Any data or information, regardless of its form or medium, which is or has been electronically generated by, transmitted via, received by, processed by, or represented in an ICT resource.
A room or a set of rooms along with wiring closets where working equipment used to deliver ICT systems and infrastructure is sited (e.g. server room, UPS room, LAN closet, etc).
A set of ICT systems, communications cabling, and power supplies along with environmental support like equipment racks or cooling system installed in the ICT facility of the corresponding office or reasonably close to it.
An employee or contractor who is responsible according to the terms of reference for planning, architecting, deploying, maintaining supporting and improving overall ICT infrastructure and its components in the corresponding office.
ICT resource: any tangible or intangible asset capable of generating, transmitting, receiving, processing, or representing data in electronic form, where the asset is owned, licensed, operated, managed, or made available by, or otherwise used by, the United Nations;
Hardware, software and firmware of computers, telecommunications and network equipment or other electronic information handling systems and associated equipment. ICT systems include any equipment or interconnected systems or subsystems of equipment that are used in the acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission or reception of data/information. [ISO/IEC 24762:2008]
The management and delivery of project activities to achieve specified results including the procurement and delivery of UNDP project activity inputs and their use in producing outputs, as set forth in a signed document, the Annual Work Plan, between UNDP and the Implementing Partner.
According to Article 17 of UNDP’s financial regulations, an implementing partner is “the entity to which the Administrator has entrusted the implementation of UNDP assistance specified in a signed document along with the assumption of full responsibility and accountability for the effective use of UNDP resources and the delivery of outputs, as set forth in such document.
The Independent Evaluation Office is a functionally independent unit within UNDP that supports the oversight and accountability functions of the Executive Board and the management of UNDP, UNCDF and UNV. The structural independence of the Office underpins and guarantees its freedom to conduct evaluations and report evaluation results to the Executive Board. The main role of Office is to conduct independent evaluations according to the plans and costed programmes of work approved by the Executive Board.
The costs incurred by the organization in support of programmes or projects that cannot be directly attributed to such specific programmes or projects.
An individual contractor is an individual engaged by the Organization from time to time under a temporary contract to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work, which would be short-term by nature, against the payment of an all-inclusive fee. The work assignment may involve full-time or part-time functions similar to those of staff members, such as the provision of translation, editing, language training, public information, secretarial or clerical and part-time maintenance services or other functions that could be performed by staff. An individual contractor need not work on United Nations premises.
A formal declaration following the decision of the CPO that a Respondent is ineligible for a period of time to (a) be awarded and/or partake in contracts financed, administered or executed by UNDP, (b) conduct new business with UNDP as an agent or representative of other vendors, (c) partake in having discussions with UNDP regarding new contracts. Exceptionally, the ineligibility may be permanent.
The Ineligibility List is a central roster, hosted and maintained confidentially by the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) as a protected electronic document that aggregates information provided by each participating entity, including UNDP. Vendors that are subject to sanctions that affect their eligibility, pursuant to sanctions proceedings, shall be entered into the Ineligibility List for a term starting upon notification of the CPO’s decision and ending once they are deemed to be rehabilitated. The Ineligibility List shall have restricted access, and shall not be published or otherwise distributed.
A Vendor who has been debarred by UNDP, and either (1) is the subject of a current period of debarment; or (2) has not requested to be reinstated as an active Vendor via a request for rehabilitation.
In general, raw data that (1) has been verified to be accurate and timely, (2) is specific and organized for a purpose, (3) is presented within a context that gives it meaning and relevance, and which (4) leads to increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty. The value of information lies solely in its ability to affect a behavior, decision, or outcome. [www.businessdictionary.com]
Information Technology Infrastructure are the components required to operate and manage enterprise IT environments, which includes hardware, software, networking components, an operating system (OS), and data storage, all of which are used to deliver IT services and solutions.
Innovation challenges are defined as prized challenges that Business Units (Country Offices) organize to solicit innovative ideas and solutions to address development challenges which cannot be achieved through traditional solicitation processes.
Innovation challenges solicit ideas and solutions to address development challenges. Innovation challenges: (a) often include stakeholders who are not necessarily affected by the development challenge, but well placed to develop solutions, including private sector actors; (b) typically limit themselves to the generation or testing of ideas, but not their implementation; (c) can be awarded directly by the head of office for grants up to $40,000 without further review. See the policy on innovation challenges. 29. Innovation challenges can be done in projects directly implemented by UNDP or when UNDP provides support services to national implementation (COS services). Low-value grants can be used in parallel to other engagement types with responsible parties or as part of a dedicated grant project.
Inputs are the personnel (including staff, service contract holders, UN Volunteers and consultants), goods, services, partnerships and low-value grants required to produce planned outputs. Inputs are obtained on the basis of the project workplan and the corresponding budget. Where the progress towards planned outputs is not advancing as expected, the project board should review the strategy of the project, including the workplan, budget and inputs.
