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Policy Areas

Macro Assessment

1

Step

Solicit third party service provider for macro assessment.

Responsible Party

Office / UNCT

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

RC is to advocate with government and major development partners for macro assessment.  

See Appendix 1 Appendix 1 UNSDG HACT Framework for TOR of service provider to be engaged. 

2

Step

Conduct desk review research.

Responsible Party

Service Provider

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Key outputs are:

(1) PFM risk assessment and 

(2) SAI capacity assessment

See Annex 1 and Annex 2 of Appendix I in page 50-54 of UNSDG HACT Framework for Macro assessment check list and risk consideration checklist respectively to be used​. 

3

Step

Review of results of macro assessment.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

The final macro assessment must be signed off by the Resident Coordinator on behalf of the UNCT.

See Annex 1 and Annex 2 of Appendix I in page 50-54 of UNSDG HACT F​ramework for Macro assessment check list and risk consideration checklist respectively to be used​​​.

4

Step

Determine impact and implications of assessment on programme design.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Each agency implementing the HACT framework is required to document its understanding of the assessment, recognition of the identified risks and understanding of the effects at country level that are specific to the agency, including programme design. 

See Annex 1 and Annex 2 of Appendix I in page 50-54 of UNSDG HACT Framew​ork for Macro assessment check list and risk consideration checklist respectively to be used​​​.

5

Step

Document decisions and risks identified.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

A summary of the macro assessment should be incorporated into the Common Country Assessment. 

See Annex 1 and Annex 2 of Appendix I in page 50-54 of UNSDG HACT Framework for Macro assessment check list and risk consideration checklist respectively to be used​.

Management of UN Clinic

1

Step
Authorize clinic services and supplies as a distinct activity in the Common Services project in the same manner as other common/shared services. 
Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
Total running costs, itemized by expenditure purpose as listed in paragraph 17, as well as the average yearly percentage of total costs charged to each agency, should be recorded.

Non-Family Service Allowance

1

Step

Staff member is assigned to a non-family duty station.

Responsible Party

BES/JPOSC HR Focal point

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Non-Family Service Allowance is paid automatically   through payroll based on the classification of the duty station. Non-Family Duty Station status’ are published by the Interagency Field Group based on UNDSS recommendation and the status is maintained in Quantum by GSSC.

Formalizing private sector partnerships through MOU

1

Step

Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Responsible Party

Programme/project manager of the unit initiating the partnership

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

An MoU sets a framework for partnerships with no transfer of resources between partners.

Guidance on MOUs.
 

2

Step

If deviates from the standard template (MOU), request for legal clearance

Responsible Party

,

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Bureau of Management Services, Legal Office

3

Step

Sign MOU

Responsible Party

RR for CO, Regional Director for RBx

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • RR – for country level agreements with national entities or national branch of multinational entities. 
     
  • RBx Director for regional agreements with region entities or regional branch of a multinational entity.  
     
  • Administrator, Associate Administrator or Central Bureau Directors for corporate or global partnerships.

4

Step

Upload signed MOUs

Responsible Party

Programme/project manager of the unit initiating the partnership

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

All MoUs should be uploaded in the partnerships Unity Agreements module which is the central UNDP Non-Financial Agreements Repository.

 

Procurement and Inventory Management and Reporting

1

Step

Manage inventory of consumables and equipment.

Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Stock should be used on the basis of a first-in/first-out policy.

All information relating to the physical inventory of non-expendable equipment covered by the UN Clinic should be reported in Atlas under a separate heading called ‘Medical Equipment'.

2

Step

Donate consumable stock if applicable.

Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Medications within the last month before expiry may be donated, after approval of the UN Medical Director, to local health facilities for immediate use.  This donation is subject to UNDP rules and procedures and a record kept for audit purposes.

3

Step

Prepare inventory report for UNCT on a quarterly basis

Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

A detailed inventory of all consumables and non-consumables must be prepared before placing the yearly order.

4

Step

Prepare procurement orders promptly when stock is being reviewed or as needed.

Responsible Party

,

UN Medical Services ( DHMOSH)

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Procurement of medical goods and supplies should be based on the United Nations Clinic Catalogue of Fleischhacker accessible through UNMSD.

Purchasing should be standardized as far as possible and done through bulk orders.  Genuinely unforeseen requirements, including supplies for new UN Clinics and items that cannot be stocked for long periods, can be requested from the vendor with the approval of the UN Medical Director on an ad hoc basis or can be procured locally, subject to UNDP rules and procedures.

5

Step

Clear procurement list.

Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Clearance must be based on the full epidemiological profile of the duty station.

