Albania One UN Coherence Fund on the basis of its financial regulations and rules.
