Kenya

Resident Co-ordinator System

The purpose of the Resident Coordinator System (RCS) is to promote and facilitate coordination and the efficient management of United Nations activities thereby enabling optimum United Nations system support for national capacity-building to assist Kenya realise its national goals. The major components of the Resident Coordinator System are:

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)
The Annual Resident Coordinator System Work plan
The Kenya Country Committee (KCC)
The Kenya Resident Coordinator System Secretariat (RCSS)
Theme Groups

The Resident Coordinator (RC) is the Kenya Country Committee team leader for the overall coordination and cooperation efforts of the United Nations system and represents the United Nations system on issues of common concern.

The Resident Coordinator unit organised a retreat between 12-13 January 2006. Ms Inderpal Dhiman the acting head of RC, gives us an overview on what was discussed.

The Kenya Country Committee is comprised of members of UN agencies, members of diplomatic corps and Department for International Development DFID. In this particular meeting, Mr. Bo Goransson Swedish ambassador who is also the chairperson of Harmonization Alignment and Co-ordination team was present. Also Mr. Eddie Rich of DFID and Mr. Heikki Haili, the counselor deputy head of mission-Finland embassy, was present.

"On day 1, the topic for discussion was to do with enhanced co-ordination and its impact. Prof. Michael Chege the economic advisor in ministry of planning, presented a paper to KCC team. This paper addresses the ‘Political scenarios on what we may anticipate and its impact on United Nations and UN development assistance framework (UNDAF)" says Ms. Dhiman.

Eddie Rich and Bo Goransson elaborated on how the United Nations system in Kenya can fit into the already drafted joint assistance strategy. Eddie Rich spoke from an informed background on the success of ‘Drivers of Change’ initiative by DFID. Bo Goransson similarly used the example of ‘Power Analysis’ initiative from his country Sweden to compare with the new Kenya Joint Assistance Strategy.

Also members discussed how the UN would access its comparative advantage to see how to fit into the joint assistance strategy and align UN work into achieving national goals.

The resident representative of Tanzania Mr. John Hendra was present as well to talk about the joint assistance strategy in Tanzania. He also spoke of the shifting Aid environment in Tanzania and their experiences on joint assistance strategy. This helped to pull out a comparative advantage.

On the second day, the topic for discussion was on the UN system’s readiness to implement global task teams to improve HIV/AIDS co-ordination. A Multi-lateral response to establish a joint UN team on HIV/AIDS. Re-structured theme groups to enhance co-ordination. Also a session was held on theme groups review main achievement and current, which led the way forward to set up enhanced efficiency. This is wholly supported by the UN secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan. Click here to read public statement on the issue.

These are the groups aligned directly to Millennium Development Goals:
q Poverty hunger and partnership.
q Education.
q Gender Empowerment.
q Health
q HIV/AIDS
q Sustainability

A major change during the meeting was the removal of technical team. In the past there were Technical and Theme groups. Following the retreat, now there are only theme groups that has created a direct reporting line to Kenya country coordination. Before, technical groups used to report to theme groups.

"So we have enhanced efficiency because we have cut out extra levels of decision makers/bureaucracy by having a direct reporting line” says Inderpal Dhiman.

The second day also saw the Kenya country committees looking at 2006 annual report requirements. The focus was to promote a results-oriented 2006 work plan under the following areas:

Looking at the objectives
1. Over progress on UN Development Assistance Framework outcomes.
2. Improved national efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
3. Improved country program level co-ordination.
4. Support to national plans and strategies.
5. Alignment to national progress.
6. Strengthening to national system.
7. Enhanced support.

According to Ms Dhiman, The way forward is:
"Increased efficiency cost effective co-operation as well as recommitting ourselves to joint alignment work plans to government fiscal year whilst observing the Paris Declaration" .
"This was a timely retreat because it strengthened relations with donor counterparts i.e. national capacities and work toward national priorities.
It was also very conclusive about lessons learnt. The comparative lessons with Tanzania, will help Kenya to set strategic priorities". she adds.

For more information contact Ms Assumpta Muhoho at Tel:245-020-762-4469 assumpta.muhoho@undp.org