Coordination and Management Structures
Related resources
The Strategic Planning Group is chaired by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and brings together UNMIL Section Chiefs and UNCT representatives in monthly meetings to discuss key policy and strategic issues. The model was further developed in June 2008 following the finalization of the government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), and is now used to oversee and manage the implementation of the UNDAF.
UNDAF Outcome Groups
The United Nations has formed a coordination mechanism ‘the UNDAF Outcome Group’, which includes participants from all UNCT Agencies and UNMIL sections responsible to deliver within each respective UNDAF Outcome area. The DSRSG/Resident Coordinator has delegated responsibility to the UNDAF Outcome Convener to act on matters related to specific UNDAF Outcomes and at respective Government’s PRS Pillar meetings on issues within the respective thematic areas.
UNDAF Outcome Groups are:
- Peace & Security
- Economic Revitalization
- Good Governance and Rule of Law
- Basic Services
- HIV/AIDS
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
Inter Agency Programming Team – IAPT
While developing the UNDAF for Liberia, the UNCT decided to set up an Inter-Agency Programming Team (IAPT) with direct responsibility for the implementation of the UNDAF using experiences from other countries, in an integrated and harmonized way. It acts as an advisory body on programmatic issues, and simplification and harmonization of UN Country Team activities.
The IAPT comprises the most senior person responsible for coordinating programming activities within each agency and the Office of the Deputy SRSG i.e. Deputy Resident Representatives/senior programme officials as well as representatives from some UNMIL sections (including Humanitarian Coordinator’s Support Office and Civil Affairs).
Operations Management Team – OMT
The efforts of the United Nations in Liberia ‘At Work Together’ needs increased focus on efficient management of UN Common Services and Premises. The OMT focuses on such areas as Common Services processes and management, current UN reforms initiatives, common transport, security and ICT.
UN Communication Group - UNCG
UNCG was launched in Liberia in 2006, and presently brings together representatives of twelve UN Agencies and UNMIL. The UNCG was set up in a bid to bring together communications focal points to identify new and creative ways in which to highlight the delivery of programme results as the UN ‘At Work Together’, emphasizing inter-agency collaboration, promoting MDGs, the interim Poverty reduction strategy and a Liberia on the road to recovery and development. The Group’s main communications outputs include a ‘UN in Liberia’ newsletter, website, and radio programme, Periscope.
Monitoring & Evaluation Group – M&E Group
The M&E Group is the UN system’s own central mechanism for monitoring the implementation of UN programme and project activities in line with UNDAF outcomes. It aims to act as a link between the UN Monitoring Framework under the UNDAF and harmonization with the M&E framework for the PRS, and to assist the Government of Liberia in troubleshooting on M&E issues under the PRS. In line with the UN reform, it functions to avoid duplication of M&E activities among UN partners and relevant organizations and to support those UN entities that do not have specialized M&E staff. It also enables the UN to speak with One UN Voice on M&E issues.
CROSS-CUTTING GROUPS
In addition, the UNDAF identified several cross cutting areas and the United Nations has established cross-cutting thematic groups to provide joint UN policy support and advice to the Outcome Groups, exercising technical leadership and expert UN opinion in the following areas:
- Gender Equality
- Children and Youth - Empowerment and Employment
- Peacebuilding & Conflict Sensitivity
- Food Security & Nutrition
- Environment & Climate Change
- Macroeconomic Taskforce