Assistance to PA police services – UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) report

Summary

The year 2008 was the second of the current three-year business strategy of the United Nations for Project Services (UNOPS). Progress was made on initiatives such as financial clean-up, improved controls, client confidence-building, and investment in staff. Milestones included an ‘unqualified’ audit for the previous biennium and resulting partnership agreements with the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union, as well as the partial merger with UNDP/Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (IAPSO).

In 2008 UNOPS delivered $1.06 billion through project implementation and spent $61.9 million administering it. The contribution to the operational reserve was $4.9 million, bringing the reserve to $30.06 million. Record business acquisition demonstrated clients’ rising confidence in the ability of UNOPS to contribute effectively to their objectives and outcomes.

The present report provides an overview of how UNOPS contributes to the results of United Nations peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. The leading sectors (using Development Assistance Committee [DAC] definitions) of work performed by UNOPS during the year were: government and civil society; health; conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security; and general environmental protection.

Elements of a decision

The Executive Board may wish to (a) welcome the progress of UNOPS towards greater effectiveness and efficiency in its business practices; (b) take note of wide-ranging UNOPS contributions to the operational results of the United Nations, often in the most challenging of environments; and (c) take note of rising demand for UNOPS services, as demonstrated by its record business acquisition, and objective confirmation of its growing professionalism, as confirmed by positive survey trends and increased client satisfaction.