Overview
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have established a Joint Programme entitled "Raising Competitiveness of the Region through Innovative Approaches to Regional Planning and Social Services (using Semey as an example)” that is using a pass-through funding modality. The Kazakhstan Joint Programme aims to improve quality of life of the population, and advance progress towards Millennium Development Goals achievement in Eastern Kazakhstan, in particular in the districts severely hit by the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
The Kazakhstan Joint Programme encompasses:
• A duration of five years, from 01 January 2011 to 31 December 2015;
• Partnerships with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Akimat of East Kazakhstan Oblast and the Semey City Administration.
The Kazakhstan Joint Programme 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 overall goal of the Joint Programme is to improve the quality of life of the population, and advance progress towards Millennium Development Goals achievement in EKO, in particular in the districts severely hit by nuclear tests at the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. The programme envisages the following cooperation areas:
• Increase efficiency of planning and state resources usage in socio-economic programmes at the local level for more efficient protection of vulnerable population;
• Capacity development of the population to scale up their wellbeing and to further develop local governance;
• Enhancing access to quality social and economic services for vulnerable groups of population, including woman and children;
• Provide population with the quality information on wellbeing, health and other related issues;
• Promote coordination of activities among national actors and international donors.
This joint programme presented by UNDP, UNICEF, UNV and UNFPA takes into account the situation analysis of the population wellbeing and development of the acutely affected East Kazakhstan oblast (EKO), evaluation of the previous programmes, and recommendations on improving the cooperation. This programme relies on the priorities of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the Republic of Kazakhstan 2010-2015, as well as on priorities laid down in the Strategic Development Plan of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2020 and other national programme documents.
Governance
The Kazakhstan Joint Programme is implemented jointly by the The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) using a pass-through funding modality. The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme.
Programme Board
The main objective of the Programme Board is to assess the progress of the joint programme, to compare it against the results and products planned in order to give a strategic direction for further implementation of the programme.
Programme Coordination Unit
To ensure effective implementation and coordination, a Programme Coordination Unit would be established within the EKO Oblast Akimat. Every UN Agency participating in the programme will have its respective staff in the unit reporting directly to the respective UN Agency. The Programme Coordination Unit would include a Programme Coordinator responsible for coordination of the Joint Programme implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, UNV and UNFPA. The Programme Coordinator will ensure that four participating UN Agencies are working in a coordinated manner, complementing each other’s activities and contributing to the overall programme goal.
Administrative Agent
The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Kazakhstan Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donors and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organisations.
Decision Making Process
The Programme Board discusses and approves work plans and budgets as well as any substantive or financial issues pertaining to implementation of the Joint Programme. The members assume responsibility for performing joint monitoring of Joint Programme activities. Decisions are made by consensus. Members provide regular feedback on its implementation and propose any necessary corrective actions to resolve problems, ensure accountability, and make recommendations.