Responsible Party: WHO Representative as Chair of the LIACMC

6

Step

Obtain agreement of UNCT on recommended procurement list.

Responsible Party

Resident Representative

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

7

Step

Approve procurement list.

Responsible Party

Resident Representative

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

8

Step

Procure medical goods and supplies for UN Clinics against the Common Services project.

Responsible Party

CO

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Medical goods and supplies should be procured from one or a combination of the following sources:

1.  Reputable and approved local, regional, or international vendors, using use the existing LTA with UNDP;

2.  UNICEF where a local office exists in the same location;

3.  World Health Organization (WHO).

9

Step

Ensure funding is available for procurement, operation and  subsequent maintenance of non-medical equipment.

Responsible Party

CO

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

10

Step

Procure non-medical equipment as needed.

Responsible Party

CO

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

The UNDP Country Office directly procures non-medical equipment e.g. furniture, refrigerators, fans and any other non-medical items) subject to audit and accountability, rules, and procedures.

11

Step

Make payment for goods and services according to terms and conditions of procurement.

Responsible Party

CO

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Payments must be made with one of the following options:

1.  Bank transfers (most preferred option);

2.  Checks (least desirable option); or

3.  Agency Service Clearing Account via GLJE.

In either case, the following must be carefully observed:

1.  Bank Transfer: The UNDP Country Office must include all the banking details as provided on the invoice.

2.  Agency Service Clearing Account: The description field of the GLJE must refer to the invoice number indicated on the invoice and/or any other reference number.

3.  The GLJE must use the following chart fields: GL Account – 54015; Fund – 12000; and Donor – 00006.

12

Step

Prepare inventory control report(s).

Responsible Party

,

CO

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Cash transfers, disbursement and reporting

1

Step

Finalize Partner Risk Rating.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

See Table 4 for triggers prompting review of Partner Risk Rating arising from spot checks
See Table 5 on triggers prompting a change of Partner Risk Rating arising from scheduled audits 

2

Step

Determine the appropriate Cash Transfer Modality.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

See  Table 3 Cash transfer modality for Partner based on adjusted risk rating​.

3

Step

Review FACE form prior to disbursement and reporting.

Responsible Party

Office

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Refer to Direct Cash Transfers and Reimbursements procedure when using the standard FACE forms.

See Appendix VI of UNSDG HACT Framework for template of FACE form and Appendix VII for guidelines for completing FACE form. 

Medical Insurance: UN NY HIP Health Plan

1

Step
Flowchart - Medical Insurance: UN NY HIP Health Plan
Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Flowchart - Medical Insurance: UN NY HIP Health Plan

HR_Insurance Plans_Flowchart UN NY HIP Health Plan

Explanatory Notes

2

Step
Enrollment of staff:

Application/Request for Change Form completed and submitted together with supporting documents in respect of staff member’s participation, including his/her eligible family members, where relevant
Responsible Party

Staff member

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
Staff members who have no insurance coverage under a United Nations plan or through a family member must be strongly urged to obtain medical insurance coverage for themselves and their eligible family members, as the cost of medical care can result in financial hardship for individuals who fall ill and/or injured and have no coverage

If staff member or eligible family members is/are not enrolled within 31 days after an event that gives rise to an entitlement for coverage, an application for coverage may be submitted during the annual enrolment campaign. See UN ST/IC/2014/15

In the case of a staff member married to another staff member, the insurance coverage, whether at the two-person or family level, must be carried by the higher salaried staff member

Education of staff about the provisions under the insurance plan and distribution of materials by the person most familiar with the scheme is absolutely necessary

If an office administers personnel on behalf of another agency, the same rules procedures for UNDP staff must be followed

3

Step
Enrollment of staff:

The completed application for enrollment form is certified and submitted to Insurance and Disbursement Services within 31 days of eligibility for the entitlement
Responsible Party

GSSC/BES

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
The administration of this category of employees is centralized in the Benefits & Entitlements Services Unit in GSSC.

The UN Health and Insurance Unit administers the workflow of enrollment and reporting directly with the insurance carrier on behalf of UNDP

4

Step
Enrollment of staff:

Staff member records in Quantun are validated, contributions are computed, and coverage is activated
Responsible Party

UN Insurance Unit

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

5

Step
Managing eligibility data in Quantum:

Data on enrollment form is verified and validated and any change in coverage is processed into Quantum promptly
Responsible Party

,

UN Health and Life Insurance Unit

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

6

Step
Issue ID card:

Electronic ID cards are available in the staff member’s personal web page. If requested, Identity cards are issued to the staff member and eligible dependent(s)

Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
It is the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that the correct mailing address is submitted. Incomplete or incorrect mailing addresses in Quantum will result in misdirected mail or failure to receive important information.

