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Non-Reimbursable Loan Agreement: Private Sector

Document Type

Template

Effective Date

Oct 01, 2025

Published in:

Private Sector Non-Reimbursable Loan Policy

This policy applies to non-reimbursable loans of personnel from the commercial private sector (i.e. for-profit entities) only and does not apply to the loan of personnel from governments and civil society organizations (CSOs), for which the Non-Reimbursable Loan Agreements policy applies.

Document Type

Policy

Effective Date

Oct 01, 2025

Planned Review Date

Oct 01, 2028

Published in:

Private Sector Non-Reimbursable Loan

1.0
Step

Initiate discussions of a potential PS NRL with prospective Private Sector Partner(s)
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline

Non-Reimbursable Loan Agreement: Private Sector

Explanatory Notes

The initial discussion normally takes one of the following means:

  1. UNDP may reach out to one or multiple prospective Private Sector Partners to discuss a potential partnership. UNDP may prepare in advance the ToRs, listing the duties and functions and duration of the proposed Assignment to be covered under a PS NRL, or start with general discussion on a partnership scheme, which may lead to a PS NRL. If discussing with multiple prospective Private Sector Partners, the Bureau will competitively analyse the offers/proposals received from the potential Private Sector Partners for their unique collaborative advantage, in order to select the prospective Private Sector Partner which will offer the PS NRL.
  2. UNDP may prepare the ToRs for a PS NRL and issue a call for proposal (CfP) or expression of interest (EoI).
  3. A prospective Private Sector Partner may reach out to UNDP for a potential partnership.

Subsequently, if the ToR is not prepared under the above process described in above, the Bureau prepares it in discussion with a specific prospective Private Sector Partner based on their offer/capacity. 

2.0
Step

Inform BERA’s Partnership Group of the partnership and conduct due diligence
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Throughout the process, the Bureau must undertake appropriate due diligence of the prospective or selected Private Sector Partner(s) in accordance with UNDP’s Policy on Due Diligence and Partnerships with the Private Sector and related procedures.

3.0
Step

Agree on the individual who will be offered to UNDP as the Specialist through the PS NRL
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Once the Private Sector Partner is selected and the ToR is finalized, the Private Sector Partner and the Bureau will agree on the individual who will be offered to UNDP as the Specialist through the PS NRL.  In doing so, the Bureau may decide and agree with the selected Private Sector Partner to select the Specialist based on competition, with the BMS/OHR Business partner assisting with the selection strategy. If applicable, BMS/OHR will select the Specialist in accordance with the selection strategy.

4.0
Step

Let the candidate fill out conflict of interest form and consult Ethics Office if necessary
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline

New Staff Conflict of Interest Declaration Form

Explanatory Notes

The requesting Bureau must ensure that there is no conflict of interest arising from the specific assignment of the individual, not only between UNDP and the individual, but also between UNDP and the Private Sector Partner, based on the ToR.

5.0
Step

Certify that the proposal does not involve financial liability for UNDP
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Certification by the requesting Bureau that the proposal does not directly or indirectly involve additional financial liability for UNDP, except as set forth in the NRLA template.

6.0
Step

If any changes to the PS NRL template are made, secure review and clearance by BMS/OLS, in consultation with the HRBP
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

7.0
Step

Calculate the value of the services offered  on the basis of the salary element of the pro-forma cost for the grade and  obtain account codes from OFRM
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Use proforma costs as indication, based on an equivalent grade for the services offered as defined in the ToR. 

The income from cost recovery is used to fund UNDP’s institutional costs in line with approved budget processes.

Income from cost recovery should be recorded under the following COA: 

Operating Unit :H18
Account:54010
Fund:11820
Dept ID:11006

8.0
Step

Consult Security Office
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Necessary if PS NRL is being considered in a non-family duty station.

9.0
Step

Sign PS NRLA
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Where the Agreement is not signed electronically, ensure that a minimum of two (2) originals are signed. After signature, UNDP should keep and store one original and provide the donor with the other original.

10.0
Step

Assist in obtaining clearances and visas necessary to assignment.
Responsible Party

OHR

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

BMS will assist in obtaining visa clearances in New York, if applicable.

11.0
Step

Raise RPA
Responsible Party

OHR

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Request GSSC to register candidate so that non-staff individuals serving with UNDP can be accounted for.

12.0
Step

Register candidate in Quantum
Responsible Party

Central Bureau,

Regional Bureau

Template/Guideline
Explanatory Notes

Candidate to be registered in Quantum.

Private Sector Non-Reimbursable Loan

Appraise and Approve

Effective Date

Sep 05, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Development Project Procedure (Step 2.1 VERT) has been updated. Please refer to the Guidance Map on Environmental Vertical Fund (GEF and GCF) which has been updated to reflect new links to guidance across the intranet and POPP, with out-of-date templates on the POPP being retired. This new guidance incorporates internal streamlining measures and alignment to recent updates to GEF policies and guidelines.

Formulate Programmes and Projects

Effective Date

Sep 05, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Formulate Development Projects Procedure (Step 1.1 ALT) has been updated with links to templates and guidance. Please refer to the Guidance Map on Environmental Vertical Fund (GEF and GCF) which has been updated to reflect new links to guidance across the intranet and POPP, with out-of-date templates on the POPP being retired. This new guidance incorporates internal streamlining measures and alignment to recent updates to GEF policies and guidelines.

