UNDP's work in the country is based on the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement signed in 1978 with the Government of Sudan. The Ministry of Finance is the national counterpart which approves and signs the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) with UNDP. UNDP programmes are being executed under direct implementation of UNDP and a range of  partners including government ministries, state governments, civil society organizations, NGOs and other UN agencies.

UNDP Sudan's programming is governed by the following major tools: Common Country Analysis, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2018-2021, and the Country Programme Document for Sudan for 2018-2021.