Delivering as One: United Nations Joint Programs

Joint Programs are designed to enhance the UN's work in cross­cutting issue areas by facilitating collaboration and coordination between distinct UN agencies, government partners, and local NGOs. Through shared planning, reporting, and evaluation mechanisms, Joint Programs are intended to improve information flows, reduce duplication, decrease transaction costs, and create synergies in service delivery and program implementation. But do Joint Programs deliver the gains in efficiency and effectiveness that they promise, or are they just another layer of bureaucracy? The Capstone team examined two Joint Programs in Ghana: the UN Joint Program for Human Security and the Joint UN Program on HIV and AIDS, each of which attempted to coordinate the work of over a dozen agencies and partners. Based on data collected from incountry observations, key informant interviews, focusgroup discussions, and extensive document review, the team identified and analyzed the practical challenges of Joint Programming on the ground. The Capstone team provided a set of recommendations focusing on ways to harmonize operational procedures across agencies, facilitate communication between partners, and ensure that Joint Programs are in alignment with national priorities and development coordination mechanisms.