UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT 6.1 The UNCT Comparative Advantage The UNCT should target support to areas where it can make a difference. The UN’s financial contribution is often comparatively modest in relation to other donors. Hence, UNCTs’ can offer a powerful convening role that can provide opportunities for dialogue, bringing diverse actors together, and providing information on international law. UNCTs can also encourage the government, NHRIs and civil society to see human rights not only in a legal context but also in an ethical and policy context. Influencing policy discussions and enhancing government capacity are key areas where the UNCT adds value. In some country contexts, the UNCT has been able to play a central role in promoting the reform agenda. In particular, education is a sector or theme where the UNCT has been able to play a coordinating role. In several countries, the UNCT was able to play a leading role in strengthening sector strategies through analytic work, technical assistance and close partnership with the relevant government agencies. Many governments are appreciative of the UNCT role especially in relation to sector working groups. In conflict and post-conflict scenarios, the UNCT, as an impartial actor, also has a comparative advantage in using conflict analysis, with national governments and civil society; to address prevention concerns jointly and to ensure that programmes are designed and implemented with a view to conflict prevention. 6.2 UNCTs and the Country Programming Cycle The Guidelines set timelines for country programming as well as a road map for developing a UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).1 These two processes are presented below, in Figures 1 and 2 (page 93), respectively. The UNDAF is based on a country assessment and sets the parameters within which Country Plans (CPs) and individual project documents will operate, usually over a five-year cycle. The entire process is based on the following principles and objectives: 11 UN agencies achieve synergies through cooperation and coordination; 11 UN agencies and their engagement should reflect the ‘comparative advantages’ that UN agencies bring to development; 11 Development should target strategic needs, preferably as identified by the country, as well as Millennium Development Goals and other internationallyagreed goals; and 11 Development initiatives should be rights-based. This chapter describes briefly each phase of the UN development assistance process and then offers advice to UNCTs as to what considerations should apply at each phase insofar as support for NHRIs is concerned. Annex 1: Situating NHRIs in the UN Country Planning Process FIGURE 1: TIMELINE FOR COUNTRY PROGRAMMING NATIONAL PLANNING PROCESS* NAT. DEV. PLAN.* NEW CYCLE CURRENT CYLE JAN-APR YEAR 4 SEP YEAR 4 DEC YEAR 4 JAN-FEB YEAR 5 FEB-MAR YEAR 5 OCT-NOV YEAR 5 DEC YEAR 5 JAN YEAR 1 YEARS 1 THRU 5 Plan of Country analysis UNDAF completed Joint Annual Review Executive Committee Agencies (ExCom) Engagement reviewed and - Results Strategy Country Country CPAP Signed CPAP supplemented - Matrix Meeting UNDAF informed by Programme Programme Implemented - M&E Plan JSM 1 Evaluation result of UNDAF Documents Action Plans Annual (year 4) evaluation: to Executive (draft) JSM2 Work Plan - map national Boards (all agencies) planning process - map existing Specialized Agencies and Non-Resident Agencies (SAs and NRAs) Programme or Project Documents of SAs analytical work and NRAs can follow different cycles and may be developed at any point in the 5 year cycle of the UNDAF - choose one of 3 analysis options Joint Programmes identified, developed and implemented - assess UN comparative The UN’s analytical support strengthens country analysis and the national development framework. The UNDAF shows the collective advantage response of the UNCT to the national development framework, and demonstrates its comparative advantages *Note: suggested timeline of year 4 should be used flexibly by UNCT. At pages xii and xiii of the Guidelines. 1 106