Review of the role and quality of the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs)

Between August 2005 and May 2006, the Overseas Development Institute carried out a review of the role and quality of UNDAFs. The report highlights some of the measures in place to address current shortcomings while providing additional recommendations to improve the usefulness of the UNDAF as a tool. Some of the findings: + UNDAFs have over the past years become more focused + UNCT work is now better aligned with national processes + UNDAFs have strengthened the UN's collective identity and team-building - Transaction costs of the UNDAF process are still high - There is little regard to new aid modalities - True prioritization remains a challenge. The consultant argues that there is as yet no significant pay-off in terms of better strategic positioning of the UN at country level, nor evidence that the UNCTs have fully exerted their comparative advantage in programming.