United Nations Office for Project Services
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UNOPS has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to be a central resource for the United Nations system in procurement, contracts management, civil works and physical infrastructure development, including the related capacity development activities.
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting a range of partners in the implementation of around $1 billion worth of peace-building, humanitarian and development projects in more than 80 countries. UNOPS provides sustainable project management, infrastructure and procurement services that range from managing the construction of roads in Afghanistan to building shelters in Haiti and purchasing pharmaceuticals in Argentina. By managing around 1,000 projects for its partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground. A focus on high-quality results is built into the culture of UNOPS, with the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability core to its work.
UNOPS aims to create safer communities by expanding the capacity of the UN system, governments and other partners to implement disaster risk reduction activities that systematically build the resilience of nations and communities vulnerable to disasters. To achieve this goal, the organization focuses on infrastructure-based services with community involvement and institutional strengthening.
Highlights of impact since 2011
UNOPS contribution to disaster risk reduction (DRR) is twofold. UNOPS is dedicated to delivering sustainable results, ensuring that whenever possible DRR measures are incorporated in all the projects that it implements. Moreover, the organization uses its experience in both structural resilience building (e.g. resilient infrastructure services based on sound risk assessments) and non-structural resilience building (e.g. early warning systems, community participation and training) to function as a relevant implementing partner for specific infrastructure-based DRR services.
In relation to HFA priority 4 (reduce the underlying risk factors) UNOPS has developed a sustainable infrastructure policy, which reflects its commitment to ensuring that all of its work adheres to and promotes the highest possible international standards and quality. UNOPS has managed the design and construction of infrastructure projects such as schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to the highest standards, able to withstand extreme weather events.
UNOPS has also supported HFA priorities 2 and 5, by helping several partner countries monitor and prepare for recurring natural hazards, ranging from keeping mountain passes cleared of snow in Afghanistan, with funding from Japan, to supporting seismic monitoring in Argentina, for the Government.
Moreover, UNOPS supports HFA priorities 3 and 5 through capacity development and community awareness activities. In 2011, almost 90 per cent of its projects concerning natural disasters included elements that focused on developing national capacity of communities, labourers or institutions. The organization has managed the direct training of more than 170,000 people to help build the resilience of communities to natural hazards. In Afghanistan for example, villagers of both sexes were taught how to limit flooding by building retaining walls in projects that supported gender empowerment and gave villagers a marketable skill, on behalf of the governments of Italy and Japan.
Inter-Agency Group (IAG)
DRR focal points:
- Mr. Rainer Frauenfeld, Principal Adviser Disaster Programmes, HQ – Copenhagen, Denmark (rainerf@unops. org)
-Ms. Michelle Krogh, Programme Development Officer, HQ – Copenhagen, Denmark ([email protected])
Regional focal points:
- Asia-Pacific: Mr. Jeffrey Crawford, Regional Programme Development Officer, Sustainable Development Advisor, Bangkok, Thailand ([email protected])
- Latin America: Mr. Mikkel Broholt, International Consultant, Panama City, Panama ([email protected])
- Africa: Ms. Cecilia Lopez y Royo, Regional Environment Specialist, Nairobi, Kenya ([email protected])
Ms. Michelle Krogh, Programme Development Officer, HQ – Copenhagen, Denmark ([email protected])
Voluntary Commitments
The Sendai Framework Commitments (SFVC) online platform serves to incentivize stakeholders to inform the public about their work, to provide a vehicle for sharing commitments and initiatives and for motivation toward the implementation of the Sendai Framework. In turn, UNDRR can monitor and take stock of the progress and impact.
United Nations Office for Project Services is involved in the following commitments:
