Supporting United Nations operational system reform through the implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR)

Project completed

In order to enable the United Nations to address today’s development challenges, various reforms steps have to be conducted with a view to improve coherence, efficiency and effectiveness and thus maximize the development impact of United Nations’ development assistance. With this contribution, Switzerland supports the implementation of the main normative instrument for reforming the UN development system, the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR).

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Other

Sector not specified
01.12.2013 - 31.12.2018
CHF 4'500'000
Background

The UN development system (UNDS) comprises thirty-seven funds, programmes and specialized Agencies. Further reform steps are needed in order to adapt the work and functioning of the UN development system to the changing development landscape and the challenges the world is facing today. Strengthening UN coordination, through Delivering as One, shall reduce the fragmentation of the UN operational activities and thus increase the impact for the people on the ground. The main normative instrument for reforming the UN development system is the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR). Its full implementation shall contribute to allow the UN operational system to operate in a more coherent, effective and efficient manner to yield better development results.

Objectives

Switzerland wants to foster development impact of UN development assistance through improved coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of the UN development system. This shall be achieved as a result of the full and timely implementation of the mandates contained in the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR).

Target groups

The main partners are the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN inter-agency bodies such as the UN Development Operations Coordination Office (UN DOCO) (inter alia through the United Nations Country Coordination Fund UNCCF) and the Chief Executive Board CEB with one of its three pillars, namely the UN Development Group (UNDG). The proposed support eventually benefits the United Nations development system (UNDS) as a whole, in particular SDC’s priority Funds and Programmes UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF, and thus the recipient (countries and individuals) of support from the UNDS.

Medium-term outcomes

Maximized development impact of UN development assistance through improved coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of the UN development system as a result of the full and timely implementation of the mandates contained in the QCPR, in particular through:

  • Delivering as One approach further developed and applied
  • Strengthened Resident Coordinator System
  • Business practices of UN agencies are further harmonized
  • Funds and Programmes have implemented QCPR mandates and have reported on the results
  • Solid information on the implementation of the QCPR to member states delivered
  • Strengthened Swiss influence on the UN system
Results

Results from previous phases:  

The Swiss support to United Nations Country Coordination Fund UNCCF has contributed in the previous phases:

  • to the development of high quality United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs)
  • to the increasing impact of country level programming
  • to improved country-level operational efficiency in business operations and joint funding
  • to strengthen the management and accountability system of the UN Development and Resident Coordinator System
  • to support Delivering as One countries, countries in transition as well as to the effective deployment of knowledge and know-how.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Department on Economic and Social Affairs
  • UNDGO
  • United Nations Development Programme
  • Chief Executive Board (CEB)


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   4'500'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   4'300'000
Project phases Phase 7 01.12.2019 - 31.12.2021   (Current phase) Phase 6 01.11.2017 - 31.12.2021   (Current phase)

Phase 5 01.12.2013 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)