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29.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)

Fair

29

OVERVIEW

UN OCHA is a coordinating body for humanitarian aid flows. Multiple sources of data have been used to assess OCHA, including IATI data published through the Financial Tracking Service (FTS), a clearing house of information on humantarian aid flows, and information on OCHA’s role as a donor and manager of pooled funds available on OCHA’s website. See UN-wide recommendations.

OCHA was the first humanitarian agency to begin publishing data to IATI in February 2013. It has implemented an extension beyond the current IATI Standard to cover information on emergencies and appeals. OCHA’s efforts to publish information on its activities must be understood in the context of its organisational structure and its many roles – as a recipient of donor funds; a humanitarian donor; a manager of three pooled funds; and a secondary publisher of information on humanitarian aid flows. In most cases, provision of data to the FTS is voluntary so OCHA’s responsibility for publishing high quality data through the FTS should be understood in this context.

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ANALYSIS

The FTS IATI data is published live out of its database. OCHA published an unambitious implementation schedule for FTS, planning to include only 32% of IATI fields, but this may be a reflection of the low quality of information provided by donors to FTS. IATI data could be a useful way to populate FTS, improving the quality of information already held there. OCHA also started publishing its own information to IATI in June 2014. The initial publication includes information on earmarked funding for OCHA’s field activities. However, these files did not contain activity dates at the end of data collection for the Index and therefore could not be taken into account as it was not possible to select current projects for this assessment.

OCHA scores 41.3%, placing it in the fair category. It ranks 13th out of 17 mutlilateral organisations. It receives higher scores than ECHO, the only other humanitarian agency in the Index, for publishing activity documents and financial data on indvidual activities. However it scores for on activity classifications and organisation planning and financial information are lower than ECHO’s. While the nature of humanitarian operations means that long-term forward planning data is unlikely to exist, data for the next two fiscal years is available on its website. Overall, OCHA does not score on 10 of the 39 indicators.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • OCHA should improve its publication to IATI so it is comprehensive and includes an organisation file, forward-looking budgets, results and conditions data and information for the pooled funds it manages.
  • It should publish a disclosure policy in line with best practice on presumption of disclosure, exceptions, public interest overrides and independent appeals processes.
  • OCHA should work with other humanitarian aid organisations through the IATI humanitarian working group to ensure that the Standard fully meets the need of humanitarian aid operations. 

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DONOR PROFILE

First published to IATI:

Mar-13

2013 ATI Score:

41.71%

2013 ATI Rank:

25



Visit ATI 2013...

INDICATOR SCORING

TOTAL

41.30%


COMMITMENT TO
AID TRANSPARENCY:

3.29/10


PUBLICATION
ORGANISATION LEVEL:

10.19/25


PUBLICATION
ACTIVITY LEVEL:

27.82/65

Commitment

1. FOIA

2. Implementation Schedules

3. Accessibility

Publication Status
Source

No data available.

Comments

No specific disclosure or transparency policy found on the website for UN OCHA.


Click here to view history

1. FOIA

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
No specific disclosure or transparency policy found on the website for UN OCHA.
Donor Review
PWYF Review
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
No specific disclosure or transparency policy found on the website for UN OCHA.
Publication Status
Source

http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/

Comments

This indicator measures the level of ambition shown by organisations in implementing the IATI component of the common standard. The complete assessment can be found on Publish What You Fund's Aid Transparency Tracker website. IATI implementation schedules are also accepted.


Click here to view history

2. Implementation schedules

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/41127/
Based on Publish What You Fund's analysis of IATI/Common Standard implementation schedules.
Donor Review
http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/41127/
FTS has an API and publishes its data to the IATI standard. OCHA is developing an API, and currently is only able Expand...to publish data manually to IATI. However, all OCHA's financial information, as well as information on funding and allocations by the pooled funds (CERF, ERFs and CHFs) is communicated by API to FTS.
PWYF Review
http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/
This indicator measures the level of ambition shown by organisations in implementing the IATI component of the common standard. The complete Expand...assessment can be found on Publish What You Fund's Aid Transparency Tracker website. IATI implementation schedules are also accepted.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
http://tracker.publishwhatyoufund.org/plan/organisations/
This indicator measures the level of ambition shown by organisations in implementing the IATI component of the common standard. The complete Expand...assessment can be found on Publish What You Fund's Aid Transparency Tracker website. IATI implementation schedules are also accepted.
Publication Status
Source

No data available.

