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cially important when a financial intermediary—such as a bank, microfinance institution,
or money transfer company—must be selected for the disbursement of start-up grants.
UNDP Headquarters offers a variety of special services and procedures that are useful to
those Country Offices that are involved in the implementation of targeted self-employment
projects. These include the following:
• The “SURGE” services of BCPR offer the rapid deployment of staff who are acquainted
with UNDP procedures and practices, are experienced with crisis situations, and have
expertise in UN coordination, aid coordination, resource mobilization, communications,
finance, human resources, field security, procurement, and other critical aspects of
implementing targeted self-employment projects.
• When requested and deemed appropriate, UNDP Headquarters authorizes the use of
“Fast Track” operational procedures for recruitment, disbursements, and procurement.
• Ready-to-download templates and examples, including standardized job descriptions,
will soon be available for download from the UNDP Intranet site for Signature Products.
By recruiting locally and purchasing inputs from local suppliers whenever possible, the
project can support the revival of local markets. Recruitment and procurement plans
should take this priority of the project into account.
Box 3.3. Summary of timesaving actions to accelerate the delivery of a targeted self-employment project
• Use direct implementation by UNDP as the implementation modality where possible. This makes starting the project faster because it avoids the complications
of selecting an implementing partner and enables UNDP to rapidly recruit staff and initiate procurement for the project. (See section 3.2.2 (c).)
• Access the special services and procedures that UNDP Headquarters offers for programming in crisis and post-crisis situations. In particular, (a) request
“SURGE” support from BCPR as needed for rapid deployment of staff who are acquainted with UNDP procedures and practices, are experienced with crisis
situations, and have expertise in UN coordination, aid coordination, resource mobilization, communications, finance, human resources, field security,
procurement, and other critical areas; (b) request authority from UNDP Headquarters to use “Fast Track” operational procedures for recruitment, disbursements,
and procurement; and (c) access the ready-to-download templates and examples, including those that provide standard job descriptions on the
forthcoming UNDP Intranet site for Signature Products. (See section 3.2.2 (d).)
• For projects in which UNDP will directly procure the contents of start-up packages, prepare a quick procurement plan. When a financial intermediary is
needed for the disbursement of start-up grants (e.g., a bank, microfinance institution, money transfer company), start the procurement process at a very
early stage. To ensure that the correct amounts of cash will be available for distribution to grant recipients on schedule, prepare a quick cash flow plan.
(See section 3.2.2 (d).)
• Provide guidance and support to local NGOs and CBOs that are potential responsible parties, e.g., by offering information and training on proposal
preparation and submission, rather than simply publishing a call for proposals. Also, provide participating NGOs/CBOs with simplified operational manuals,
including formats for subproject submissions, monitoring and reporting, etc.
• With government leadership wherever possible, set up a coordination structure with other organizations that are involved in livelihoods stabilization and
related interventions, e.g., within the Early Recovery Cluster, as early as possible. (See section 3.2.2 (h).)
3.2.2 (e) Selection of participants and enterprises to support
Clearly defined, transparent criteria and procedures are needed for selecting target communities,
recipients of start-up assistance, and the livelihood activities to be supported.
Targeted self-employment projects, like all livelihoods and economic recovery projects,
are most effective when crisis-affected groups and local authorities agree upon the
selection criteria, and are involved in the selection process.
In most cases, start-up assistance targets households, individuals, and enterprise groups.
A local authority, such as a village council, is often best placed to identify potential
participants, though some local authorities are insufficiently impartial and inclusive,
and this consideration should be taken into account. Candidates for support may have
Livelihoods & Economic Recovery in Crisis Situations