Procurement Authority and Increased Delegated Procurement Authority

Effective Date

Sep 15, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Procurement Authority and Increased Delegated Procurement Authority policy has been revised to incorporate the increased procurement thresholds and delegated procurement authorities, accounting for inflationary impacts since 2016,  increasing limits across multiple levels to enhance purchasing capacity. These policy changes affect various delegation levels and micro-purchasing thresholds, reflecting a systematic adjustment to procurement authority within the organization:

• Standard Delegated Procurement Authority Increase: The delegation limit for Level 1 procurement authority has been raised from $200,000 to $300,000 (Paragraph 2), with a no-UNALL Quantum threshold moving from $150,000 to $200,000 (Paragraph 4).

• Increased Delegated Procurement Levels: Thresholds for Levels 2, 3, and 4 procurement authority have been increased respectively from $300,000 to $400,000 for Level 2 (Paragraph 4), $500,000 to $700,000 for Level 3 (Paragraph 11), and $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 for Level 4 (Paragraph 14).

• Micro-Purchasing Thresholds Expanded: The minimum micro-purchasing threshold has been increased from $5,000 to $7,000, and the maximum from $10,000 to $15,000 (Paragraph 5).

• Ad-Hoc Increased Delegation Authority and Requests for Increased Delegated Procurement Authority (IDPA): Ad-hoc increased delegation authority and requests for IDPA (minimum above level 4) have also been increased from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000, with the maximum amount delegated by the Regional Chief Procurement Officer moving from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 (Paragraph 6).

The Procurement Authority and Increased Delegated Procurement Authority procedure and the Request for Increased Delegation of Procurement Authority (IDPA) template have been also updated to reflect the policy’s revisions.

Procurement Oversight and Procurement Review Committees

Effective Date

Sep 15, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Procurement Oversight and Procurement Review Committees policy has been updated to reflect a systematic increase of standard procurement delegations and related procurement and financial thresholds, accounting for inflationary impacts since 2016, as follows:

• Direct Review Authorities:  The threshold for Direct Review by the Regional Advisory Committee on Procurement (RACP) and by the Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP) Chairpersons has been increased from $500,000 to $700,000 (Paragraphs 47 and 53). Similarly, Direct Review by the Contracts, Assets and Procurement Committee (CAP) Chairperson has been increased from $200,000 to $300,000 to align with standard procurement delegations (Paragraph 53). Similar increases have also been implemented for Direct Contracting, Contract Amendments and Individual Contracts (Paragraph 53).

• Delegated Procurement Authority (DPA): The Standard DPA for Resident Representatives (RRs) and Heads of Business Units (BU) is raised from $200,000 to $300,000 (Paragraph 52).

• Head of BU Procurement Authority Without CAP Review:  The procurement authority for Heads of BU without CAP review is raised from $50,000 to $70,000 (Paragraph 49).

• Committee Reviews: The procurement threshold for Committee Review by RACP (max.) and by ACP (min.) for competitive procurement and amendments is raised from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 (Paragraph 53). Ex-Ante Reviews for RACP and ACP are increased for RACP (min.) from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000, and for ACP (min.) from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000.

• Direct Contracting: Procurement thresholds for direct contracting reviews by CAP, RACP, and ACP Chairpersons are uniformly increased, with minimums and maximums adjusted to reflect higher operational flexibility.

• Asset Disposal and Income Generation:  The minimum threshold for asset disposal reviewed by the CAP Chairperson has been increased from $5,000 to $7,000. Income generation activities reviewed by ACP rise from $10,000 to $15,000.

Procurement Methods

Effective Date

Sep 15, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Procurement Methods Policy has been revised to incorporate the increased procurement thresholds across various contract values and procurement methods, accounting for inflationary impacts since 2018, increasing limits across multiple levels to enhance purchasing capacity. The policy updates reflect increased limits on contract values for micro-purchasing, limited international competition, and other procurement processes, reflecting a systematic adjustment to procurement authority within the organization:

• Increased micro-purchasing limits:  The maximum contract value for micro-purchasing has been raised from $5,000 to $7,000, with some provisions allowing increases from $10,000 to $15,000 (Paragraphs 3 and 18) if approved by the Bureau. This change applies to direct contracting (Paragraphs 73 and 77) and requests for quotations (RFQ) in minimums as well (Paragraph 29). 

• Higher thresholds for competitive procurement:  The limits for limited international competition, invitations to bid (ITB), and requests for proposals (RFP) have been increased from $200,000 to $300,000 across multiple paragraphs (Paragraphs 3, 11, 14, 41, 52, and 53). This includes both minimum and maximum contract values for RFQ and RFP processes. 

• Raised ex-ante review threshold: The minimum contract value for ex-ante review for RACP has been increased from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 (Paragraph 79), indicating a higher threshold before such reviews are mandated. 

The following templates have been updated to reflect the revised procurement thresholds in the policy:

Construction Works

Effective Date

Sep 15, 2025

Summary of Changes

The Construction Works policy has been revised to incorporate the increased procurement thresholds and delegated procurement authorities, accounting for inflationary impacts since 2020, increasing limits across multiple levels to enhance purchasing capacity. These policy changes affect various delegation levels, reflecting a systematic adjustment to procurement authority within the organization:

• Increased standard delegation of authority (DOA) to Resident Representatives (RRs): The standard delegation of authority (DOA) to Resident Representatives (RRs) has been increased from $200,000 to $300,000, as reflected in paragraphs 22 and 23 of the policy.

The Guidance Note: Construction Works Policy and the Request for Approval or Delegation for Project Document that Includes Construction Works template have also been updated to reflect the updated standard DOA.

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