Comments

Portals are scored using three criteria: 1) the portal allows free, bulk export of data; 2) it contains detailed disaggregated data; 3) the data is published under an open licence. Each of these carry 1/3rd of the total points of 100. Scores for detailed disaggregated data and free bulk export. The terms and conditions state that FTS data can be used for ""own"" use but does not specify conditions for commercial use. As per the definition of open licence, commercial use must be permitted to score on the 'open licence' criterion.


Click here to view history

3. Accessibility

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
http://fts.unocha.org
Portals are scored using three criteria: 1) the portal allows free, bulk export of data; 2) it contains detailed disaggregated data; Expand...3) the data is published under an open licence. Each of these carry 1/3rd of the total points of 100. Scores for detailed disaggregated data and free bulk export. The terms and conditions state that FTS data can be used for ""own"" use but does not specify conditions for commercial use. As per the definition of open licence, commercial use must be permitted to score on the 'open licence' criterion.
Donor Review
http://fts.unocha.org
PWYF Review
The terms and conditions state on the FTS website state that FTS data can be used for ""own"" use but does Expand...not specify conditions for commercial use. As per the definition of open licence, commercial use must be permitted to score on the 'open licence' criterion.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Portals are scored using three criteria: 1) the portal allows free, bulk export of data; 2) it contains detailed disaggregated data; Expand...3) the data is published under an open licence. Each of these carry 1/3rd of the total points of 100. Scores for detailed disaggregated data and free bulk export. The terms and conditions state that FTS data can be used for ""own"" use but does not specify conditions for commercial use. As per the definition of open licence, commercial use must be permitted to score on the 'open licence' criterion.

Planning

Financial

4. Organisation Strategy

5. Annual Report

6. Allocation Policy

7. Procurement Policy

8. Country Strategy

9. Total Budget

10. Disaggregated Budgets

11. Audit

Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OCHA%20in%202014-15%20vF%2072%20dpi%20single%20WEB.pdf

Comments

Organisation plan and budget for 2014-2015 available. The 2014-2017 Strategic Plan was not available at the time of the final assessment.


Click here to view history

4. Organisation strategy

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OCHA%20in%202014-15%20vF%2072%20dpi%20single%20WEB.pdf
Organisation plan and budget for 2014-2015 available.
Donor Review
Always
Document
Link to strategic plan not yet available.
OCHA also has a new 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, as well as an accompanying Management Plan.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OCHA%20in%202014-15%20vF%2072%20dpi%20single%20WEB.pdf
Organisation plan and budget for 2014-2015 available. The 2014-2017 Strategic Plan was not available at the time of the final assessment.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/*/77 http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf - http://unocha.org/cerf/resources/information-products/annual-reports

Comments

Annual reports appear to be published within regular cycles.


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5. Annual report

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/*/77
Annual reports appear to be published within regular cycles.
Donor Review
Always
Document
- http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/*/77 - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf - http://unocha.org/cerf/resources/information-products/annual-reports Expand...
Annual reports are published every year around June. In addition, the pooled funds (CERF and the country-based pooled funds) publish their own Expand...annual reports.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/*/77 http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf - http://unocha.org/cerf/resources/information-products/annual-reports Expand...
Annual reports appear to be published within regular cycles.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/foreword http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/ - http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/78 - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf/global-erf-guidelines - http://www.unocha.org/cerf/resources/guidance-and-templates

Comments

The documents at the links alongside detail OCHAs allocation policies.


