Why can't I see the Joint Programmes/Initiatives in the suboutput dropdown?

If a sub-output ends after the JP's end date or starts before the JP's start date, the JP will not appear as an option. Remember, sub-outputs should fall within the timeframe of the Joint Programme; otherwise, then clearly you are trying to align a sub-output that does not derive from the Joint Programme, which is not correct.

I have multi-entity suboutputs and the system is not allowing me to link them to JPs.

This is correct. The system will not allow you to link any multi-entity sub-output to any JP, as we want to ensure that all sub-outputs are single entity in the long run. This way, you can showcase the components each UN entity is responsible for within a JP. So, if a JP involves three UN entities, there should be at least three sub-outputs associated with that JP, with each component providing details on the exact interventions from each agency.

UN entities have reported broad suboutputs in some cases (for example: UN entities CPDs outputs reported as suboutputs), so we cannot link them to JPs because the resources from those suboutputs are not only related to the JPs but those suboutputs also include other programmatic interventions. For example, a single suboutput can include 6 different projects/programmes and one of those is a Joint Programme.

We advise you to create sub-outputs specifically for each JP. We understand that if you have five Joint Programmes, this will increase the number of sub-outputs. However, this approach will allow you to better showcase those JPs in the Data Portal in the future and run analytics, as you will be able to easily identify each JP’s specific geolocation, implementation partners, contributing partners, SDGs, markers, funding, and more.

Where can I find the video on the Joint Programmes/Initiatives?

You can find it here - UN INFO Capturing Joint Programmes and Joint Initiatives. This folder is in the DCO Knowledge Portal (https://unitednations.sharepoint.com/sites/DCO-WG-UNSDG_CF), so anyone who already has access to it should be able to see it.

Some JP have a lifespan of before the current CF but running into the current CF, if we enter the total budget will this not have implications on the current CF resources which include for example 2020 and 2021 budgets? How do we handle this?

No worries about this. The JP's total budget is entered only once, which is why we are pulling information on sub-outputs only regarding the expenditure in the last year for sub-outputs linked to those JPs. For example, if you have a JP that started in 2020 and ends in 2025, we understand that the total budget is implemented across two different plans (your old UNDAF, and the current Cooperation Framework for 2022-2026). The total budget you report for the JP is not used to report the total budget for the Cooperation Framework for a specific year. For that, we use the sub-output information.

This means that, in the future, you will have sub-outputs from different Cooperation Frameworks linked to the same JP. Of course, the sub-outputs under the same JP will be associated with different outputs and outcomes from different CFs, and this is completely expected.

On the term “Not part of a Joint program or Joint Initiative”. What do we mean? Does it means that sub-output is not part of a joint program or initiative?

Yes correct. It is expected that most sub-outputs to be marked as "Not part of a program", unless they belong to a joint program or initiative. By default, any sub-output you create will be marked as that, unless you specify the JP or JI they belong to.

When it comes to linking with sub-outputs, do we need to link all sub-outputs or we just link only those sub-outputs that are joint programme or joint initiatives?

You are only expected to link those sub-outputs that actually belong to a Joint Programme or Joint Initiative. Please be sure to watch the recordings if you were not in the meetings and also the definitions included in the ppt. We do not expect that many Joint Programmes and Joint Initiatives. So, it should not take you that long to update the information. It is expected that must of your suboutputs to be marked as "Not part of a program".

Is the date matching restriction also for joint initiatives? I was unable to link the sub-output to joint initiative as well.

es, you cannot align sub-outputs beyond the timeframe of the Joint Programme and Joint Initiative. Sub-outputs aligned to a JP or JI must fall within the timeframe. Otherwise, it does not make sense to align them in the first place, as it would be clear that you are trying to align interventions that are actually outside of the JP or JI.

Could you please advise whether the Joint programme like EU-UN Spotlight Programme which has started in 2020 during UNDAF (2016-2022) and finished in 2023 during CF should be still captured in UNINFO as a Joint Programme. Considering 2023 Spotlight budget has been already reflected in UN Agencies sub-outputs in 2023 I have already included Spotlight as a Joint Programme however due to difference in the period of implementation I cannot link any related sub-outputs. Please advise.

