Fund Dates

• Start Date: 1 January 2004
• End Date: 31 December 2013

UNDG ITF - Reports

• 2013 Fourteenth Consolidated Annual Progress Report (1 January to 31 December 2013) and Annexes
• 2016 Financial Statement

Lessons Learned Exercise

An independent Lessons Learned Exercise of the UNDG ITF was carried out in 2010/11. The Lessons Learned Exercise, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, examined the development and operational effectiveness of the UNDG ITF and results towards recovery, reconstruction and development efforts in Iraq since 2003.

• Arabic / English

IRFFI Donor Committee Meeting - 18 January 2012

• Final Statement 18 Jan 2012
• Progress Report of World Bank Iraq Trust Fund

UNDG ITF - Newsletter

• Final edition - January 2012

IRFFI reconstruction and development activities were initially based on the priority areas emerging from the 2003 UNDG/World Bank Needs Assessment that covered 14 priority sectors and cross-cutting themes. Subsequently, UNDG ITF projects were developed to support priorities outlined in the Government of Iraq’s (GoI) National Development Strategy (2004, 2005, and 2007) and the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) (2007). The objective of the National Development Strategy (NDS) is to serve as the overarching framework for government reconstruction and development activities. The ICI serves as a mechanism for Iraq to meet clear security, political, and economic reform benchmarks, with the support of the international community, while defining how the international community will support reforms.

The role of the United Nations (UN) in Iraq is derived from Security Council Resolutions (SCR) 1546 (2004) and SCR 1770 (2007) and operates under the supervision of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG). The UNDG ITF helps finance the implementation of the activities entrusted to the UN system by the Government of Iraq, with particular emphasis on areas where the UN has comparative advantage.

With an expanded mandate under SCR 1770, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) for Iraq is providing humanitarian, reconstruction and development assistance. The UN Iraq Assistance Strategy for 2008-10will guide the UN’s future activities. It was developed in consultation with the GoI, the donor community and NGOs to ensure that it supports national priorities namely the ICI and NDS as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

UNCT Sectoral Assistance StrategyTo coordinate the UNCT’s work, the “cluster” coordination structure was initially established along 11 thematic lines composed of Participating UN Organizations with a specific mandate and expertise in the particular thematic area. In 2005, the original cluster coordination structure was streamlined into 7 clusters and subsequently in 2007, the coordination structure was redesigned into 8 new Sector Outcome Teams (SOT).

Four key outcomes form the basis of the new coordination structure:

• improved and equitable access to essential social services;
• strengthened civilian protection;
• accelerated and inclusive economic development; and,
• strengthened governance.

To increase the level of interaction with the GoI and ensure alignment with national priorities, the sectors are represented in Baghdad by a Policy Group staffed by senior agency specialists in the areas of essential services, protection, governance and economic development. The Policy Group is in regular and direct contact with the relevant GoI counterparts.

International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)

The IRFFI enables donors to fund activities administered by UNDG ITF on behalf of the Participating UN Organisations and/or activities administered by the World Bank ITF (WB ITF) under a joint coordination and monitoring mechanism that operates in accordance with the IRFFI Terms of Reference.

Coordination is achieved through the Donor and the Executive Committees. The Executive Committee is chaired by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation (MoPDC), and is comprised of the Donor Committee Chairperson, and representatives of the United Nations and the World Bank. The Executive Committee ensures alignment between IRFFI activities and the overall Iraqi priorities, including those in the ICI, and coherent planning, monitoring, and reporting between UNDG ITF and WB ITF activities.

The Donor Committee is comprised of donors who have made a minimum contribution of US $10 million to either or both the WB ITF or UNDG ITF. In addition, two seats on the Donor Committee are given to representatives of other donors contributing less than US $10 million. The Word Bank, UNDG, IMF and MoPDC hold observer status. The Chairmanship is drawn from members of the Donor Committee. Its responsibilities include ensuring coherence and collaboration between the IRFFI, and the Iraqi National Development Strategy (NDS) and International Compact with Iraq (ICI). It oversees monitoring and evaluation, and reviews progress of the IRFFI activities. Solicitation of new contributions and donors are also within its mandate.

UNDG ITF Steering Committee
The UNDG ITF is governed by a coordination structure that ensures inter-agency, donor, and government participation in the identification, design, development, approval, implementation and monitoring of UNDG ITF activities.

The Steering Committee is established to oversee and coordinate the operations of the UNDG ITF in accordance with the UNDG ITF Steering Committee Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure, which are designed to guide and facilitate the work of the Committee. The Steering Committee provides overall strategic guidance and oversight as well as makes decisions on fund allocation.