Click here to view history

6. Allocation policy

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/foreword
Allocation policy is available through the 2014-2015 strategic plan documents.
Donor Review
Always
Document
- http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/ - http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/78 - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf/global-erf-guidelines - http://www.unocha.org/cerf Expand...
The 2014-2015 Strategic Plan refers only to how OCHA will allocate its own funds. However, pooled funds (CERF and country-based pooled Expand...funds) follow separate allocation policies. For the Emergency Response Funds, please refer to the Global guidelines. For CHFs, each country with a CHF develops allocation guidelines before standard allocations take place. All of these can be found on OCHA's website under each CHF/ERF country specific web page. For CERF, there is guidance on how both the Rapid Response (RR) and Underfunded (UFE) windows work. The guidance notes set out the framework for how allocations are undertaken under the two windows (these are on the website and both will be updated this year). Additionally, UFE guidance is posted on the website (front page and under the UFE section) before each round. For UFE allocations (which is a proactive process compared to the reactive nature of the RR window) CERF produces a report that outlines the rationale for the selection of recipient countries and the funding envelopes.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
Agree with OCHA's description - they are in principle very transparent about decision-making criteria and processes.
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/foreword http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/ - http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/78 - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf/global-erf-guidelines - http://www.unocha.org/cerf/resources/guidance-and-templates Expand...
The documents at the links alongside detail OCHAs allocation policies.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.un.org/depts/ptd/pdf/pm.pdf

Comments

Procurement is run through UN Office in Geneva, procurement procedures last updated November 2011.


Click here to view history

7. Procurement policy

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://www.un.org/depts/ptd/pdf/pm.pdf
Procurement is run through UN Office in Geneva, procurement procedures last updated November 2011.
Donor Review
Always
Document
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.un.org/depts/ptd/pdf/pm.pdf
Procurement is run through UN Office in Geneva, procurement procedures last updated November 2011.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.unocha.org/south-sudan/

Comments

The information is considered to be 'always published' as various documents/webpages set out the organisation's approach in South Sudan.


Click here to view history

8. Country strategy

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/SouthSudan/South%20Sudan%20Crisis%20Response%20Plan_January%20to%20June%202014.pdf
South Sudan crisis response plans published.
Donor Review
Not published
Document
The focus on individual SRPs (here, and below) is not clear. If the research is conflating OCHA with FTS and SRPs Expand...then this is a methodological mistake. Using an SRP as a proxy for OCHA is incorrect (unless used as an example of what information is available on FTS). An SRP, which is a consolidated inter-agency response plan, should not be a proxy for an OCHA country strategy, which governs how OCHA engages in any given context. OCHA's own country strategies stem from its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan. These country strategies are internal, and not made public.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/south-sudan/
The Index is an assessment of OCHA as a provider of humanitarian funding. As per the methodology, surveys are completed using Expand...information pertaining to the country receiving the largest amount of aid by value from the development organisation. This is South Sudan according to the latest annual report available. FTS is used as a data source for activity level indicators, based on the understanding that the FTS is the most relevant data source for activity level information. The information required for country strategies is available in the SRP and the country pages for South Sudan. Similar information can be found for other countries. Therefore the indicator is considered to be 'always published' in line with what has been accepted for other donors.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
Agree with 'always published', but as per OCHA's response, the SRP does not belong to OCHA and therefore would not Expand...be the correct indicator. It is a collective effort of all humanitarian actors in the context. It may be more relevant to look at the strategy allocation papers for country-level pooled funds in order to assess OCHA's role as a donor. These are usually available on country so agree in fact with the assessment that the document is 'always published' but may be worth checking this with OCHA.
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/south-sudan/
The information is considered to be 'always published' as various documents/webpages set out the organisation's approach in South Sudan.
Publication Status
Source

http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan

Comments

OCHA's total budget for financing its own operations is available for 2014 and 2015


Click here to view history

9. Total budget

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Website
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan
Available for 2014 and 2015
Donor Review
Website
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded
PWYF Review
Website
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
OCHA's total budget for financing its own operations, not OCHA's financing as a 'donor'. Which is subject to annual fundraising.
PWYF Final Assessment
Website
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan
OCHA's total budget for financing its own operations is available for 2014 and 2015
Publication Status
Source

http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan

Comments

Available for 2014 and 2015


Click here to view history

10. Disaggregated budgets

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Website
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan
Available for 2014 and 2015
Donor Review
Website
http://www.unocha.org/where-we-work/all-countries http://www.unocha.org/pakistan/about-us/about-ocha-pakistan (for example of country-level funding information)
All OCHA country offices display (or will do so shortly) funding information on the individual country office pages on unocha.org. This Expand...information is a) requirements and b) funding (broken down by (un)earmarked and carryover, and is searchable over the previous five/six years.
PWYF Review
Website
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Website
http://www.unocha.org/ochain/2014-15/financial-plan
Available for 2014 and 2015
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/2012%20OCHA%20Annual%20Report.pdf http://www.un.org/Depts/oios/pages/rep_and_pub.html http://www.un.org/en/auditors/board/

Comments

As confirmed by the donor, annual accounts are provided in the annual report.