7

Step
Claims:

Insurance claims are submitted through Online Claiming tool or, in a sealed envelope together with supporting documents, on a claim form directly to the insurance carrier, following the instructions on the claim form
Responsible Party

Staff member

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
Subscribers should note that claims for reimbursement must be submitted to the insurance carrier no later than two years from the date on which the medical expense was incurred. Claims received later than two years after the date on which the expense was incurred will not be eligible for reimbursement.

The administration and management of the health insurance plans for internationally recruited staff governed by the UN Staff Regulations and Staff Rules are administered by the UN Health and Life Insurance Unit. Any questions/queries on the provisions under the plan or any disputes regarding claims must be submitted directly to this unit, located at 304 East 45th Street, 3rd Floor. ; or by email: hlis@un.org

8

Step
Verification and reimbursement of claims:

Insurance carrier reimburses staff member directly
Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
Payment is made to the insured person, but, if the subscriber is no longer alive, payment will be made to his/her beneficiary as per P-2 Form Designation of Beneficiaries

9

Step
Request a review if a claim is denied:

A claim denied in whole or in part must be submitted to the insurance carrier. The insurance carrier will provide the subscriber with a written notice explaining the reason for the denial and the appeal procedure
Responsible Party

Staff member,

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
The request for review must be submitted in writing within 60 days of receipt of the notice. The subscriber should include the reasons for requesting the review and submit the request to the insurance carrier. The insurance carrier will review the claim and ordinarily notify the subscriber of its final decision within 60 days of receipt of the request. If special circumstances require an extension of time, notification will be given to that effect

Modalities of payment and adjustment to all Allowances

1

Step

Payment in currencies other than United States dollars.

Responsible Party

BES/JPOSC HR Focal point, in consultation with the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

The allowances are established in, and are normally paid in, United States dollars. Should the staff member request payment of salary and allowances in another currency, in accordance with prevailing rules on currency and modalities of payment of salaries and allowances, payment shall be made at the United Nations operational rate of exchange prevailing on the date the payment is made. No adjustments shall be made to account for changes in exchange rates once the payment has been made.

2

Step

Adjust or discontinue payment of allowance.

Responsible Party

BES/JPOSC HR Focal point

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Adjustments or discontinuation of payments shall be made when applicable as a result of change of duty station, change of dependency status, change of designation or classification of duty station, promotion, completion of five (or, exceptionally six) continuous years’ at the duty station, as applicable, period on special leave or separation. An adjustment shall also be made if a staff member receives a special post allowance to a higher level which would bring the staff member’s entitlement into another range (this normally would apply for special post allowances at the P-4, D-1 or FS-7 level), thus giving rise to a higher amount of the allowances in accordance with the amounts specified in the tables in the annex.

Repatriation Grant Request

1

Step

Inform BES/JPOSC HR focal point as soon as possible that the staff member has arrived in the duty station and taken up duty.
(where applicable, confirm arrival of eligible family members.)

Responsible Party

Local HRA / SM’s supervisor / other Agency

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Local HR Focal point/Supervisor/Other agency must inform the BES/JPOSC HR Focal point that the staff member and eligible family members have arrived at the duty station together with the entry on duty date and the travel dates.

2

Step

Authorize payment of assignment grant through memo or voucher.

Responsible Party

BES/JPOSC HR Focal point

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

UNDP staff assigned to a CO duty station:

BES sends a payment authorization to UNDP Country Office. UNDP Country office processes and releases payment. The authorization specifies the amount of the assignment grant lump sum whereas the amount of the DSA entitlement is determined by the UNDP CO.

UNDP staff assigned to a HQ duty station:

BES/JPOSC raises a voucher and sends it for approval to the budget owner.

For staff members who are reassigned to a new duty station, BES/JPOSC may authorize the lump sum of the assignment grant up to three months in advance at the request of the staff member. The payment will be based on the exchange rate and post adjustment rate applicable on the date of payment. The payment will not be adjusted if there are any fluctuations in exchange rate/post adjustment following payment.

3

Step

Process payment authorization/Approve voucher.

Responsible Party

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

UNDP country office processes and releases payments through AP voucher. Calculates DSA entitlement using the DSA rate applicable on the day of arrival of the staff member and/or eligible family members. Budget owner approves voucher .

4

Step

Exception to waive the recovery of settling in grant lump sum, when the period of service at the duty station is reduced to less than one year.

Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

The BES HR Specialist servicing the region has the authority to grant an exception to waive the proration of the lump sum assignment grant if there are compelling and/or compassionate reasons.

Home Leave Request

1

Step

Request Home Leave travel

Responsible Party

Staff

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • The HL period will be charged to the annual leave balance less allowable travel time. Except in cases where SM is on SLWOP/SLWFP/ML or other.
  • The HL request should be submitted in advance of travel.
  • Staff members who:

-have access to UNALL and is taking HL in conjunction with AL must apply for HL from the leave module’ and the supervisor receives a request for approval via email;

-do not have access to the leave module within UNALL must continue to request HL manually using the appropriate forms (see Paper Form). 

-Staff members taking HL in conjunction with SLWOP; ML/SLWFP or other must continue to request HL manually using appropriate forms and ensure that SLWOP, ML and SLWFP is granted as per policy frameworks.

2

Step

Request Home Leave travel in conjunction with Reassignment
 

Responsible Party

Staff

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • The First leg of travel considered HL period will be charged to the annual leave balance less allowable travel time.
  • The HL request should be submitted in advance of travel.
  • Second Leg of travel will be considered under Monetized travel.

For calculating the costs of the tickets for a Home Leave travel in conjunction with reassignment, the first leg of the travel will be processed in accordance with Home Leave travel procedures but at 100 percent of the cost of the unrestricted economy fare by the least costly scheduled air carrier and by the most direct route.

The second leg of the travel will be processed in accordance with the procedures for monetization of reassignment travel.

The travel entitlement from the Home Leave destination to the newly assigned duty station is to be based on the travel time from the current duty station, to the new duty station.  When the travel time between the current duty station and the new duty station is less than 9 hours, the entitlement for the travel from the HL city to the new duty station is in economy class without regard to the actual travel time between the two cities.

For purposes of calculating the cost, the "prime travel" is the less costly and unrestricted economy class air fare for travel between the current duty station and the place of reassignment.

The “additional cost for HL” is the fare difference between the “prime travel” and the unrestricted economy class air fare to travel from the current duty station to the place of HL.

3

Step

Approve staff member’s absence from the office

Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • Absence should be approved in accordance with the office’s leave plan
  • After approving the request for HL, the supervisor sends it to the HR focal point via:

-for staff using the leave module in UNALL an automated message will go to the respective HR focal point (HQ based staff, HR focal point is BES in GSSC; CO based staff HR Focal point is HR in Country office); or
-a manual form for staff or scenarios not covered by eServices.

4

Step

Approval by HR focal point after verifying eligibility and calculating credit points accrued

Responsible Party

BES/GSSC

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • The HR Focal point checks staff member and eligible family eligibility for HL Travel.
  • The HR focal point refer to the HL Checklist for review of eligibility
  • The HR Focal point approves the HL request in UNALL or form as applicable and insert/adjust for the allowable Travel time
  • Staff member is notified of the approval of eligibility
  • The staff member must hold international appointment: PA, FTA or TA (only international TA holders who serve at a 12-month HL cycle duty station and who areexceptionally extended beyond the first 364 days may be eligible). He/she should be residing in a country other than his/her UN-recognized nationality or place of Home Leave. Note: If the staff member is a permanent resident in the country of the duty station, he/she is not entitled to HL while serving in the duty station.
  • The staff member must have the required HL points prior to the date of travel (i.e. minimum 24 points for regular HL or at least 12 points for advance HL). Staff members eligible for HL accrue service credit towards it from the date of appointment: 

-in a duty station with a 24-month HL cycle: one point per month (i.e. 24 credit points in two years of service); or
-in duty station with a 12-month HL cycle: two points per month (i.e. 24 credit points in one year of service);
-arrival 1st to 15th of the month: accrual at new duty station's points rate; and
arrival between 16th and end of month: accrual at previous duty station's points rate.
-When an entitlement becomes effective between the 16th and the end of the month, the counting of HL points starts from the following month.

