United Nations Development Program
Management Development and Governance Division
Aid Accountability Initiative
WORK PLAN 1996 – 1998
United Nations Development Programme
Management Development & Governance Division
A I D A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y I N I T I A T I V E
BI-ANNUAL REPORT
1 January–June 30, 1996
Submitted by the
AAI Global Secretariat
UNDP/MDGD, 20th Floor, DC-1
One UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017
USA
Clay Wescott Fred Schenkelaars
Tel: (212) 906-6802 Tel: (212) 906-5094
Fax: (212) 906-6471 Fax: (212) 906-6471
E-mail: clay.wescott@undp.org E-mail: fred.schenkelaars@undp.org
July 1996
Homepage Address of the Initiative on the Internet:
http://www.undp.org/undp/bpps/mdgd/projects/aai/index.htm
B I – A N N U A L P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
l January - 30 June, 1996
The team from the Aid Accountability Initiative of UNDP/MDGD is happy to report to you on its performance during the period 1st January –30th June, 1996.
Some History
1995 was primarily used to build the structure of the Initiative (ref: annex 1 of enclosed Seminar Report), align its objectives, and develop a strategic approach. Concrete results were made in the following areas:
The year 1995 closed on a high note when the Danish government established a Trust Fund of DKK 10 million (=US$ 1,840,000), to support the Initiative.
1 JANUARY– 30 JUNE, 1996
In March, the first Global Seminar on Aid Accountability was held in Harare, Zimbabwe and, as can be viewed from the enclosed report, it was a very productive event that merits a repeat.
2. On-Going Projects:
2.1. The following global activity was embarked upon:
A desk-study was commissioned to create an effective strategy and an operational tool with which to combat and prevent corruption. The objective is to create a blueprint of tangible ideas that will serve as a focal point of discussion for a two-day workshop with participants from the World Bank, Transparency International, NGO’s, private sector organizations and academic institutions. The results will be presented in an issues paper.
2.2. Regional Activity:
In Asia, a project is being launched that combines aid accountability, aid management, and aid coordination between Cambodia, India, Laos, and Mongolia.
2.3. Country Activities:
2.3.1. In Tanzania, the AAI is funding the Project Leader of the "Aid Management and Accountability Improvement Proposals for Tanzania" (AMAP) for one year.
2.3.2. In Zambia, the Initiative has recommended to further the Health Reform Improvement Project by hiring and funding a full-time Project Manager who is linking the district level to the central level. In addition, recommendations were made to improve the revision of the health sector’s procedures manual.
2.3.3. In Zimbabwe, progress was made in the Ministry of Finance’s Commitment & Expenditure Control System (actually, funded by the UNDP with US$ 500,000 but supported and advised by the Initiative).
3. Planned Activities:
The following organizations have recently contacted the Initiative with requests for participation in global and regional projects:
3.1. INTOSAI, the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions:
A worldwide training programme for "training of trainers in auditing" and audit practitioners. INTOSAI has requested the UNDP to participate in the amount of US$ 900,000 in this US$ 15 million programme that is a cornerstone program for enhancing accountability in developing countries.
3.2. IFAC, the International Federation of Accountants: This world-wide accounting organization is seeking funds for a project to develop authoritative accounting standards for the public sector. The UNDP has been asked to commit an amount of US$ 440,000 being 40% of the total project costs of US$ 1.1 million.
3.3. International Records Management Trust: This is a global project dedicated to improving the archiving and records management systems in developing countries. Their proposal calls for a UNDP contribution of US$ 200,000 out of a total of US$ 1.1 million.
3.4. Clearing House of Public Sector Financial Management Systems:
This project will cost an estimated US$ 230,000 over the next three years including yearly maintenance and will greatly support developing countries in enhancing their accountability.
These four projects of INTOSAI, IFAC, Records Management, and the Clearing House, are all global programs and reflect the new direction taken by the Initiative after the Global Seminar in March at Harare. The Initiative is also identifying other networks, particularly those at the regional and sub-regional level in developing countries. After receiving relevant requests, UNDP will review these proposals and will provide support to networks at the global, regional and sub-regional levels.
