Governance and Administration of the Fund

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Overall leadership of the MDG-F is provided by the MDG-F Steering Committee. The Steering Committee sets the strategic direction of the Fund, decides on individual financial allocations, monitors strategic allocations and delivery amongst priorities and countries, and tracks Fund-wide progress. The Steering Committee is made up of a representative of UNDP and the Government of Spain. Additional members may be invited at the discretion of the Steering Committee.

MDG-F Technical Sub Committees provide technical and policy advice to the Steering Committee. A number of Technical Sub-Committees will be constituted, reflecting the thematic areas of focus of the Fund. Technical Sub-Committees will be made up of 10-12 UN and independent experts appointed by the Steering Committee, meeting under a Convenor. The Sub-Committees will advise the Steering Committee on the technical and design merits of applications to the Fund in their area of competence.

The MDG-F Secretariat is the operational coordination unit for the Fund and services the Steering Committee and other Trust Fund mechanisms. The Secretariat sits in the Partnerships Bureau of UNDP headquarters. The Secretariat is delegated by the Steering Committee to ensure policies and strategies decided by the Steering Committee are implemented and adhered to. The Secretariat also coordinates the proposal review process and manages the Fund’s overall monitoring and evaluation strategy. Funding of the Secretariat is provided for directly from Fund resources and from interest income from the Fund account, on the basis of annual work plans approved by the Steering Committee.

Administration of the Fund is entrusted to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) Office of UNDP. The MDTF Office is the Administrative Agent of the Fund. The MDTF Office manages the distribution of resources and oversees the work of UNDP Country offices that may be involved in the provision of Administrative Agent function at the country level. The MDTF Office is responsible for consolidated reporting to the Steering Committee at the country and global level. As Administrative Agent, the MDTF Office shall be responsible for concluding Memoranda of Understanding with Participating UN Organizations. It shall receive, administer and disburse funds to Participating UN Organizations and submit periodic consolidated narrative and financial reports to country-level and Global Steering Committees. The Administrative Agent may undertake additional functions at the request of the country-level steering committee and Participating UN Organizations. The Administrative Agent will charge a one time fee of 1 per cent for fund administration and fiduciary responsibilities which will be provided in advance on the basis of Concept Note budgets approved by the Steering Committee.

The Fund will support UN Resident Coordinators in their strategic leadership of the UN Country Team. The Fund will rely on the Resident Coordinators to exercise leadership and provide ongoing oversight that the programme is on track, that promised results are being delivered, and that participating organizations are meeting their obligations. The Resident Coordinator will exercise his or her authority over the programme by being entrusted with leadership of the overall programme design, ongoing programmatic oversight of the Fund’s activities and by chairing regular Steering Committee meetings (with the Government and where possible Spanish Cooperation present). On receipt of consolidated country level reports, the Resident Coordinator will provide an overall assessment of the programme’s progress and results. He/she will also facilitate ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Fund-supported activities in conformity with UN standards and any guidance provided by the Fund Secretariat or Steering Committee.

Each Participating UN Organization shall assume full programmatic and financial accountability for the funds disbursed to it by the Administrative Agent. Each Participating UN Organization shall establish a separate ledger account for the receipt and administration of the funds disbursed to it by the Administrative Agent. Participating UN Organizations shall be entitled to deduct their indirect costs on contributions received according to their own regulations and rules, taking into account the size and complexity of the particular programme. Any indirect costs will be reflected in the initial Concept Note submitted to the Steering Committee. Indirect costs will not exceed 7 per cent of the project budget.

Download the complete MDG-F Framework Document (.pdf)