  • There should be six months of service remaining after the staff member returns to his/her duty station from HL travel, or three months if serving in a duty station with a 12-month HL cycle
  • For staff members serving at a duty station with a 24-month HL cycle, at least 12 months should elapse between one HL and the next. For staff members serving at a 12-month duty station, at least six months should elapse.
  • Security clearance is required for all official travel including HL travel through the UNDSS Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system.
  • Advance HL may be authorized when the staff member has accrued 12 points. A negative point balance will be recorded in the HL card. The balance cannot exceed 12 negative points. To become eligible for the next HL, the staff member must overcome the negative points balance and then accrue 24 points, as the granting of advance HL does not bring forward the date of entitlement to subsequent HL.
  • If the staff member defers HL, he/she may accrue a maximum of 48 points. If the staff member does not take HL when he/she reaches 48 points, he/she stops accruing points until he/she exercises the entitlement.
  • The entitlement may be advanced or deferred when compatible with the needs of the Organization or staff member’s concerns. Requests must specify the reasons for seeking advance or deferred entitlement.
  • If the appointment of a staff member is extended, and, as a result, he/she becomes entitled to HL, his/her service credit towards HL will begin to accrue from the date of initial appointment.
  • A staff member in permanent residence status who takes up non-immigrant status in the country of his/her duty station is granted entitlement to HL and accrues service credit for such leave from the date on which non-immigrant status is acquired, provided that eligibility has otherwise been established.
  • When a staff member is transferred or seconded from an international organization participating in the common system, any entitlement to HL is determined as though all his/her previous service had been with UNDP.
    When a staff member is loaned, any HL entitlement is determined by the releasing organization as though the staff member were still serving with that organization at the duty station to which he/she is assigned.

5

Step

Process entitlements/HL Payment

Responsible Party

BES/GSSC

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • Obtain quotation for the requested travel itinerary.
  • Confirm destination of payment with SM.
  • The staff member receives payment in accordance with the Lump Sum determination. Refer to the HL Guidelines for details. The staff member may choose Organization-assisted HL travel when this is the best option to support his/her ability to use the entitlement. The HR Specialist or HR Analyst in GSSC/BES must be notified before proceeding with the Organization-assisted HL travel for advice and guidance.

6

Step

Exercise Home Leave travel

Responsible Party

Staff

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • Ensure to obtain Travel Security/Travel notification in advance of travelling.
  • The absence is charged to the staff member's annual leave balance less the allowable travel time.
  • The absence is recorded elsewhere in absence module either SLWOP, ML, SLWFP or other.
  • The staff member must inform BES/JPOSC if the travel is postponed, cancelled or if one or more of the travellers are not travelling as this will lead to an adjustment of the lump sum.
     

7

Step

Update/adjust absence/allowable travel time in the system

Responsible Party
Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • If HL is requested through UNALL, adjust HL period for allowable travel time if needed.
  • If HL is requested manually:

-enter HL taken;

-enter periods of allowable travel time (if applicable); and

-Deduct 24 points.

  • For travel on both the outward and the return journey on HL or family visit, staff members who opt for the lump sum payment for their HL or family visit travel shall be granted a fixed amount of travel time not chargeable to annual leave determined on the basis of the most direct flight available as follows:

-One day for each journey of less than 10 hours;

-Two days for each journey of 10 hours or longer but less than 16 hours; and

-Three days for each journey of 16 hours or more.

The travel time is approved in accordance with UNDP travel policy and shall include any authorized rest period or stopover made by the staff member to or from the place of HL within the home country.

  • When the staff member opts for the travel lump sum, travel time shall be applied to working days regardless of when the travel actually took place.
  • When travel is arranged by the Organization, no compensation in terms of travel time applies for travel undertaken on a weekend or official holiday.


 

8

Step

Verification/ submission of supporting documents after completion of HL

Responsible Party

Staff

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • The staff member must certify that travel has taken place as authorized and must upload scanned copies of supporting documents within 30 days of returning from HL  in UNALL.
  • Supporting documents may include but not limited to: used airline tickets and boarding passes, in hard copy or electronic form, or national passport containing the dates of arrival and departure from the country to which a particular home leave travel was authorized. If for some reason, such documents are not available, copy of credit card/bank statement together with invoice should be submitted instead. If travelling by car, proof of travel will be any evidence showing that travel took place, such as stamped passports and receipts of payments for road tolls, fuel etc.
  • If the staff member has not certified home leave travel and provided supporting documents within 90 days of return from home leave travel, the lump sum will be recovered.
  • GSSC will conduct spot checks for the compliance on the requirement to certify and to upload proof of travel upon completed HL Travel on a regular basis.
  • Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) and/or UN Board of External Auditors may spot check the compliance as part of their audits as well.
  • A Home Leave payment cannot be issued unless the previous Home Leave has been certified. 
     

9

Step

Verifying HL points balance/HL record card
 

Responsible Party

Staff member

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes
  • Upon Reassignment or relocation from duty station staff member sign off on the Absence record card (if manual card is used) including verification of the accurate HL points balance in Quantum.
  • If HL points balance is inaccurate, the focal point will make necessary adjustment prior to SM departure
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