The Initiative has a two-pronged approach: supporting global and regional networks, as well as supporting 10-15 country-anchored projects. With regard to the second prong, fact-finding missions are planned in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia/Pacific, Africa, and Latin-America.
COLLABORATION WITH THE WORLD BANK
The Initiative is successfully pursuing a dynamic association with the World Bank on accountability issues. Given the professional expertise and governing mandates of both the Bank and the UNDP, such a synergetic alliance represents a powerful potential for effecting positive change. The INTOSAI Audit Training Program is an excellent example of such mutual coordination of know-how and experience. Both the World Bank and UNDP are participating in funding this INTOSAI programme, and we shall work together in guiding, advising and steering the programme as it progresses.
THE STAFFING
The activities of the Aid Accountability Initiative are ambitious in terms of money but entirely feasible in terms of capacity. Under the leadership of G. Shabbir Cheema, Director, MDGD/BPPS, the Initiative has assembled a blue-ribbon team that is both superbly qualified and supremely motivated to achieve its objectives.
Shortly, the Global Secretariat will be enhanced by a top-notch program specialist for Africa who is the current Controller and Accountant-General of Ghana, Professor Ato Ghartey. In Zimbabwe, Mr. Kjeld Elkjaer, from the Danish Foreign Ministry (DANIDA), will be coming on-board in September, as part of our professional staff at the regional level. These new positions are funded by the DANIDA Trust Fund.
THE INTERNET
To serve as a resource for all aid-related accountability projects and provide a forum for the exchange of information concerning aid management, an Aid Accountability Initiative Homepage was created on the Internet. The address is:
http://www.undp.org/undp/bpps/mdgd/projects/aai/index.htm
Please visit us!
THE FUTURE
The magnitude of proposals the Initiative is receiving from global and regional networks as well as requests from developing countries, is such that new resources will be needed. The Dutch government (DGIS) has been approached for funds, and it is expected that a formal request will have a positive reception. In addition, DANIDA is expected to continue funding of the Initiative for an amount equal to the DKK 10 million that has been provided in December, 1995. A fundraising campaign is underway to link the Initiative with other development cooperation agencies.
Our mission is to transform accountability, transparency, and good governance into viable realities for developing countries. Building for a better tomorrow, however, requires broader involvement from others committed to development cooperation, today. We invite your participation.
The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." The Aid Accountability Initiative has the necessary components—the right focus, an experienced staff, and a results-oriented operational framework—to achieve its objectives. As a consequence, the last half-year has been a period of dramatic growth. The best, however, is yet to come.
Looking Forward,
Clay Wescott Fred Schenkelaars
Principal Adviser Special Adviser
Enclosures: Mailing List for Bi-Annual Report
Organizational Chart
Work Plan 1996-1998
Budget 1996
Global Seminar Report
Mailing List for Bi-Annual Report:
– UNDP, New York:
BPPS, Mr. Anders Wijkman, Director
DRM, Mr. Kristian Sorensen, Director
– BPPS/MDGD:
Mr. G. Shabbir Cheema, Director
– UNDP Regional Bureaux for Africa, Arab States, Asia/Pacific, Europe and the
Commonwealth of Independent States, and Latin-America/Caribbean.
– UNDP Country Offices in Brussels (EU), Cambodia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Laos,
Malawi, Mongolia, Tanzania, Uganda, Viet Nam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
– UNDDSMS/DPADM:
Mr. Guido Bertucci, Director
– UNIDO, Vienna (Mr. Saburo Takizawa)
– Missions to the UN of Austria, Canada (CIDA), Denmark (DANIDA), Sweden
(SIDA), Finland (FINNIDA), Germany, Italy, Norway (NORAD),
Netherlands (DGIS), and Switzerland (HGZ).
– USAID, Washington, D.C., (Mr. Everette B. Orr)
– European Union, Brussels (Mr. Guy Samzun)
– World Bank (Messrs. Jules Muis, George Russell, and Randolph Andersen)
– Recipient countries: Bangladesh, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania,
Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
– European Court of Auditors, Luxembourg (Messrs. Giorgio Clemente and Harm Rozema)
– DAC/OECD, Paris (Ms. Raundi Halvorson-Quevedo)
– Mr. Abdul Magid Osman, Maputo
– Health Reform Implementation Team, Lusaka (Mr. Jan Olsson c.s.)