Click here to view history

11. Audit

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/2012%20OCHA%20Annual%20Report.pdf
Annual accounts are provided in the annual report.
Donor Review
Always
Document
- http://www.un.org/Depts/oios/ - http://www.un.org/Depts/oios/pages/rep_and_pub.html - http://www.un.org/en/auditors/board/ Expand...
OCHA provides certified statements of accounts to all its donors on an annual basis. Additionally, the financial information included in its Expand...annual reports is also certified by the Administrative Services Branch. OCHA is subject to internal oversight by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) as stipulated by General Assembly (GA) resolutions 48/218B and ST/SGB/273. The OIOS Internal Audit Division (IAD) examines the way OCHA manages internal processes to assess whether they are working efficiently and effectively, as well as reviewing compliance with regulations and rules, and makes recommendations for improvement. At the completion of an audit, the results and recommendations are provided in a final audit report. OCHA's accounts are audited by the UN Board of Auditors every biennium. The current biennium is 2014-2015.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/2012%20OCHA%20Annual%20Report.pdf http://www.un.org/Depts/oios/pages/rep_and_pub.html http://www.un.org/en/auditors/board/ Expand...
As confirmed by the donor, annual accounts are provided in the annual report.

Basic

Classifications

Financial

Performance

12. Implementer

13. Unique ID

14. Title

15. Description

16. Planned Dates

17. Actual Dates

18. Current Status

19. Contact Details

20. Collaboration Type

21. Flow Type

22. Aid Type

23. Finance Type

24. Sector

25. Sub-national Location

26. Tied Aid Status

27. MoU

28. Evaluations

29. Objectives

30. Budget Docs

31. Contracts

32. Tenders

33. Budget

34. Commitments

35. Disbursements And Expenditure

36. Budget Identifier

37. Results

38. Impact Appraisals

39. Conditions

Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 99.77%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 91.37%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 95.16%


Publication Status

Not Published

Source

http://iatiregistry.org/publisher/unocha

Comments

Both month and year are required to score on this indicator. No files could be found for OCHA on the IATI Registry.


Click here to view history

17. Actual dates

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
The project documents list one set of dates - these are understood to be the planned dates. Actual start and end Expand...dates need to be stated explicitly in order to score on this indicator.
Donor Review
Not published
Website
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/78
Dates included in SRP projects are for planning purposes, and do not necessarily correspond to actual project implementation dates. (These are Expand...always included in final project proposals/MoUs/etc shared with donors). Project dates in SRPs correspond to the calendar year, except when there is a major humanitarian emergency, in which case a new appeal will be started with its own timeline which may or may not correspond to the calendar year. For OCHA's own projects, the activities last one year and are budgeted as such. This is reflected in OCHA's two-year planning document (OCHA in 2014-2015). This information is now being published to IATI.
PWYF Review
Not published
http://iatiregistry.org/publisher/unocha
Both month and year are required to score on this indicator. No files could be found for OCHA on the IATI Expand...Registry.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Not published
http://iatiregistry.org/publisher/unocha
Both month and year are required to score on this indicator. No files could be found for OCHA on the IATI Expand...Registry.
Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Pdf

Source

No data available.

Comments

As per the donor's feedback information on closed (i.e. completed) projects is not published. Response remains sometimes published.


