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Direct Payments

21 February 2024

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect the following changes:Revision to approval requirements for direct payments in non-local currency has been added in paragraph 9 of the policy, where non-local currency payments to international suppliers engaged in line with the Letter of Agreement (LOA), the Responsible Party Agreement (RPA), the Performance Based Payment Agreement (PBPA), or similar contracts or agreements, as well as the project document or the annual work plan will be approved by Head of Office provided the contractual documents specify disbursements in non-lo ...

The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect the following changes:

  • Revision to approval requirements for direct payments in non-local currency has been added in paragraph 9 of the policy, where non-local currency payments to international suppliers engaged in line with the Letter of Agreement (LOA), the Responsible Party Agreement (RPA), the Performance Based Payment Agreement (PBPA), or similar contracts or agreements, as well as the project document or the annual work plan will be approved by Head of Office provided the contractual documents specify disbursements in non-local currency.
  • Seeking UNDP HQ Treasury’s approval before non-local currency disbursement are made has been removed in paragraph 9 of the policy in line with the new changes to paragraph 9.
  • The explanatory notes in step 7 of the procedure have been updated to reflect the changes in the policy.
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Direct Cash Transfers and Reimbursements

21 February 2024

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect the following changes:Revision to approval requirements for non-local currency advances has been added in paragraph 9 of the policy, where payments for specifically identified activities and expenditures expected to be incurred in non-local currency in line with the Letter of Agreement (LOA), the Responsible Party Agreement (RPA), the Performance Based Payment Agreement (PBPA), or similar contracts or agreements, as well as the project document or the annual work plan will be approved by the Head of Office, provided the contractua ...

The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect the following changes:

  • Revision to approval requirements for non-local currency advances has been added in paragraph 9 of the policy, where payments for specifically identified activities and expenditures expected to be incurred in non-local currency in line with the Letter of Agreement (LOA), the Responsible Party Agreement (RPA), the Performance Based Payment Agreement (PBPA), or similar contracts or agreements, as well as the project document or the annual work plan will be approved by the Head of Office, provided the contractual documents specify disbursement in non-local currency. Other non-local currency payments shall only be made, after seeking UNDP HQ Treasury approval.
  • Revision to paragraph 13 of the policy to include the requirement for UNDP HQ Treasury’s approval where the Partner maintains separate bank accounts for the project. If the project needs advances to make payments in local currency and non-local currency with applicable approval in line with the POPP, then two bank accounts matching the approved currencies of advances should be opened.
  • The explanatory notes in steps 8 and 9 of the procedure have been updated to reflect the changes in the policy.
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Direct Payments

28 December 2023

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The changes made are to provide additional clarification on HACT transaction processing in Quantum and references to available reports relevant for management of HACT balances.
Direct Cash Transfers and Reimbursements

28 December 2023

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The changes made are to provide additional clarification on HACT transaction processing in Quantum and references to available reports relevant for management of HACT balances.
Direct Payments

2 June 2023

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect UNDP’s transition to its new cloud-based management platform Quantum in January 2023, replacing its previous ATLAS system.
Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

2 June 2023

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

The summary of key changes which takes immediate effect and their implication on UNDP Offices are:1. Updates to reflect UNDP's transition to its new cloud-based management platform Quantum in January 2023, replacing its previous ATLAS system;2. Guidance provided with regards to migration of HACT Platform from SharePoint to the cloud-based Quantum+ (Salesforce) including new system approval for macro assessment, micro assessment, assurance; activities, engagement of High-Risk Partners and revision of Partner Risk Rating which have been added in para 22, para 27, para 40, para 6(d), and para 7 r ...

The summary of key changes which takes immediate effect and their implication on UNDP Offices are:
1. Updates to reflect UNDP's transition to its new cloud-based management platform Quantum in January 2023, replacing its previous ATLAS system;
2. Guidance provided with regards to migration of HACT Platform from SharePoint to the cloud-based Quantum+ (Salesforce) including new system approval for macro assessment, micro assessment, assurance; activities, engagement of High-Risk Partners and revision of Partner Risk Rating which have been added in para 22, para 27, para 40, para 6(d), and para 7 respectively;
3. Change of terminology reflected in para 7 from Adjusted Risk Rating to Partner Risk Rating to refine description of the term and align with process in the HACT platform.

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Direct Cash Transfers and Reimbursements

13 April 2023

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

​The policy and the procedures have been updated to reflect UNDP’s transition to its new cloud-based management platform Quantum in January 2023, replacing its previous ATLAS system.

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

28 September 2021

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

​The updated HACT POPP is now available. The summary of the key changes and their implication on UNDP Offices are:1- Clarity has been added in para 23 (h) for macro assessment where UNDP is the sole agency that requires the assessment;2- Guidance has been added for micro assessment that expires mid-programme cycle where discretion of the Office is required in the case if the project is expected to end in a short period of time. This is indicated in para 27 (n);3- Standardized templates have been made available to document the significant issues and action plan arising from micro assessment ...

​The updated HACT POPP is now available. The summary of the key changes and their implication on UNDP Offices are:

1- Clarity has been added in para 23 (h) for macro assessment where UNDP is the sole agency that requires the assessment;

2- Guidance has been added for micro assessment that expires mid-programme cycle where discretion of the Office is required in the case if the project is expected to end in a short period of time. This is indicated in para 27 (n);
3- Standardized templates have been made available to document the significant issues and action plan arising from micro assessment and assurance activities. Regional bureaus are required to review the documentation of the significant issues and action plan arising from micro assessment and assurance activities for Partners with expected cash transfers of greater than or equal to $1 million per annum, and in the case of central bureaus and independent units implementing developing project, the review shall be performed by the Head of Office or his/her designate. This is indicated in para 27 (t) and para 40 (l);
4- Additional guidance have been added for downward revision of Partner adjusted risk rating in para 7;
5- A standardized template has been made available to document the High Risk Partner Approval Template in para 6 (f);


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Direct Payments

29 January 2021

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

​The updated Direct Payments policy is now available. The summary of the major changes and their implication on UNDP Offices are as follows:Clarification has been made in para 2 that direct payments must be performed through an approved FACE form, requesting UNDP to make payment directly to the vendor on behalf of the Partner, and the Implementing Agent code must be the Partner’s code;Clarity has been added for non-local currency denominated payments to national implementation projects in para 8 which should be submitted to UNDP HQ Treasury for appropriate approval in accordance with UNDP ...

​The updated Direct Payments policy is now available. The summary of the major changes and their implication on UNDP Offices are as follows:Clarification has been made in para 2 that direct payments must be performed through an approved FACE form, requesting UNDP to make payment directly to the vendor on behalf of the Partner, and the Implementing Agent code must be the Partner’s code;Clarity has been added for non-local currency denominated payments to national implementation projects in para 8 which should be submitted to UNDP HQ Treasury for appropriate approval in accordance with UNDP Financial Regulations and Rule 125.06;Clarification has been added on reviews of FACE form, including the list of red flags in para 12 and 13 that potential signs of fraud or misuse of funds shall be observed, reviewed, investigated and documented. Direct payment should not be processed until the potential red flags are fully investigated and confirmed to be valid;Procedures offices should take to address unsupported payments reflected in assurance reports, including audits and spot checks, has been added in para 14.

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Direct Payments

29 January 2021

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

​The Direct Payments policy and procedures have been further updated as follows: Guidance has been added to Para 2 on the ICE template. ICE template guidance has been added to procedure step 1. Fraud red-flags guidance have been added to procedure step 9.