Technical Resource Mapping

1. (ExCom Agencies) First Arab/MENA Region RDT/UNCT Meeting 22-24 November 2007, Cairo, Egypt Technical Resource Mapping

2. Background • TCPR 59/250, paragraph 36: funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the UN system examine ways to further simplify their rules and procedures including alignment of the regional technical support structures and regional bureau at HQs level, including regional coverage and to take further harmonization measures • RDT meeting of 10 January 2007 called for the need to map our current expertise presence on the ground and assess degrees of complementarities, synergies, overlaps and gaps • Mapping developed through a consultative process involving all ExCom agencies (UNDP, WFP, UNFPA, UNICEF) • Main aim is to present a first basis for assessing key strengths and gaps and plan further coherent action : seek ideas for developing and using a regional data base of expertise in the region

3. Background… • Basis for Knowledge and understanding of technical resources and strengths critical for delivering as one, effectively and efficiently • Limited to ExCom agency resources with plans to include specialized agencies and others in the next phase • Limited to the regional technical resources (technical advisors and professionals only) based in Beirut (UNDP), Amman (UNDP,UNFPA, UNICEF), Cairo (UNDP,WFP) • Limited to number and areas of experts in regional offices with plan to look at the quality and existing regional technical network, universities, research centers, independent company of consultants in the region • Preliminary appreciation needing further inputs and relevant tools for adjustment, finalization, regular update and better use

4. Strong technical team on poverty especially UNDP and WFP on hunger UNFPA has capacity in population policy and development data collection UNICEF has capacity in policy & advocacy (child poverty/deprivation) and data Need to consider the capacity of FAO, ILO, as well MDG 1Poverty and Hunger

5. UNICEF and UNDP have strong capacity and to some extent WFP and UNFPA as well Need to consider UNESCO capacity as well in policy development MDG 2Education

6. Cross-cutting area covered by all 4 agencies with specialized staff in UNDP Need to assess to what extent the technical staff are knowledgeable about gender issues and apply them in providing technical support Need to consider UNIFEM capacity as well Possible theme for inter-agency technical cluster MDG 3Gender

7. UNICEF and UNFPA have capacity but seems limited given the enormous demand in the LDCs and emergencies Cross-cutting area for WFP Need to consider WHO capacity Women’s Health possible theme for inter-agency cluster MDG 4 & 5Child and Maternal Mortality

8. UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF have dedicated staff WFP treats it as cross-sectoral Need to consider UNAIDS and WHO capacity A more systematic approach would be for each agency to consider it cross-sectoral area and provide support accordingly Possible theme for inter-agency cluster MDG 6HIV/AIDS

9. UNDP capacity strong UNICEF has limited capacity at the regional level and focuses mainly on emergency countries (WES) and UNFPA on population policy Need to consider WHO, FAO and UNEP capacity MDG 7Environment

10. Cross-cutting area with critical role for agency heads (RDs/DRDs) and all senior officers UNICEF recruiting a regional advisor on partnership MDG 8Global Development Partnership

11. UNDP strong on governance All agencies have capacity and there is possible complementarity. Challenge is to utilise these as a team As Human Rights issues are considered cross-cutting, there may be a need for improving common orientation and action-planning through CCA/UNDAF processes Need to assess to what extent the technical staff is knowledgeable about HR issues and HRBAP/D and apply them in providing technical support Several possible themes (Human Rights, Monitoring and Evaluation) for inter-agency cluster MD/ Governance / Human Rights/Protection

12. UNICEF and WFP have strongest capacity and some complementarity which could be explored further Possible theme for inter-agency cluster Need to consider the capacity of specialized agencies Humanitarian & Recovery

13. Summary (dedicated staff)

14. Some Issues and Conclusions for Discussion • Current technical resources offer a balance of “process” and “content” • Need to map the specialized agency capacities, the existing other national (universities, research centers…..etc) and international expertise in the region and draw synergies and complementarities • Need to conceive tools for assessing the quality of UN expertise and ways of providing technical assistance. • Need to update status at regular basis

15. Some Issues and Conclusions for Discussion • Need to have a consensus on principles of engagement • - Collaboration based on thematic complementarities • - Technical support (cluster approach)? to be aligned with agreed priorities for the region • - Support is demand driven and action oriented

16. Added value • Programme coherence: • Planning and oversight of technical cluster support to UNCTs (e.g. gender, human rights, HIV/AIDS etc) • Horizontal collaboration – not necessary located in same place • Key areas for leadership • - Possible joint missions at regional/sub-regional levels.

17. Knowledge management: • - Data base of available competent human resources in the region • Linkages between regional clusters and headquarters: • - Regular reporting on regional progress to principals at headquarters • - Close and strategic collaboration with UNDGO and existing competent regional entities