Adjusted Risk Rating is defined as the Overall Risk Assessment derived from the Micro Assessment adjusted for other available information including: results of the Macro Assessment; past experience with the Partner, prior capacity assessments and micro assessments by other agencies.
In the HACT framework, these refer to planned activities used to determine whether funds transferred to implementing partners were used for their intended purpose and in accordance with the annual work plan.
The Cash Transfer Modalities to be adopted shall be based on the Partner’s Adjusted Risk Rating, which is derived from the results of the micro assessment with due consideration to the specific programming context, with exceptions documented.
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), is defined as a non-profit organization, group or institution that operates independently from a government and has humanitarian or development objectives.
Under this modality, UNDP conducts expenditure from requisition through to disbursement with no cash being transferred to the Partner. However, the implementing partner has full programmatic control and so full control over expenditures.
Under this modality, UNDP advances cash funds on a quarterly basis to the Partner for the implementation of agreed upon programme activities. The Partner in turn reports back expenditure. Note that the recording of expenditures, from requisition through to disbursement, occurs in the books of the Partner. UNDP is pre-funding the activities with advances of cash.
This refers to the arrangement where payments are made directly to vendors and other third parties providing goods or services for agreed upon programme activities on behalf of the Partner upon request and following completion of the activities. Under this modality, the Partner is responsible/accountable for the project expenses and carries out the procurement actions, but requests UNDP to make the disbursements. The office provides accounting services and banking services to the Partner.
A common operational (harmonized) framework for transferring cash to government and non‑governmental IPs, irrespective of whether these partners work with one or multiple United Nation agencies. The objective of the HACT framework is to support a closer alignment of development aid with national priorities and to strengthen national capacities for management and accountability, with the ultimate objective of gradually shifting to national systems. It is intended to serve as a simplified set of procedures on requesting, disbursing, providing assurance, and reporting on funds as a way to effectively manage risks, reduce transaction costs and promote sustainable development in a coordinated manner.
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.
The purpose of the micro assessment is to assess a Partner’s financial management capacity (i.e. Accounting, procurement, reporting, internal controls, etc.) to determine the overall risk rating and assurance activities. The risk rating may be adjusted taking into consideration other available information such as the results of the macro assessment and previous experience with the partner to arrive at an Adjusted Risk Rating which is used to determine the appropriate cash transfer modality to a Partner. This assessment applies to both governmental and non-governmental Partners.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is defined as a non-profit organization, group or institution that operates independently from a Government and has humanitarian or development objectives. If a NGO is designated to implement a UNDP project, the NGO must have the legal status to operate in accordance with the laws governing NGOs in the programme country.
Partner Risk Rating is defined as the overall Risk Assessment derived from the Micro Assessment risk rating adjusted for other available information including results of the Macro Assessment, past experience with the Partner including results of assurance activities, prior capacity assessments and micro assessments by other Agencies.
UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules document defines 'property, plant and equipment' as tangible assets held for use in the activities of UNDP or for administrative purposes and expected to be used during more than one financial period. The Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) policy document provides further details of the term 'property, plant and equipment' as a tangible or physically verifiable item that meets ALL the following five criteria: a) Provides future economic or service benefits to UNDP – i.e. the PP&E item is held for use in the implementation of UNDP Programmes or for administrative purposes; b) Is expected to be used during more than one reporting period, which, is 12 months; c) Has a value of US$5,000 (US$5,000 for UNCDF too) or more (New Capitalization Threshold effective as of 01.01.2020); d) Is used and controlled by UNDP; and e) Has a cost that can be reliably determined.
Adopted in 2014, it supersedes the previous framework adopted in 2005. The revised framework represents a shift from assurance for cash transfers derived from project level controls and audits towards a method of assurance derived from risk/system-based assessments and audits. In essence, it reaffirms a shift from a control-based to a risk-based management approach. The revised Framework provides added clarity on the integrated suite of assurance activities (financial audits, internal control audits, special audits, programming visits and spot checks) to be performed based on the results of macro and micro assessments.
Scheduled audit: These refer to systematic and independent examination of data, statements, records, operations and performances of a partner. A scheduled audit is either an internal control audit which is conducted for Partners which are rated “Low” risk and “Medium” risk or a financial audit which should be conducted for all other Partners including non-assessed Partners.
Periodic on-site reviews (spot checks) are performed to assess the accuracy of the financial records for cash transfers to the IP and the status of programme implementation (through a review of financial information), and to determine whether there have been any significant changes to internal controls. The spot check is not an audit hence, the extent of expenditure testing is generally lower than what would be undertaken during an audit. Spot checks should be completed prior to the operational and financial closure of the project to ensure supporting documents are still available for review and any adjustments required in Quantum are made.
The technical support unit for the UNDG which provides the link between UNDG discussions at HQ and the work of the UN development systems at country level.