Click here to view history

18. Current Status

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
Project status is either ongoing or not yet started in CAP project sheets for South Sudan.
Donor Review
Always
Pdf
http://www.unocha.org/where-we-work/all-countries http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/78
Again, the focus on South Sudan is unclear. As a UN organization, OCHA's activities are on-going. The country offices where projects Expand...are underway are listed online. If an office or project is closed, it is no longer listed online or in the publication ""OCHA in 2014-2015"". Additionally, using OPS as a source for this indicator is problematic as OPS is a closed system for appealing agencies only. That said, the information in an OPS project sheet (but not OPS itself) is accessible through FTS, if and when the project is approved for inclusion in an SRP. Therefore, FTS should be source for this indicator.
PWYF Review
Sometimes
Pdf
Response changed to 'sometimes published' as the donor's feedback indicates that information on closed projects is not published..
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
I dont think the OPS being closed is relevant here. Projects are published to FTS when they are approved and Expand...funded. Only those not funded (in which case do we need to see them) or not approved for inclusion in the SRP (in which case, prob not OCHA's responsibility to publish them and in any case agencies may voluntarily report them to FTS), would not be visible.
PWYF Final Assessment
Sometimes
Pdf
As per the donor's feedback information on closed (i.e. completed) projects is not published. Response remains sometimes published.
Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Pdf

Source

http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf

Comments

Published for some projects. OPS documents used as evidence in this assessment have been obtained via FTS which has been used as the data source for activity-level indicators, based on the understanding that the FTS is the most relevant data source for activity level information.


Click here to view history

19. Contact details

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Sometimes
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
Published for some projects.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Pdf
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-contacts
As above: the focus on South Sudan is unclear. Is it being used as a proxy for how OCHA displays contact Expand...details? If so, the details displayed are not OCHA's but are the details of each individual agency appealing in any given SRP. Outside of projects in an SRP, OCHA does not publish contact details for its projects. Additionally, using OPS as a source for this indicator is problematic as OPS is a closed system for appealing agencies only. That said, the information in an OPS project sheet (but not OPS itself) is accessible through FTS, if and when the project is approved for inclusion in an SRP. Therefore, FTS should be source for this indicator.
PWYF Review
Sometimes
Pdf
See above (country strategy) for why the assessment focuses on South Sudan. OPS documents used as evidence in this assessment have Expand...been obtained via FTS which has been used as the data source for activity-level indicators, based on the understanding that the FTS is the most relevant data source for activity level information.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Sometimes
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
Published for some projects. OPS documents used as evidence in this assessment have been obtained via FTS which has been used Expand...as the data source for activity-level indicators, based on the understanding that the FTS is the most relevant data source for activity level information.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Website

Source

http://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=Pooled-SummaryPoolFunds# http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded

Comments

OCHA implements its own projects, and does not have or use implementing or subcontracting partners. The pooled funds page of the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) provides information on funding to and from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF) and Emergency Response Funds (ERF).


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20. Collaboration Type

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Sometimes
Website
http://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=Pooled-SummaryPoolFunds#
This information could not be found consistently for all projects. Some projects are delivered through pooled funds.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Website
OCHA implements its own projects, and does not have or use implementing or subcontracting partners. The pooled funds page of the Expand...Financial Tracking Service (FTS) provides information on funding to and from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF) and Emergency Response Funds (ERF). The reports included in this section provide the general public with selected funding information on donor funding to these funds, as well as allocations made by these funds to humanitarian organizations. FTS also publishes the names of all donors to OCHA and the website states: ""To finance these activities, OCHA is funded from the United Nations Regular Budget and from Member States’ voluntary contributions.""
PWYF Review
Always
Website
Response changed to 'always published' based on donor comments.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Website
http://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=Pooled-SummaryPoolFunds# http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded
OCHA implements its own projects, and does not have or use implementing or subcontracting partners. The pooled funds page of the Expand...Financial Tracking Service (FTS) provides information on funding to and from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF) and Emergency Response Funds (ERF).
Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

The flow type shows whether the organisation states this activity counts as ODA, OOF, climate finance or any other type of flow. This has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or a single place on the organisation's website if there is only one flow type for all activities, e.g. ""all aid is ODA"", or ""we only provide private grants/technical assistance"".