The UNDG ITF Steering Committee operates under the supervision of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and is chaired by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG). The Committee is composed of the Heads of each Participating UN Organizations and, as of September 2008, two members of the donor committee. The European Commission and the Government of Canada will be members of the Steering Committee for a one year period from September 2008 to September 2009.

The Steering Committee operates by consensus and meets bi-monthly or anytime it should be required, upon initiation from the Chair. The Committee instituted a ‘fast-track process’ for members to respond and decide on project proposals electronically so as to expedite urgent time-bound projects particularly election related projects. The Committee is supported by a Steering Committee Support Office (SCSO) that facilitates the work of and assists the Steering Committee in its various obligations. The SCSO reports to the Chair.

Sector Outcome Team (SOT)

The SOTs are designed to increase strategic planning, programming and coordination with the GoI to achieve improved and equitable access to essential social services, strengthened civilian protection, accelerated and inclusive economic development, and strengthened governance. The SOT serves as a coordinating mechanism for technical review, planning, prioritization and approving projects working closely with the relevant counterpart ministries. Membership includes Participating UN Organizations and NGOs active in the various sectors.

Peer Review
The Peer Group is comprised of the BPG members and donors. Its primary responsibility is to review documents that have been reviewed by the SOTs and the SCSO to ensure they are strategic and responsive to the current needs identified by the GoI before they are forwarded to the ISRB, as indicated in the ICI. It does not undertake a technical review.

The ISRB provides overall policy and strategic guidance for donor assistance and it is the final approving authority for all programming in Iraq including IRRFI/UNDG ITF funded projects. Chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation (MoPDC), the ISRB reviews all IRFFI projects before they are submitted to the UNDG ITF Steering Committee for final approval.

The MoPDC chairs the ISRB and is the GoI’s primary interlocutor with the Facility. It ensures that resources are applied toward Iraq’s prioritized needs and equitably distributed. The MoPDC works closely with the Ministry of Finance to ensure conformity with the overall budgetary framework, and maintains an overview of the project development and implementation processes of the two Trust Funds.

Administrative Agent
The Participating UN Organizations have designated UNDP’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office to serve as the Administrative Agent for the UNDG ITF. Its responsibilities include the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organizations, in accordance with instructions from the Steering Committee; and consolidation and dissemination of narrative and financial reports, produced by each of the Participating UN Organizations to the Steering Committee and donors. The Administrative Agent will also commission independent lessons-learned and review exercises of the entire UNDG ITF operations, as requested by the Steering Committee.

Eligibility
Any Participating UN Organization that has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Administrative Agent is eligible to submit project documents for UNDG ITF funding.

Proposal Submission
Project documents to the UNDG ITF are to be submitted to the UNDG ITF Steering Committee Support Office (SCSO). Participating UN Organizations prepare project documents utilizing the standard project proposal submission form, using the template annexed to the Steering Committee Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure.

Project Document Review & Approval Process

1. A Participating UN Organization(s), in consultation with the Government of Iraq (GoI) partner(s), prepare a Programme or Project Concept Note (PCN) that is in line with the ICI and NDS, and receives a letter of endorsement from the relevant government partner(s).

2. The PCN, and accompanying government endorsement letter, is reviewed by the Sector Outcome Team (SOT), endorsed and the relevant documents are forwarded to the Steering Committee Support Office (SCSO).

3. The SCSO documents the relevant information and forwards it to the Iraq Strategic Review Board (ISRB). The ISRB has five working days “no objection’ period to respond.

4. With the ISRB endorsement the Participating UN Organization(s) proceeds to develop a full proposal, with the relevant line ministries, and submit it to the SOT Leader for review. The SOT will review, consult with the SCSO and present a final document that is then submitted to the Peer Review Group.

5. The Peer Review Group will review the proposal and either endorse, endorse with comments or reject it.

6. Following endorsement by the Peer Review Group, the proposal is forwarded to the ISRB with the exception of electoral proposals that are fast-tracked*.

7. Following ISRB approval, the SCSO informs the UNDG ITF Steering Committee Chair and a meeting of the Steering Committee is convened within two weeks of ISRB approval.

8. The Agency Representative and SOT Leader present the final proposal to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will approve, approve with comments or reject the proposal. Approved proposals are duly signed and forwarded to the MPTF Office for release of fund within one week of signature.

* Fast-Track Approval
The UNDG ITF provides a 'Fast Track Process' to allow Steering Committee members to expedite project documents for urgent time-bound activities, particularly support to the Electoral Processes.