Remember to prioritize the active Joint Programmes for now. It is good that you want to report previous ones, since we are planning to add visuals on UN INFO Data Portal on JPs next year, and you would like to show case that one that finished in 2023 (where your CF started). But please prioritize the active JP, since these will be the ones pulled by IMS when it comes to reporting this year.

You can always report the Joint Programme end date as 2023 and include under that JP the suboutputs associated with that JP. Of course, you will not have all the suboutputs from previous years associated for that JP. But remember that what we pull from suboutputs are the agencies, SDGs and expenditure. In this case, since this JP finished in 2023 it will not be pulled in IMS for this year, since we are interested in last year's expenditure (which by then it will be 2024).

What if the Spotlight Fund recipient UN Agency has mobilized additional resources and now continues implementation of interventions on the same sub-output. In this case the implementation will be until 2024 and thus I will not be able to link this sub-output with the Spotlight programme. Does it mean that in this case I have to split again single output into small sub-outputs increasing the number of sub-outputs with the same formulation?

You have agencies' CPD outputs as suboutputs in UN INFO, which has already given you trouble when it comes to reporting Gender Marker for example.

Yes, you will have to split the suboutput, because if not it will look like that Joint Programme is still under implementation, when in reality it is not the case. The scope of your current suboutputs is too broad that it makes it hard for you to identify the scope of the suboutput. Your current suboutput has interventions that are directly related to the Joint Programme and also other interventions outside of the scope of the Joint Programme. This is why we have designed this new feature this way, to properly capture the specific interventions under the Joint Programmes.

One of our Joint programmes is under final consideration by SDG Fund management and soon will be approved and thus we cannot formulate any sub-outputs for this JP "Transforming Food Systems for Better Nutrition in Tajikistan" by end of August 2024. Shall I delete it now? But it can be approved perhaps by end of August as its implementation is expected in September 2024

I would suggest keeping it, since the IMS period is until November, you will probably have the information by that time. Estefania will run an analysis by the end of August or beginning of September on the number of JPs reported and we want to capture as many active Joint Programms as possible. Do you know the planned start date for that Joint Programme? I assume that JP will start their implementation until next year, so even if it is approved this year, if the starts date is 2025, it will not be pulled on IMS this year as an active JP.

For Sub-outputs were UN agencies coming together to share cost for support national reporting such as the UPR, CRC convention, can we tag these as Joint initiative?

Yes, for support where entities are collaborating on support to national reporting processes, you can mention these as joint initiatives.

What is the policy/programming team advice on UNAIDS?

Regarding the question on UNAIDS. Here is the policy/programming team advice on UNAIDS. Whilst acknowledging that UNAIDS is a Joint Programme, UNAIDS is also a signatory to the Cooperation Framework, full member of the UNCT (and a UNSDG member). So for the purposes of consistency in UNINFO – and ease of analytics - UNAIDS – already included as UNCT member - should not be reflected as a Joint Programme implemented at country level. Instead, UNAIDS is encouraged to contribute to the JWP by providing details on the sub-outputs which contribute towards achieving the Cooperation Framework results. If there are initiatives under the joint HIV/AIDS plan at the country level, we suggest that they be captured in UNINFO in one of the following ways:Scenario 1 (Funding Source UNAIDS) – If UNAIDS is the source of funds for an HIV/AIDS initiative being implemented by other UN entities (e.g. UNFPA, UNDP), create a sub-output listing UNAIDS in the sub-output details. In order to showcase the collaboration on this entity-specific sub-output, including UNFPA and UNDP (or applicable entities) as the implementation partners. Scenario 2 (Funding Source UN Entity Other Sources of Funding) - If a UN entity is implementing an initiative under the HIV/AIDS Workplan in the country with its agency funds (core or non-core), create a sub-output listing the UN entity as the Agency in the sub-output details. You can then create a "Joint Initiative" and link those interventions under the same Joint Initiative.

To move a suboutput to a new output, you can simply change the output in the Linked to Output field as shown in the screenshot below. Remember to click on the save button to preserve your changes.

Planning/Builder Section

Adding Sub-outputs

To add Sub-outputs to the UNDAF/UNSDCF plan, you would need to:

• Step 1 – Select the Output from the Outputs dropdown field then click on the Add Sub-output button as shown below.

• Step 2 – Provide the relevant tags, markers and partnership information. Required information for initially saving the sub-output is:

  • Sub-Output name

  • Start and End Date

  • Agency

  • Status

• Step 3 – Click the Save Sub-output button to save all added data.

