Nepal

Implementation Support to Programme Review Results - ISPRR

Background

In view of heightening conflict and shrinking development space in 2005, an independent review of UNDP portfolio of programs was conducted in August 2005. The objectives of the review were to (i) assess the relevance & effectiveness of programmes; (ii) ensure a reasonable balance among community level interventions and core policy interventions; (iii) advise on portfolio consolidation and programme approach and (iv) explore various pragmatic approaches to allow speedy implementation of programme activities.

Implementation Support to Programme Review Results (ISPRR) is a project of UNDP to implement the recommendations by the independent review. As a result, a Programme Office in Nepalgunj (PON) was established in October 2005 to

1. Support projects being implemented under the NEX modality
2. Coordinate and harmonize UNDP’s assistance in the region and
3. Monitor UNDP assisted projects and programs.

Field Office Nepalgunj (FON)

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the government and the Communist Party of Nepal/Maoists (CPN/M) in November 2006 significantly changed the political and developmental landscape in which PON and DPOs were established especially with regards to direct implementation of community works. UNDP again reviewed the scope and mandate of Programme Office Nepalgunj(PON) and District Programme Office(DPO) in light of the changed political development and as a result decided that direct implementation of program activities by way of “support to NEX” was no longer necessary. The mandate and scope of work of PON and DPOs were amended with the change in focus and name of the office changed to Field Office Nepalgunj (FON) and Sub-Offices (SOs) commensurate with the changed roles of these institutions. With effect from January 2007, the new mandate and scope of work UNDP Field Office Nepalgunj are as follows:

1. Coordinate UNDP programmes in M&FW : FON/SOs play a role in facilitating joint planning exercises at the region among UNDP projects for the purpose of harmonized work plans in order to bring synergic effects.
   
   
2. Monitor & evaluate the effectiveness of UNDP assistance in M&FW: Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of UNDP assistance in M&FW regions is the key area of work for the FON and SOs as an extended arm of UNDP CO. Whilst the respective project management can undertake project level monitoring, FON can engage in monitoring from a much broader purview such as effectiveness, relevance etc.
   
   
3. Assist programme formulation for UNDP interventions : FON/SOs play an important role in assisting UNDP CO in the assessment of development needs of the region and priority areas for intervention. The offices also engage in mapping the presence of agencies and flow of development assistance in the regions.
   
   
4. Facilitate inter-agency collaboration: The Field Offices and the Sub-Offices play an important role in bringing together development actors with the objective of deriving harmonized collaborations. This spans not only among UN agencies but beyond as well to include INGOs, NGOs and local government.
   
   
5. Provide logistical support to monitoring and other missions from the centre: The FON and DPOs provide UNDP projects in mid and far western region with logistic support during field visit.
   
   
6. When required, support the implementation of the ongoing peace process through programmatic and logistical support including assistance to the cantonment sites: FON supports UNMIN by providing support both logistic and substantive.

Start/Completion Dates:	November 2005 – open ended
ACC Sector:*	Development Issues
Executing Agent:	UNDP
Implementing Agent:	None
UNDP Contribution:	US$ 668,329 (for 2007)
Government Cost-Sharing:	None

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Last Revised: October 2007