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21. Flow Type

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
This information could not be found. As per the indicator guidelines, the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or Expand...once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one flow type (e.g. “all aid is ODA”).
Donor Review
Sometimes
Website
- http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/overview
All financial contributions to OCHA are classed as 'voluntary contributions to OCHA's extrabugetary programme budget activities.' As per agreed MoUs, OCHA Expand...also channels funds received from donors to its pooled funds (ERF, CHF). It can be said, however, that most of the funds that OCHA thus channels would be categorized as ODA from the original source. In very rare cases, contributions are in-kind.
PWYF Review
Not published
This information could not be found. As per the indicator guidelines, the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or Expand...once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one flow type (e.g. “all aid is ODA”).
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Seems a slightly strange indicator. Unlikely an organisation like OCHA would understand the need to declare whether contributions were ODA or Expand...not. Does it matter for the work they do?
PWYF Final Assessment
Not published
The flow type shows whether the organisation states this activity counts as ODA, OOF, climate finance or any other type of Expand...flow. This has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or a single place on the organisation's website if there is only one flow type for all activities, e.g. ""all aid is ODA"", or ""we only provide private grants/technical assistance"".
Publication Status

Always

Format: Machine-readable

Source

http://fts.unocha.org/reports/daily/OCHA_R3_A1024.XLS

Comments

As confirmed by the donor, all funding to OCHA goes towards its own activities and can be classed as funding to 'projects'.


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22. Aid Type

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Machine readable
http://fts.unocha.org/reports/daily/OCHA_R3_A1024.XLS
Project type interventions.
Donor Review
Always
Machine readable
- http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/overview
All funding to OCHA goes towards its own activities and can be classed as funding to 'projects'. As per agreed MoUs, OCHA Expand...also channels funds received from donors to its pooled funds (ERF, CHF).
PWYF Review
Always
Machine readable
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Machine readable
http://fts.unocha.org/reports/daily/OCHA_R3_A1024.XLS
As confirmed by the donor, all funding to OCHA goes towards its own activities and can be classed as funding to Expand...'projects'.
Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 50.01%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 100%


Publication Status

Always

Format: Pdf

Source

http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf

Comments

Available in OPS documents which have been accessed via the FTS


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25. Sub-national location

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
Published in project sheets.
Donor Review
Always
Pdf
Projects in SRPs have the option of displaying sub-national location information. However, using OPS as a source for this indicator is Expand...problematic as OPS is a closed system for appealing agencies only. That said, the information in an OPS project sheet (but not OPS itself) is accessible through FTS, if and when the project is approved for inclusion in an SRP. Therefore, FTS should be source for this indicator. OCHA does not publish disaggregated information on its funding to the sub-national level.
PWYF Review
Always
Pdf
OPS documents have been accessed via the FTS
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
In principle orgs can report sub-national location. In practice I think it is rare.
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
Available in OPS documents which have been accessed via the FTS
Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

Humanitarian aid flows can be tied or untied and OCHA is not exempt for this indicator. As per the indicator guidelines, the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one tied aid status (e.g. “all aid is untied”).


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26. Tied Aid Status

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
Humanitarian aid flows can be tied or untied and OCHA is not exempt for this indicator. As per the indicator guidelines, Expand...the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one tied aid status (e.g. “all aid is untied”).
Donor Review
Not published
Not applicable to FTS or OCHA. As stated online, OCHA is a humanitarian organization, and as such, does not receive or Expand...manage funds that involve tied aid.
PWYF Review
Not published
Humanitarian aid flows can be tied or untied and OCHA is not exempt for this indicator. As per the indicator guidelines, Expand...the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one tied aid status (e.g. “all aid is untied”).
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Not published
Humanitarian aid flows can be tied or untied and OCHA is not exempt for this indicator. As per the indicator guidelines, Expand...the information has to be explicitly stated per activity, or once in a country strategy paper or in a clear place on the organisation’s website if there is only one tied aid status (e.g. “all aid is untied”).
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://mptf.undp.org/document/search

Comments

MoUs between OCHA's funders and OCHA are accepted for this indicator. This information appears to be consistently available via the mptf website. Hence the response is changed to 'always published.'


