United Nations Office for Project Services
Encyclopedia
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), is dedicated to implementing projects for the United Nations System
, international financial institutions, governments and other partners in the aid world. The organization's global headquarters is located in Copenhagen
, Denmark
and it has five regional offices and more than 20 country offices around the world.
UNOPS works particularly closely with UNDP, DPKO and The World Bank. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
(UNDP) and became an independent, self-financing organization in 1995. The UNOPS mission is "to expand the capacity of the United Nations System
to implement its peace building, humanitarian and development operations".
In 2010, UNOPS implemented $1.27 billion worth of projects for partners, up to 16 percent from 2009. Over the same period, administration costs dropped by $200,000 to $64.2 million.
and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.
While partners may need a public profile for fundraising or advocacy, UNOPS does not and takes a low-key position as a project implementer with no other agenda.
As part of the United Nations
goal of “delivering as one”, UNOPS does not challenge the role of any United Nations
organization in the political or policy areas. UNOPS aims to offer implementation expertise that permit others to reduce risks; improve speed, quality or cost-effectiveness, and focus on their policy-oriented mandates and core competencies.
Its core services include:
, UNOPS stays in business by delivering clients the highest quality services and by adhering to a meticulous and consistent commitment to full transparency and accountability.
In recognition of its specialized expertise, Secretary-General Kofi Annan
designated UNOPS as the lead United Nations
entity for complex infrastructure projects in peacekeeping settings.
UNOPS also has considerable capacity and experience in other sectors including:
United Nations System
The United Nations system consists of the United Nations, its subsidiary organs , the specialized agencies, and affiliated organizations...
, international financial institutions, governments and other partners in the aid world. The organization's global headquarters is located in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and it has five regional offices and more than 20 country offices around the world.
UNOPS works particularly closely with UNDP, DPKO and The World Bank. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
History
UNOPS was established in 1974 as part of the United Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
(UNDP) and became an independent, self-financing organization in 1995. The UNOPS mission is "to expand the capacity of the United Nations System
United Nations System
The United Nations system consists of the United Nations, its subsidiary organs , the specialized agencies, and affiliated organizations...
to implement its peace building, humanitarian and development operations".
Budget
UNOPS is self-financing, prompting efficiency and financial discipline. It covers administration costs by charging a small fee on each project supported. UNOPS is not-for-profit, and meets the highest international standards of accountability and transparency in all its transactions.In 2010, UNOPS implemented $1.27 billion worth of projects for partners, up to 16 percent from 2009. Over the same period, administration costs dropped by $200,000 to $64.2 million.
Stated Mission
UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the United Nations systemUnited Nations System
The United Nations system consists of the United Nations, its subsidiary organs , the specialized agencies, and affiliated organizations...
and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.
While partners may need a public profile for fundraising or advocacy, UNOPS does not and takes a low-key position as a project implementer with no other agenda.
As part of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
goal of “delivering as one”, UNOPS does not challenge the role of any United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
organization in the political or policy areas. UNOPS aims to offer implementation expertise that permit others to reduce risks; improve speed, quality or cost-effectiveness, and focus on their policy-oriented mandates and core competencies.
Services
UNOPS customizes its services to individual client needs, offering everything from one-time, stand alone solutions to long-term, project management.Its core services include:
- Project management
- Procurement
- Human resources management
- Fund management
- United Nations common services
Accountability
As a self-financing organization that receives no core funding from the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, UNOPS stays in business by delivering clients the highest quality services and by adhering to a meticulous and consistent commitment to full transparency and accountability.
Experience
UNOPS is a proven service provider with more than 30 years experience implementing large-scale, complex efforts throughout the world. UNOPS often works in post-disaster and peace building settings, developing countries and economies in transition.In recognition of its specialized expertise, Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
designated UNOPS as the lead United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
entity for complex infrastructure projects in peacekeeping settings.
UNOPS also has considerable capacity and experience in other sectors including:
- Education
- Environment
- Gender equality
- Governance
- Health
- Mine Action
- Public works
- Poverty mitigation
- Justice and reconciliation
- Security and public order
- Humanitarian relief and recovery