Annual report of the Executive Director*

Summary

The year 2008 was the second of the current three-year business strategy of the United Nations for Project Services (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS). Progress was made on initiatives such as financial clean-up, improved controls, client confidence-building, and investment in staff. Milestones included an ‘unqualified’ audit for the previous biennium and resulting partnership agreements with the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union, as well as the partial merger with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDP/Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (IAPSO).

In 2008 Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS delivered $1.06 billion through project implementation and spent $61.9 million administering it. The contribution to the operational reserve was $4.9 million, bringing the reserve to $30.06 million. Record business acquisition demonstrated clients’ rising confidence in the ability of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS to contribute effectively to their objectives and outcomes.

The present report provides an overview of how Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS contributes to the results of United Nations peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. The leading sectors (using Development Assistance Committee [DAC] definitions) of work performed by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS during the year were: government and civil society; health; conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security; and general environmental protection.

Elements of a decision

The Executive Board may wish to (a) welcome the progress of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS towards greater effectiveness and efficiency in its business practices; (b) take note of wide-ranging Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS contributions to the operational results of the United Nations, often in the most challenging of environments; and (c) take note of rising demand for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS services, as demonstrated by its record business acquisition, and objective confirmation of its growing professionalism, as confirmed by positive survey trends and increased client satisfaction.

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*The compilation of data required to provide the Executive Board with the most current data has delayed submission of the present report.


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II. Operational results framework

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I. Justice, security and public order

75. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS supported the justice and reconciliation efforts of national governments and international entities including DPKO, the European Union, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDP and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµODC. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS contributed the design, construction and rehabilitation of related infrastructure, as well as training and capacity development.
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Box 7. Creating an effective Palestinian police service
The European Union Police Coordination Office for Palestinian Police is assisting with the creation of a transparent, accountable and effective Palestinian police service, with the various parts of its reform plan funded by different European and non-European governments.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS is assisting the Police Coordination Office with strategic planning, project development and management advice, construction management, technical engineering and design advice, international procurement, fund management and cash disbursement services.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS is involved in seven major projects and 27 procurement processes to develop the capacity of the 6,000-strong Palestinian Police Service. These include the construction and refurbishment of the police training facility in Jericho, funded by a consortium of donors, and the construction of the new Jericho Prison, financed by the Government of the Netherlands.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS is erecting three radio communications towers in the West Bank, funded by the Government of Canada and the European Commission, and upgrading the Palestinian Civil Police vehicle fleet, funded by the Governments of the Netherlands, Norway and the European Commission.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS has helped establish a training fund to support more than 50 training courses in areas such as criminal investigation, traffic management, Italian language skills for tourist police, and family protection.
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