• Step 4 – Click on the Funding Framework button (shown below) to provide the financial information for the sub-output.

• Step 5 – Click the Save button on the popup, followed by the Save Sub-output button to save your data.

Monitoring/Reporting Section

How To Report Expenditure Data

To report your expenditure data, simply follow the steps below:

1. Go to the suboutput level in the monitoring/reporting section of your plan.
2. Click on the Monitoring funding framework button.
3. Ensure the figures provided in the expenditure by agency field, matches what is provided in the expenditure by agency and contributing partner field.

What are Joint Programmes?

Joint programme (in the guidance) is defined as, and includes the following characteristics:

1. A cooperation strategy.

2. A way to achieve a catalytic development result that depends upon the comparative advantage of two or more participating UN organizations (PUNOs) working together as a team in a highly coordinated and integrated manner.

3. Having a strategic intent and strong programmatic rationale: (a) contribute to one or more CF outcomes, national development priorities and related SDGs and b) focus on one or more policy levers, with the potential to catalyze systemic change.

4. A JP can be at country, regional, or global levels, involving two or more regions or countries.

5. Is guided by a programme cycle (A. Design; B. Implement & adjust; C. Learn, transition and close)with clear accountabilities and responsibilities, and quality standards.

6. Has assigned JP document with a results framework, work plan and budget derived from the related CF joint work plan and funding framework;

7. Uses one of three fund management modalities (FMM): parallel, consolidated, or pass-through.

What are Joint Initiatives?

Joint initiatives are those initiatives where two or more UN entities work together from start to finish, on design, planning, and implementation of an intervention that is agreed as part of the inter-agency workplan, without formal agreement (project document) or inter-agency agreement. For example, when three entities join forces to work on improved adolescents’ mental health, they plan the activities together, but they implement the activities under their ongoing entity-owned projects or programmes.

Common guidance

1. ZERO CODES: Where gender equality or human rights are not applicable or relevant for the activity/sub-output, the key activity/sub-output should be coded 0. This may be used in those rare instances where there is no gender equality or human rights dimensions to the intervention, such as some types of infrastructural activities, anti-pollution activities, etc.

2. CODING WHAT YOU SEE: UN INFO GE and HR Markers are not an evaluation or assessment of the work. The elements described in the guidance must be explicit in the key activity /sub-output as described, they should not be assumed. For the GE Marker, the indicators are also relevant. For example, it cannot be assumed that women or girls will benefit, or that issues of discrimination or inequality, will be addressed. This is sometimes called “coding what you see”. Avoid temptation to over-code.

3. JUSTIFICATION AND VALIDATION: Staff responsible for coding should provide a short justification (max 3 sentences) at the time of coding using the word document template provided and send this to the Country Administrator for compilation. This information will inform the further refinement of the UN INFO platform and related validation processes.

Gender Equality Marker

Gender Equality Marker elements for coding:

Collection/analysis of sex-disaggregated data is carried out. Gender analysis is carried out. Gender analysis informs the formulation of expected results. Gender equality results are accompanied by indicators that will track the proposed change.

You can download the Gender Equality Marker Guidance Note 2024 below.

For your reference, please find below a brief document on good practices for GEM application shared by UNCT Indonesia.

Human Rights Marker

**Human Rights Marker elements for coding

1. Activity is explicitly grounded in the enjoyment or fulfilment of human rights (or lack thereof).

2. The normative framework and/or the outcomes from treaty bodies/UPR or special procedures are used to inform the activity

3. Activity targets patterns of discrimination, inequality or marginalization

4. References to ‘rights holders’ and/or ‘duty bearers’ with respective responsibilities and entitlements

5. Participation and meaningful engagement of various stakeholder including the beneficiary groups/rights holders incorporated into the activity.

6. Issues identified through a thorough human rights analysis, including from a gender perspective, and addressed through capacity development.

Sustaining Peace Marker

Sustaining Peace Marker Detailed Scoring Guide

Sustaining Peace Marker elements for coding:

1. Conflict analysis, or risk analysis or fragility assessment that include conflict is carried out or made available for the activity.

2. Activity is explicitly designed to be conflict sensitive. For instance, a ‘do no harm’ analysis or a Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment is conducted.

