“Financial crisis will deepen as the global real economy contracts in the next two years. Malawi is relatively isolated and may continue to moderately grow based on agriculture and mining. However, aid resources may become more scarce and all of us will see 2010 onward budget cuts and reductions. Though the challenges in Malawi will not get less, - We need to work smarter; We need to be cost effective; We need to work together.”
Richard Dictus Resident Coordinator
One Nation, One Vision, One Team
The United Nations is committed to being a key strategic development partner in Malawi. We want to ensure that we provide the best assistance that the Government needs to fight hunger, reduce poverty, provide health facilities and quality education to all, and minimise the impact of climate change.
The UN Reform process or “Delivering as One” will make the United Nations a more relevant and effective partner. The resources, skills and finances that we offer have a greater impact on improving the lives of Malawians, if they are used cost-effectively. Our priorities this year include the strengthening the Government’s leadership and ownership of the UN Reform process and particularly during the Mid Term Review of the UNDAF, Joint Strategy Meeting and One Plan review and the allocation of the One Fund. We will develop joint strategies on Aid Effectiveness, Capacity Development and Resource Mobilisation.
UN Reform in Action 2009
In 2009, the UN Country Team will build on significant past successes and on the review of the first year of implementation of the current UNDAF in 2008. The UNDAF, One Plan, One Fund and Business Plan are putting into action the UN Reform Process and reflect the principles of Delivering as One; joint programming, joint implementation and effective partnerships.
At the annual UN Country Team retreat in March, some changes were agreed. We will more consistently consult the Government to increase their ownership and drive of the reform process. We must consider the global economic situation and ensure we are efficient and effective. The UN will also adapt to the changing aid environment and strive to adapt the Sector Wide Approach and basket funds to development assistance.
The UN is a respected development partner and is recognised for its global expertise and solid Malawi based development solutions. There are areas that development partners and the Government have pointed out that need improvement, for example overlapping mandates, interagency communication and the perception of unequal accountability for performance and management for results. We are well up to the challenge! HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2009 MILESTONES
One Plan After two months of tremendous hard work by the five UNDAF Outcomes led by their respective (co) conveners, the operational plan (One Plan) was concluded and is now being reviewed by the Regional Director Team for Quality Assurance. The distinguishing features of the One Plan are the annualized expected results and budgets, which will enable the UN in Malawi to implement and monitor the UNDAF better. The One Plan has examined programme gaps that were not reflected in the current UNDAF and includes non-resident agencies. The formulation of the One Plan has enjoyed intense commitment and great teamwork from Senior Management and agency staff, resident and non-resident. |
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UN Business Plan 2010/ 2011
The Business Plan II (2010-2011) currently being developed by the UN Country Team takes into account lessons learnt from the implementation of the UNBP I and emerging priorities agreed by the Team. Features of the Business Plan include strategies on Capacity Development, Aid Effectiveness, Resource Mobilisation, Common Services, Joint Communication and Humanitarian Reform. UNDAF MTR and National Ownership We are half way through the implementation of the UNDAF and the required mid-term review will rigorously assess our performance against national priorities. The review will determine the focus and priorities for 2010 -2011. It will, therefore, be a significant opportunity to strengthen government ownership and formalise inclusion of non-resident agencies. One Fund In consultation with the Government counterparts, the first allocation of the Norwegian contribution of 2 million USD to the One Fund has been made recently to four prioritized interventions. As we continue mobilizing funds, the Country Team prioritizes the activities that are not fully funded. The Transformation Group, a forum of development partners who are supportive of and closely engaged in UN reform efforts since the very beginning in Malawi, has been revitalized and expanded and the UN renewed commitments to Deliver as One have been discussed and agreed among the UNCT and with the Transformation Group. Staff Association The role of the Staff Association is critical. The Association promotes better understanding between the management and staff and ensures that the formulation and implementation of polices, guidelines, rules and regulations promote the welfare of the UN staff. The Country Team seeks to regularly engage the Staff Association to improve information sharing and enable the Association to promote better understanding of our goals, so that we deliver on our promises professionally.
Every one’s contribution is valuable to build this unified and strong team. We provide significant funds, expertise and skills. We can learn from each other, improve our skills and knowledge, and help every child, woman and man in Malawi live, grow and advance healthily, educated and secure.
Updates on the activities and other developments will be communicated regularly. We are learning as we make advances and our commitment to Delivering as One for the development of Malawi will ensure we tackle the challenges we encounter as a stronger united team. One Nation... One Team!
Staff on the move
Domenico Scalpelli has served as the Resident Representative and Country Director for WFP Malawi since 6 September 2005. In July, he moves to WFP HQ in Rome, as Deputy Director for Government Donor Relations (fundraising with donors from Europe, Canada, Australia and newly emerging donors).
Barbara Clemens joined WFP Malawi as Head of Finance and Administration in September 2006. She has served as the Chair of OMT since 2008. Barbara has been reassigned to the WFP Zimbabwe Office as Operations Officer and will be moving at the end of July.
Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis is the Senior Economics Advisor, UNDP Malawi. He was a Research Fellow at the UN’s World Institute for Development Economics Research in Helsinki. He has a doctorate in Economics and has published extensively, e.g., on international trade, food security, financial reforms and urbanisation.
Dickson Mchiliko is the new UN HELP Coordinator. Previously, he worked as a consultant in a number of fields including HIV and AIDS, Social Economic Development and Capacity Building. Dickson has also worked as a UN Volunteer.
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UNCG – Malawi
| UN RCO | Susan Muguro or Villa Ezala | FAO | Trevor Chimukho |
| UNAIDS | Christine Kriza | UNDP (Interim) |
Villa Ezala |
| UNFPA | Pilirani Semu-Banda | UNHCR | Kelvin Sentala |
| UNICEF | Victor Chinyama or Kusali Kubwalo | WFP |
Joyce Mkandawire |
| WHO | Hudson Kubwalo | ILO |
Chimwenje Simwaka |
| IFAD | Stephen Khaila | UNESCO |
Margaret Mzumara |
| UN-HABITAT |
John Chome |