Covers the estimates as approved by the Executive Board relating to the activities and associated costs in the cost categories of development effectiveness, United Nations Development Coordination, management and special purpose.
Institutional effectiveness projects manage inputs and activities that enable UNDP to contribute to development results. This type of project does not require a project document and can operate on a continuing basis. An annual workplan and budget must be prepared and approved by staff with appropriate delegation of authority
Instructions to Offerors/Proposers – the complete set of documents which provides Offerors/Proposers with all information needed and procedures to be followed in the course of preparing their Offer/Proposal.
Intangible Assets are the non-physical items of value that UNDP owns. The defining characteristics of an Intangible Asset are the lack of physical existence (cannot be touched), and having no set monetary value. They cannot be seen or touched, but are nonetheless important to UNDP’s success. Intangible Assets may be internally generated, such as internally developed software, or acquired from external sources e.g. goodwill (which may not apply to UNDP), or brand name e.g. If UNDP uses a reputable trademark in implementing one of its projects.
The primary inter-agency mechanism for the HACT framework at HQ level is the HACT Advisory Committee. It serves in an advisory capacity only, providing inter-agency policy advice, technical guidance and support to agencies implementing the HACT framework. The committee consists of individuals from finance and programme units from the various agencies.
A temporary suspension of a Vendor’s eligibility to participate in new procurement processes, as further described in paragraph 66 of the Vendor Sanctions Policy to protect UNDP’s interests pending the completion of either an investigation into Proscribed Practices or the VRC process. Interim suspensions are internal measures that are not reported on the UNGM.
Internal audit report means the final report resulting from an audit signed by the Director of the Office of Audit and Investigations and issued to the Administrator and the auditees for their consideration and for the implementation of recommendations. The report is also provided to the UN Board of Auditors.
Internal control is a process, effected by a governing body, management or other personnel of an organization, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the categories of (i) effectiveness and efficiency of operations, (ii) reliability of financial reporting, and (iii) compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Internal Control Framework covers key control factors such as planning, monitoring, communication, policies, procedures, segregation of duties, individual authorities and accountabilities that combined, inter alia: safeguard assets from inappropriate use and loss from fraud and error; help ensure the quality of internal and external reporting, through the maintenance of proper records and information flows; facilitate compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies.
The International Personnel Services Agreement (“IPSA”) is a legal instrument established by the United Nations Development Programme in order to engage the services of individuals to provide a time-limited service to UNDP under a services-based contract. This new modality has two key objectives: On the one hand, it aims to provide UNDP with a comprehensive, flexible and cost-effective contractual framework which responds to project- and programme-based, as well as operational and administrative, requirements. On the other, the IPSA will at the same time provide for attractive, stable and fair conditions of employment which ensure that UNDP is able to attract, select and retain the services of high-quality individuals. Individuals engaged under this instrument have the status of International Personnel Service Agreement Holders, and are specifically engaged in recognition of their skills and expertise, to provide identified deliverables. These individuals are not UNDP staff members, but are considered affiliate personnel and, as such are not governed by or subject to the United Nations’ Staff Regulations and Rules. Nor is this contract modality governed by national legislation in countries where UNDP operates. Given that the services covered by the IPSA may only be provided by natural and not legal persons (e.g., duly formed/registered companies), and by non-incorporated partnerships, the IPSA falls within the overall scope of UNDP Human Resource management framework.
The purpose of the Internship programme is to provide students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds exposure to development issues and a first-hand experience with the day-to-day working environment of UNDP.
Inventory in transit is en-route goods purchased that are in the ownership of UNDP but in the possession of the carrier. The inventory in transit that is owned by UNDP (based on INCOTERMS 2020) must be recorded as inventories. Therefore, it is very important to determine the ownership of inventory items in transit based on respective INCOTERMS 2020.
The process of planning and conducting appropriate lines of inquiry to determine the factual basis of allegations, and, if substantiated, assembling a dossier of evidence to permit a decision at a later stage as to whether formal charges of misconduct should be made against a staff member, or, whether the case should be closed.
is any person who is not the investigation subject but who cooperates with an investigation, for instance by being interviewed or by providing information. Investigation participants may be staff members cooperating pursuant to Staff Regulation 1.2 (r) and Staff Rule 1.2 (c), or non-staff and third persons who provide relevant information.
A member of the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) or a person authorised by OAI to conduct an investigation related to cases of allegations of wrongdoing. An investigator may also be a person authorised directly by the Secretary-General or the Administrator in certain cases, to conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing.
An invitation to bid is used to procure goods or works valued at US $200,000 or more. It does not require prospective bidders to specify the manner of production, technical approaches or management/supervision of required activities. The invitation to bid only requests details on costs to meet precise specifications for goods. The method may also be used in procuring construction works or services that can be quantitatively and qualitatively defined.
ITM COE refers to the ITM Digital Corporate Platforms Application Center of Excellence (CoE), which is the ITM Center tasked with provision of advice to Country Offices and Business Units on applications development.