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27. MoU

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
Document
This information could not be found. MoUs between the donor and the recipient are required in order to score on this Expand...indicator.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Document
- http://mptf.undp.org/document/search - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf/global-erf-guidelines
All OCHA projects contain detailed MoUs with the donor (these are on OCHA's own Contribution Tracking System, and are not published). Expand... Grants made through ERFs contain detailed MoUs with, for example, implementation dates, payment dates, etc. The requirements and conditions, as well as other details, are available on the humanitarian financing page on unocha.org Grants made to the CHFs are available on the MPTF website.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
http://mptf.undp.org/document/search -
MoUs between OCHA's funders and OCHA are accepted for this indicator. This information appears to be consistently available via the mptf Expand...website. Hence the response is changed to 'always published.'
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://mptf.undp.org/document/search
MoUs between OCHA's funders and OCHA are accepted for this indicator. This information appears to be consistently available via the mptf Expand...website. Hence the response is changed to 'always published.'
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/policy/thematic-areas/evaluations-of-humanitarian-response/reports http://www.unocha.org/cerf/reportsevaluations/evaluations-and-studies http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/country-based-pooled-funds/evaluations-and-reports

Comments

Evaluations published within regular cycles.


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28. Evaluations

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/policy/thematic-areas/evaluations-of-humanitarian-response/reports http://www.unocha.org/cerf/reportsevaluations/evaluations-and-studies
Evaluations published within regular cycles.
Donor Review
Always
Document
- http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/country-based-pooled-funds/evaluations-and-reports - http://www.unocha.org/cerf/reportsevaluations/evaluations-and-studies - http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/policy/thematic-areas/evaluations Expand...
OCHA conducts internal and external evaluations to promote transparency, accountability and learning through systematic and objective judgments about the relevance, efficiency, Expand...effectiveness and impact of humanitarian interventions. To ensure credibility, transparency and independence, all evaluations in OCHA are conducted by external experts. All evaluations include a formal management response, which addresses recommendations and identifies follow-up action responsibility. Evaluations in OCHA may be externally or internally mandated. Additionally, all CERF/ERF/CHF evaluations are published online. CERF also commissions 3-5 individual and independent country reviews each year to determine the added value of CERF in those countries in the past year. These reviews are also published online on the CERF website.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
OCHA - particularly with its pooled funds - has a very high level of commitment to evaluation and learning.
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/policy/thematic-areas/evaluations-of-humanitarian-response/reports http://www.unocha.org/cerf/reportsevaluations/evaluations-and-studies http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/country-based-pooled-funds/evaluations-and-reports Expand...
Evaluations published within regular cycles.
Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 89.68%


Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

No data available.

Comments

Available in OPS documents which have been accessed via the FTS


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30. Budget Docs

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf
The information is available in the project sheets.
Donor Review
Always
Document
Using OPS as a source for this indicator is problematic as OPS is a closed system for appealing agencies only. Within SRPs, Expand...if OCHA is submitting a project then the project will contain a basic budget (consisting of staff costs, non-staff costs, and programme support costs). This budget becomes visible when the project is accepted for inclusion in an SRP and is then published on FTS. Therefore, FTS should be source for this type of information, not OPS. Outside of submitting this information to FTS, OCHA does not publicly publish what intended spending is for different lines of individual activities. The OCHA in 2014-2015 report shows requirements by staff and non-staff costs.
PWYF Review
Always
Document
OPS documents have been accessed via the FTS
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
Available in OPS documents which have been accessed via the FTS
Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Document

Source

http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/13_field_po_others.htm#

Comments

Contracts for good and services at HQ level are published but no contracts could be found for field operations.


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31. Contracts

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Sometimes
Document
http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/13_field_po_others.htm#
Contracts for good and services at HQ level are published but no contracts could be found for field operations.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Document
PWYF Review
Sometimes
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Sometimes
Document
http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/13_field_po_others.htm#
Contracts for good and services at HQ level are published but no contracts could be found for field operations.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/eoi.htm http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006AC19C/(httpPages)/D69BFF41202B9C7180256EED0060A4D5?OpenDocument

Comments

No data available.


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32. Tenders

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/eoi.htm http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006AC19C/(httpPages)/D69BFF41202B9C7180256EED0060A4D5?OpenDocument Expand...
Donor Review
Always
Document
PWYF Review
Always
Document
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/eoi.htm http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006AC19C/(httpPages)/D69BFF41202B9C7180256EED0060A4D5?OpenDocument Expand...
Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 18.8%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 23.75%


Publication Status

IATI

Data quality: 33.27%


Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

This information could not be found.


