1 Professionalising Programme & Project Management Developing programme & project management capacities for UNDP and national counterparts External Briefing November 2005 The CEDAR Project

2 Overview This presentation provides an overview of the rationale, plan and schedule for new initiatives taken to further develop the programme & project management capacities of UNDP and its national counterparts.

3 Background: Professionalisation Organisational strategies Support development effectiveness Achieve organisational effectiveness Deepen partnerships Integrated resource framework As part of UNDP’s corporate objectives to strengthen development effectiveness and achieve organisational effectiveness, the organisation is focusing on professionalising the way it works. UNDP Corporate Objectives

4 Background: Professionalisation 1.Programme & project management 2.Procurement 3.Finance 4.Human Resources the focus of this presentation UNDP is professionalising the way it works through clearer guidance, training, and support in the areas of: The CEDAR (Capacity for Efficient Delivery of Achievable Results) Project has been launched to strengthen and professionalise programme and project management functions The CEDAR Project

5 Background: Professionalisation 1.Updated Policy Content: policies are being updated and uploaded as Prescriptive Content on the UNDP Intranet (The UNDP User Guide)The UNDP User Guide 2.Training & Certification: industry standard and UNDP-specific training courses and certification examinations are being prepared 3.Implementation Support: Regional Advisers and support consultants are being placed and will be trained to provide support This professionalisation is to be achieved through: Programme & Project Management Procurement Finance Human Resources

6 UNDP National Counterparts Background: Professionalisation With this professionalisation of UNDP comes the greater opportunity of transferring knowledge and developing the capacities of national counterparts. Programme & Project Management Procurement Finance Human Resources Programme & Project Management Procurement Finance Human Resources Capacity Development

7 UNDP & Project Management Currently, UNDP is involved in more than 6,000 development projects in over 130 countries around the world Programmes and projects are the structures within which we plan and execute all of our work Nearly all UNDP staff members do their work within the context of programmes and projects Programmes and projects are the fundamental structures within which UNDP provides value to partners and beneficiaries.

8 Areas for improvement Develop clear guidelines and procedures that are consistently applied in all UNDP Country Offices Develop project management methods based on international best practices Provide comprehensive and consistent training programmes Provide ongoing support Manage and monitor projects from a results-based perspective

9 Objective Updated Policy Content Training & Certification Implementation Support Improve the programme and project management accountability, consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP and counterparts For programme & project management, the three areas of focus for professionalisation are aimed at the following key objective:

10 Benefits for UNDP Partners National Coordinating Authority 1.Improved programme focus to contribute more effectively to the achievement of national outcomes 2.Harmonized programming procedures with UN agencies 3.Simplification: few, flexible, simple programming instruments with minimum corporate standards Improve the programme and project management accountability, consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP and counterparts Achievement of this objective results in the following key benefits:

11 Benefits for UNDP Partners Project counterparts 1.Achieve a higher success rate in delivering results against plan (clarity of approach, higher quality, on time, and on budget) 2.“Professionalise” project management skills for implementing partners’ representatives 3.Clearer roles for the management of projects 4.Clearer definition of responsibilities between UNDP and project staff 5.Better communications between Projects and UNDP Country Office Achievement of this objective results in the following key benefits: Improve the programme and project management accountability, consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP and counterparts

12 Benefits for UNDP Partners Donors 1.Implementation of international management standards and best practices (also in use by certain donors) 2.Improved programming mechanisms enabling stronger UNDP focus on partnerships and multiple funding sources 3.Improved delivery of results against plan 4.Demonstrated accountability 5.Access to better reporting on projects information and progress against activities/outputs Achievement of this objective results in the following key benefits: Improve the programme and project management accountability, consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP and counterparts

13 Main Changes at the Project Level Implementation of revised UNDP project management methodology, based on international standards (PRINCE2) More active involvement of stakeholders throughout the project (new Project Organization Structure) Improved results framework supported by system (Atlas) Early warning of problems through Risks Management Improved management control and monitoring tools What are the main changes and improvements at the project level?

14 Main Changes at the project level New UNDP Results Management Guide –Changes in policies and procedures On-line training –PRINCE2 –UNDP Project Management methodology Project structure – results framework –Adjustments required for new and selected existing projects Use of new project management tools What are the implications for the management team of a UNDP Project?

15 Steps to Improvement CO Guidance & Support in Programme & Project Management Individual-Level Certification CO-Level Certification Develop Capacity of Counterparts & Partners Results Management Toolkit PRINCE2 training module & exam (En, Fr, Sp) UNDP training modules & exams (En, Fr, Sp) Objective assessment and certification process for COs Partner capacity development approach & tools Improve UNDP CapacitiesImprove Counterpart Capacities The key steps starting in 2006 for improving programme & project management within UNDP and for counterparts involves training, guidance, and certification.

16 Capability Release Schedule By end 2005, training, guidance toolkits, certification materials, and support materials will be available to develop capacities in the CO and with counterparts. Results Mgmt. Toolkit v1 Jan 06 time level of effort & level of improvement Jan 07 Results Management Toolkit v2 First-level CO improvements Second-level CO improvements Individual-level certification CO-level certification Nov 05 Implementation Support Capacity: Regional Project Advisers, trained UNDP “support consultants”, & professional consultancies support as desired by COs CO certification approach Ability to develop natl & partner capacities Partner capacity development kit minimum required level of competency for all COs UNDP training PRINCE2 training = target milestone to release capability to COs = timeframe of capability use for COs Jun 06

17 What is expected from you? 1.Read the new Results Management section of the UNDP User Guide 2.Identify and discuss suggested improvements in programme and project management practices within your project 3.Provide feedback to UNDP 4.Prepare for the AWP discussion early next year To prepare for this programme & project management capacity development effort, project staff can “kick start” as follows:

18 What shall you expect from us? Communication on learning activities and project management actions required in 2006 Joint discussions on learning plans for projects On-going support and advice on Results Management Guide implementation Regular updates

19 Who is Involved in this Work at the UNDP Country Office? This effort is structured under a UNDP internal management Project (Capacity for Efficient Delivery of Achievable Results). The UNDP [country] CEDAR Project Project Executive Group: –Name (Executive) –Name Project Team: –Name (Project Manager) –Name

20 For more information… Please feel free to contact: the Focal Point at the UNDP Country Office Name - Title