The language allowance (LA) is a monetary incentive meant to encourage staff members in the learning and use of the various official languages of the United Nations. The LA recognizes, through a cash payment, the proven ability to function, orally and in writing, in more than one official UN language.
In instances of collaborative procurement, or when more than one Agency is involved in a specific procurement action which results in allegations that the vendor has been involved in Proscribed Practices, the relevant Agencies will choose a “Lead Agency” to represent them all in data gathering and analysis, investigation, and the sanctions proceedings against the vendor. The Agencies involved shall decide amongst themselves which is to act as the Lead Agency for the particular case. The Lead Agency will normally be the Agency (a) most directly impacted by the vendor’s activities and the Proscribed Practice(s); and/or (b) with the most resources at its disposal. All involved Agencies will collaborate with the Lead Agency. The Lead Agency will apply its own regulations, rules, policies and procedures to its activities in this regard.
A Lease is “an agreement whereby the lessor (landlord) conveys to the lessee (UNDP) in return for a payment or series of payments the right to use an asset for an agreed period of time”.
Letter of transmittal contains payment instructions transcribed on UNDP letterhead; the letter is signed by two authorized signatories and delivered to the bank for execution.
The UNDP CO and/or the national government have adequate capacity to respond to the crisis but require only a one-time injection of additional support without any need for exceptional temporary measures at regional or corporate levels.
For situations that can be managed by the CO with some additional ad hoc support as needed from HQ. The CO manages all aspects of the response with the regular backstopping support arrangements from HQ.
The capacity of the UNDP CO and/or affected national government is inadequate without a significant scale-up of capacity to respond to the crisis. Any crisis that severely affects UNDP personnel or facilities will automatically be designated at least a Level 2 crisis.
For situations that require large-scale, day-to-day organizational support. The CO manages the response with expanded support from HQ in the form of a CB that directs the response, and the HQ SURGE Management Team that takes responsibility for day-to-day management of the support to the CO and reports to the CB.
The crisis significantly outstrips the capacity of the CO and/or the national government, requiring an exceptional level of corporate support, given the scale, complexity or urgency that may pose a serious reputational risk to the organization.
The difference between current assets and current liabilities. In the specific context of UNDP, this shall normally be taken to mean the sum of working capital and reserves.
The risk that an asset cannot be converted easily and rapidly into cash without a substantial loss of value. A security (i.e. investment) is deemed to be liquid if the spread between bid (buy side) and asked (sell side) prices is narrow and reasonable amounts of purchases and sales can occur at those prices.
Movement of a staff member from one organization to another for a limited period, normally not exceeding one year, during which the staff member will be subject to the administrative supervision of the receiving organization but will continue to be subject to the staff regulations and rules of the releasing organization. Depending on the agreement with the receiving organization, the receiving organization will either reimburse UNDP for all costs related to the loan or UNDP may agree to the loan being non-reimbursable, meaning that all costs related to the assignment are borne by UNDP. Loans for six months or will normally be granted with a specific lien to the position of the staff member. For longer periods approval is normally granted on a general lien basis
A.K.A. Non-standard ad-hoc services. Type of service for which cost recovery is required. Those services specific to a CO and requested by a UN Agency on an ad-hoc basis (not included in the UPL). Because the type and scope of service differ each time, these services cannot be standardized and need to be agreed on individually between the CO and the requesting UN Agency. The cost of these services is determined by the CO based on the True Hourly Cost Methodology. Costed locally based on local hour rates. The service fee for any non-standard services is be negotiated on an ad-hoc basis between each concerned UNDP country Office and the Agency receiving the service.
In addition to the standard services contained within the UPL, UNDP is often requested to provide additional services that are not standardized across different country offices or included in the UPL. As in the past the provision of ad hoc or non-standard services should be agreed upon locally, subject to capacity and pricing considerations in-country prior to the provision of services. To recover the full costs of these services, the UNDP Office can establish a Local Price List (LPL) for recurrent services, to be negotiated and agreed to locally by participating Agencies in advance of the service provision. A separate tool is available to facilitate local price formulation, the negotiation of which is the responsibility of the concerned UNDP office with the requesting agencies/UNCT. The cost drivers, as indicated under UPL above, should be reflected in the LPLs.
Low code is a software development method that allows colleagues to create fully featured applications with minimal coding. With low-code, non-technical users utilize visual point-and-click tools to build, modify and deploy custom software. At the same time, programmers and tech-savvy professionals can extend applications by injecting code. Microsoft PowerApps is an example of such Low Code development platform. Other low code platforms, namely Oracle VBCS, Salesforce APEX, and ServiceNow App Engine, which will be opened up to UNDP Business Units after Quantum implementation.
UNDP defines low-value grants (also known as micro-capital grants) as cash awards - selected via programmatic decisions - to civil society and non-governmental partners intended to generate and solicit development solutions for which no repayment is typically required.