– IMAC, Washington (Mr. Rick Werner and Ms. Nancy Duncombe)
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United Nations Development Program Management Development and Governance Division |
Aid Accountability Initiative WORK PLAN 1996 – 1998 |
|
|
Current Activities & Planned Initiatives (in bold) (in italics) |
In Partnership with |
| 1. Global REQUESTS FOR FUNDING RECEIVED | |
| 1.1. INTOSAI Training Program A long-term global/regional audit training programme |
World Bank & INTOSAI |
|
1.2. IFAC Accounting Standards An accounting standards manual for the Public Sector to be developed by local/regional professional organizations, globally coordinated by IFAC |
World Bank & IFAC |
|
1.3. IRMT (Records Management Project) To improve records management in developing countries by harnessing local capacity supported by technical assistance of IRMT |
IRMT |
| 1.4. Combat and Prevention of Corruption Prepare an issues paper on the basis of an anti-corruption workshop |
Transparency International |
| 1.5. Debt Management : Involvement in only those areas that relate to AAI’s mandate (i.e., financial management) |
OECD/DAC |
| 1.6. Clearing House of Public Sector Financial Management Systems | |
| 1.7. Other proposals | |
| |
|
| 2. Regional Initiatives | |
|
2.1. South East Asia Project (Cambodia/India/Laos/Mongolia) A study of country practices to improve aid management, coordination & accountability
|
|
| |
|
| 3. Country Initiatives | |
| 3.1. Tanzania: implementation of proposals in aid management & aid coordination | |
| 3.2. Zambia: implementation of financial management in the health sector | |
| 3.3. Zimbabwe: implementation of expenditure control systems in the Ministry of Finance | |
| 3.4. Malawi: implementation of accounting system | |
| 3.5. Uganda: evaluation of NGO’s and Project Implementation Units | |
| 3.6. Latin America: fact-finding missions in various countries (e.g. Caribbean, Central, and South.) | |
| 3.7. CIS: fact-finding missions in various countries (e.g. Kazakhstan and Georgia) | |
| 3.8. Africa: fact-finding missions in various countries (e.g. Ghana, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Sudan) | |
| 3.9. Asia: fact-finding missions in various countries (e.g. Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia) |
|
United Nations Development Program Management Development and Governance Division |
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__________ AID ACCOUNTABILITY INITIATIVE _______________________________________
Building for a Better Tomorrow, Today.
BUDGET 1996
|
B U D G E T |
F U N D I N G S O U R C E |
|||
|
|
Total 1996 |
Funds Spent Jan-June 1996 |
UNDP Budget |
Bi-lateral Funding |
| Staffing/Support | ||||
|
Programme Specialist |
150,000 |
0 % |
150,000 |
|
|
Regional Programme Specialist |
75,000 |
0 % |
75,000 |
|
|
Programme Assistant |
75,000 |
20 % |
75,000 |
|
|
OPS-overhead |
18,000 |
5 % |
18,000 |
|
|
Clay Wescott: 15% |
25,000 |
50 % |
25,000 |
|
|
Fred Schenkelaars |
180,000 |
50 % |
180,000 |
|
| Framework |
7,700 |
100 % |
7,700 |
|
| Brochure/Newsletter |
22,000 |
0 % |
22,000 |
|
| Global Seminar Harare |
45,000 |
100 % |
45,000 |
|
| Tanzania |
140,000 |
0 % |
60,000 |
80,000 |
| Zambia |
165,000 |
0 % |
60,000 |
105,000 |
| Uganda |
105,000 |
0 % |
105,000 |
|
| Zimbabwe |
500,000 |
0 % |
500,000 |
|
| Regional Project in S.E. Asia |
100,000 |
0 % |
100,000 |
|
| Combat & Prevention of Corruption |
30,000 |
0 % |
30,000 |
|
| INTOSAI-Training Programme |
450,000 |
0 % |
450,000 |
|
| Totals |
2,087,700 |
8 % |
902,000 |
1,185,700 |