3. The activity is grounded in a theory of change that details how conflict drivers or root causes will be addressed by the activity and how this contributes to explicitly formulated sustaining peace outcomes.

Sustaining peace results are accompanied by indicators and a monitoring and evaluation framework to track outcomes and contributions at the impact-level over time. Interested in downloading relevant reports on the markers? See the links below:

1. Funding Per Standard Marker in a Plan Report - https://uninfo.org/data-explorer/downloads

2. Suboutput Report - https://uninfo.org/data-explorer/cooperation-framework/activity-report

Humanitarian Marker in UN INFO

The basic definitions for the Appeal and Emergency are associated with the type of funding streams OCHA receives the following:

• Appeal: Funding for locations OCHA has an active presence and HRP. That would be a total of 30 country offices. Basically this is the funding for existing plans and frameworks for longstanding or medium term humanitarian responses.

• Emergency: OCHA supports IASC Scale-up Responses. Such responses are activated in the most complex and challenging humanitarian emergencies, when the highest level of mobilization is required, across the humanitarian system, to ensure that the right capacities and systems are placed to effectively meet needs. Currently, there are two emergencies under this definition: Afghanistan and Northern Ethiopia.

Introduction

The Annual Funding Framework (AFF) is captured at the lowest level of the plan, you can configure the Funding Framework elements to aggregate them from the lowest to the highest level.

This should not be confused with the multi-year Funding Framework done prior to the launch of a UNSDCF which is a product of the results-based budgeting exercise every UNCT undergoes. That multi-year Funding Framework is available in UN INFO 2.0, however, and you can find guidance on it here.

How To Determine Which Funding Framework Cells Need Data

The Funding Framework is mandatory for all countries who add their JWP. For reference, default details of each JWP AFF element are shown in the table below.

How To Enter Funding Framework Data

The financials for a JWP are linked to the associated Agency or Agencies selected in the Agency Tag, respectively. This allows us to track the specific financial footprint of each UNCT member. In addition, the Contributing Partner is a mandatory Tag because it is linked to the Funding Framework, specifically the Available Resources.

UN INFO 2.0 will not allow financials to be added to the SO until the Agency and Contributing Partner have been tagged.

How To Enter Expenditure Data

To provide expenditure data, simply click on the Report Results button as shown below. Following that, you may then click on a sub-output to provide the funding data.

To report your expenditure data, simply follow the steps below:

1. Go to the suboutput level in the monitoring/reporting section of your plan.
2. Click on the Monitoring funding framework button.
3. Ensure the figures provided in the expenditure by agency field, matches what is provided in the expenditure by agency and contributing partner field.

You may follow the steps in the walkthrough video or the snapshots to get it done.

1. Visit the planning/builder section of your plan.

2. Click on the Suboutput step.

3. Click the Admin Joint Programmes/Joint Initiative button to access the user interface for the Joint Programme/Joint Initiative.

1. Click the Plus (+) button as shown below to add either the Joint programmes and/or Joint initiatives, and save any changes.

1. Proceed to add in the relevant data in the fields provided as shown below and save.

In Results Framework application of UN INFO 2.0, the Joint Workplan (JWP) captures the key data points used by staff to achieve a total 360 view of the programmatic activities of the UNCT. The method to achieve this result is the deployment of a standard list of mandatory Tags and Markers. Each Key Activity or Sub-Output is required to have at least one selection from each of the below items in the list.

We standardize these Tags and Markers across the UN INFO 2.0 as a means to compare our programming within a JWP and amongst all JWPs, globally. UNCTs do have the ability to create custom tags and markers for their workstation.

Mandatory Tags

Mandatory Markers

Other markers are available in UN INFO such the Sustaining Peace Marker and several that are related to humanitarian situations. In addition, the Country Admin may create unique tags and/or markers that are UNCT-specific.

Useful Resources

When you open up a suboutput, at the very top of the pop up window, you will find the options to tag the Joint Porgrammes or Joint Initiatives accordingly.

QCPR stands for Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review. The QCPR is the mechanism through which the General Assembly assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and impact of UN operational activities for development and establishes system-wide policy orientations for the development cooperation and country-level modalities of the UN system in response to the evolving international development and cooperation environment. You may learn more here: https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/content/what-quadrennial-comprehensive-policy-review-qcpr

The links below provides you with all the guidance you need on applying the various markers and tags.