Malawi

From UN Coherence Country Wiki

Information

The Cluster system was put in place in 2007 to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of the 2008-2011 UNDAF . We used the 2007 bridging period to kick start the process. We are now consolidating the experience in preparation of the implementation of UNDAF in 2008. Attached are generic TORs for the Clusters and Teams and composition of the Cluster on Basic Social Services for which UNICEF is the Convener.

The Clusters had their first joint thematic annual reviews and workplanning sessions and apart from a few hiccups here and there, the process was successful. This is the first time that we sat together as one UN to review our programmes and discuss with national counterparts and partners the priorities for 2008 in line with the national development programme and UNDAF. The outcomes will be individual agency AWPs to be signed by our respective partners and a Cluster workplan. The latter is mainly a consolidation and summary of the individual AWPs with a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities . Attached is the Guidance provided to Cluster Conveners by the UNRC - with support from UNICEF.

I believe the major change I see from the past is the increased accountability to deliver results. Previously, we had various TG plans, mostly developed individually by agencies and then collated as "theme group plans" and there was no systematic reporting on progress to the UNCT. Clusters are now setting priorities together in consultation with partners and also agree on the division of labour from the onset. Cluster Conveners are also required to regularly report to the UNCT. I believe this is making a difference although there is still a lot of room for improvement and the tools we have are not as progressive as we would like them to be.

We (UN) may need to better document some of these experience in 2008.