 |
| |
| Fast
Facts: |
|
• Project
Document |
| Location: |
Juba |
| Duration: |
2006
-2009 |
| Focus
area: |
Democratic
Governance |
| Donors: |
Norway |
| Total
budget: |
US
$1,361,524 for 2006-2007
US $ 2,749,044 for 2007-2009 (proposed)
|
| Partners: |
Presidency of the Government of
Southern Sudan
|
| Delivery
for 2007:
|
US$
943,000 |
| Contact
person in UNDP: |
Shyam
Bhurtel, Head of Governance Unit
shyam.bhurtel@undp.org
|
|
Background
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) in 2005 marked a critical
juncture for Sudan. It represented an
opportunity for the people of Southern
Sudan, in particular, as the area most
affected by Africa’s longest civil
war, to finally experience peace and
development. Since 1983 there have been
an estimated 2 million deaths attributable
to 22 years of conflict, 4 million internally
displaced people, and more recently
2 million IDPs caused by the situation
in Darfur, and almost 1 million refugees
in neighbouring countries.
In this context, the expectations of
the new Government of Southern Sudan
(GoSS) seem in excess of what can actually
be delivered. The responsibility of
the President to make wise decisions,
to manage competing interests, to negotiate
differences, and to both establish and
deliver key priorities, is enormous.
The task will be impossible without
strong support being given to the President
to carry out these many functions and
to ensure he has good and timely information,
sound analysis, and efficient organization
in his office. Therefore, the GoSS President
requested UNDP to provide technical
assistance to his office. With financial
support from the Norwegian Government,
as a follow up to its commitment to
the peace process, UNDP launched the
Support to the Presidency project to
assist the office of the GoSS President
in developing its functional capacity.
Objectives
The project’s objective is to
strengthen the Office of the President
so that it can adequately carry out
its role of supporting the President
in providing direction for key strategic
priorities in Southern Sudan and in
his task of running his Cabinet, and
through this, support the functioning
of the Government of Southern Sudan,
contributing to democratic development
and sustainable peace.
Outputs
• The capacity of the Office of
the President is enhanced to coordinate,
oversee, and monitor key strategies.
• The human and institutional
capacity of the Office of the President
is enhanced to support the President
in achieving his mandate.
Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• Based on recommendations from
an office management analysis undertaken
during Phase 1, all Directors-General
and Directors in the Ministry of Presidential
Affairs appointed.
• A Steering Committee formed
comprising the Minister of Presidential
Affairs, the Ambassador of the Government
of Norway, and the UNDP Southern Sudan
Head of Office. The establishment of
a technical committee agreed upon and
given the mandate of overseeing the
progress of the project, and reviewing
and providing recommendations on key
issues to be reviewed/approved by the
Steering Committee.
• A total of 19 prefabricated
office units built. This includes office
space for the Office of the Minister
of Presidential Affairs and the Office
of the Undersecretary. 58% of all offices
fully completed and furnished with desks
and chairs and meeting tables as well
as IT and communications equipment (computers,
printers, fax machines, and PA systems).
In addition, a VSAT installed and operational.
• A retreat for the staff of the
Office of the President took place from
2nd–4th of June. The Support to
the Presidency project provided technical
assistance in facilitating the retreat
which culminated in the formulation
of five main goals: (1) implementation
of the CPA; (2) regional and internal
stability; (3) good governance; (4)
emergency preparedness; and (5) peace
dividends. These are the focus of the
3-year strategic plan for the Office
of the President.
• With the technical support of
the Senior Communications Advisor, the
directorate developed a revised Communications
and Public Relations strategy for the
Office of the President for 2007-2008.
• A thorough assessment of the
information and communications technology
needs of the Office of the President
made and comprehensive recommendations
and an implementation plan provided
.
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