Purpose and Role

IA groups were established as an integral part of the CCA/UNDAF support structure. To ensure their relevance and effectiveness, UNCTs clearly defined the purpose and role of each TG.

Thematic groups are UNS consultation mechanisms at the country-level on specific themes relevant for the development of the host country. Most thematic groups focus on cross-cutting themes emerging from international conferences. The structure of theme groups also comprises of working groups and task forces, as described in the following paragraphs. Key to their effective functioning is an increasing involvement of all relevant development partners present in the country, including the Government, Bretton Woods institutions regional banks, civil society and the private sector.

The main purpose of the TGs is to support, facilitate and enable the process of UN reform, aiming at strengthening the skills and expertise of UN agencies so that they can jointly deliver as ONE UN in a more coherent and effective way. The "Delivering as One" agenda is based on the coherence of three unified components: One program, One Leader and One budget. Getting ready for this mandatory reform, that shall be implemented in Serbia in due time-when the UN Head Quarters announce it, offers an advantaged position to UN agencies in Serbia. In fact, in such a way UN organizations would be granted the chance to prepare and operate in a manner adapted to the peculiar situation and to the contextual reality of this country. Thus, theme groups should represent the best way in which to join expertise, skills/expertise of individual UN agencies transforming their missions into unified functions, budgets and presence without losing agency specific identity.

The main objectives of TGs refer to their responsibility towards UNDAF implementation and review. In fact TGs should:

• develop shared and coherent approaches to the achievement and monitoring and evaluation of UNDAF outcomes;
• develop harmonized approaches and messages to address/support ministries in policy-making through unified lobbying, advocacy and support mechanisms;
• support overall coordination efforts of UNCT led by RC/RCO;
• ensure complementarity and coordination of agencies’work in particular areas
• identify and implement joint programs; and
  
• support in defining and subsequntly the implementation the ONE UN strategy for the country.

Theme groups (TGs) can be used for a wide range of activities throughout the CCA/UNDAF process, from analysis, planning and implementation to monitoring and reporting. TGs activities vary widely, nonetheless some basic principles should be observed to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in supporting the UN programming process. Theme Groups along with Working Groups (WG) are important tools in bringing the UN to the forefront to support the Government of Serbia in achieving the MDGs through UNDAF outcomes implementation.

The overall objectives of TGs and WGs are to develop shared and coherent approaches towards the achievement of the relevant UNDAF outcomes and to support the monitoring of the progress in realizing the set objectives. TGs are headed by chairpersons who are Head of Agencies appointed by the RC/RCO. The chairpersons participate in coordination, provide guidance, advice and decisions for implementation of activities by the WGs.

Working Groups are to provide technical support on specific issues within the TGs; advise and propose viable, effective and coherent plans of action and eventually implement projects and monitor their achievement in the related field/s. Under the immediate leadership of the Leading Agency (LA) and overall coordination of UNCT, agency focal points should consist of program officers appointed by TG chair and would operate and prioritize according to the strategic objectives identified in the UNDAF document.

Task Forces (TF) should be part of WGs, led by a leading agency. TFs should provide support/assistance to the relative WGs in ad hoc instances and whenever it is considered to be necessary. TFs could be formed for the aim of project implementation or whenever it would be considered necessary.

Terms of Reference

All TGs should have terms of reference which clearly indicate the following:

1. Rationale for the TG
2. Clear outputs and outcomes
3. TG composition and chair
4. Responsibilities
5. Frequency of meetings and reporting to the UNCT
6. How the TG will seek to attain its objectives
7. Dates to decide if TG should continue or not (sunset clause)

TGs for UNDAF implementation

Theme groups should be considered and treated as a permanent mechanism within the UNCT system, so that while their number should be fixed, WGs should maintain a higher level of flexibility both in terms of their presence (that may be temporary in some cases) and of their number. In fact the number of the WGs would depend on the specific mandates/needs/requirements of TGs, according to the present capacity, to the on-going and planned (joint) activities/programs of the UNCT team and TGs, as well as to the overall strategy for MDGs and UNDAF outcomes implementation. Likewise, the number of the TFs would be defined according to the mandate/tasks/duties/implementation needs/workload of specific WGs.

TGs should not normally be used for broad discussions on donor coordination as this is a Government responsibility. While the UNCT should support such processes to be run by national partners, this would not be considered a UN TG.

However, in certain situations it may be required to invite a wider group of external partners to special TG meetings, e.g. for monitoring and evaluation of TG activities.

TG leadership and chairs

The chair of each TG should be agreed by the UNCT based on nominations from agencies. The skills of the individual are key to the success of the TG. A TG should always be chaired by a Head of Agency appointed by the RC/RCO. The TG chairperson should further decide on the chairs of the WGs that would be the appointed program officer focal points of the WG Leading Agency, which does not necessarily need to be the same as the one of the TG. It is recommended that a co-chairing and a rotating system, to be defined in details by individual TGs, are put in place in order to enhance the sharing of responsibility by more than one agency. The chair should be responsible for the overall performance of the TG/WG and should be held accountable for the achievement of the planned outputs.