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36. Budget Identifier

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
This information could not be found.
Donor Review
Not published
NA
PWYF Review
Not published
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Not published
This information could not be found.
Publication Status

Sometimes

Format: Pdf

Source

http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/77

Comments

As per the donor's comments, results against individual projects are not publicly available, but can be found in annual reports.


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37. Results

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Pdf
http://ops.unocha.org/Reports/compendium/temp/FinalReport_TOC_BM_CoverPage_415313b5-51d8-4ffb-a06b-0afb944426f0.pdf http://mptf.undp.org/document/search?fund=HCG10&document_areas=fund,project&go=true Expand...
Expected results are published in project sheets. Information on closed activities is available in annual progress reports.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Pdf
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/77
The reference to OPS is incorrect: OPS is a closed system for appealing agencies only, and is not publicly accessible. For Expand...OCHA, progress against its strategic objectives will be published on an annual basis, mainly through the annual report: however, results against individual projects are not publicly available
PWYF Review
Sometimes
Pdf
Although OCHA scored on this indicator in 2013, based on the donor's comments above, the response has been changed to ' Expand...sometimes published' for 2014.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
PWYF Final Assessment
Sometimes
Pdf
http://www.unocha.org/about-us/publications/flagship-publications/%2A/77
As per the donor's comments, results against individual projects are not publicly available, but can be found in annual reports.
Publication Status

Always

Format: Document

Source

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Sudan%202014%20Strategic%20Response%20Plan.pdf

Comments

Humanitarian implementation plans/work/response plans are accepted in lieu of project-level impact appraisals for humanitarian agencies as per the scoring guidelines. Cross-checked for four other countries: Mali, Pakistan, Syria, DRC


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38. Impact Appraisals

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Always
Document
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Sudan%202014%20Strategic%20Response%20Plan.pdf
Humanitarian Work Plan available for Sudan. Accepted in lieu of project-wise impact appraisals for humanitarian agencies as per the indicator definition. Expand...Information on impact appraisals also available in project sheets.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Document
http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/policy/thematic-areas/evaluations-of-humanitarian-response/reports
Reference to South Sudan unclear. OCHA does not produce pre-project impact appraisals of its own projects. The closest OCHA comes are the Expand...post-project evaluations of some of its, and its partners', work.
PWYF Review
Sometimes
Document
See above (country strategy) for why South Sudan is the focus of the assessment. Based on donor comments, response changed to Expand...'sometimes published.'
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
The Work Plan is not comparable to an impact appraisal. They start to do some monitoring against work plan, but definitely Expand...not impact appraisal. OCHA prob does for their own work though.
PWYF Final Assessment
Always
Document
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Sudan%202014%20Strategic%20Response%20Plan.pdf
Humanitarian implementation plans/work/response plans are accepted in lieu of project-level impact appraisals for humanitarian agencies as per the scoring guidelines. Cross-checked Expand...for four other countries: Mali, Pakistan, Syria, DRC
Publication Status

Not Published

Source

No data available.

Comments

Although OCHA scored on this indicator in 2013, it does not score in 2014 as the guidelines have been tightened to require conditions that are specific to the project. General templates and agreement frameworks are not accepted.


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39. Conditions

Stage

Status

Format

Source

Comments

Researcher
Not published
Document
No information on conditions could be found.
Donor Review
Sometimes
Document
http://www.unocha.org/what-we-do/humanitarian-financing/emergency-response-funds-erf/global-erf-guidelines
OCHA does not publish the details of the conditions that apply to its own funding. Regarding pooled funds, this information is Expand...available for both types of fund.
PWYF Review
Not published
Document
Although OCHA scored on this indicator in 2013, it does not score in 2014 as the guidelines have been tightened to Expand...require conditions that are specific to the project. General templates and agreement frameworks are not accepted.
Independent Reviewer
Disagree
Document
PWYF Final Assessment
Not published
Document
Although OCHA scored on this indicator in 2013, it does not score in 2014 as the guidelines have been tightened to Expand...require conditions that are specific to the project. General templates and agreement frameworks are not accepted.