The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is a core instrument for providing a coherent, strategic direction for UN development activities by all UN entities at country level. This self-paced online course jointly designed by the UN Development Coordination Office and the UN System Staff College equips participants with a thorough understanding of the application of the 2019 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Guidance.

Introduction

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is a core instrument for providing a coherent, strategic direction for UN development activities by all UN entities at country level. It guides the UN system in planning and implementing UN development activities at country level, as well as in mobilizing a spectrum of development partners beyond the United Nations.

The 2019 UNSDCF Guidance provides a direction for strategic planning, funding, implementation, monitoring, learning, reporting and evaluation, all of which are undertaken by the UN development system with the host government and partners. For UN Country Teams to provide coherent and effective support to countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda, UN staff at global, regional, and country levels need to be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the UNSDCF Guidance.

This self-paced online course is jointly designed by the UN Development Coordination Office and the UN System Staff College to equip participants with an in-depth understanding of the UNSDCF as a centerpiece of UN development system reform. It will enable reflection on how to clearly articulate the UN development system’s collective response to support countries in their pathways towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Embodying the spirit of partnerships that are at the core of the 2030 Agenda, it aims to help turn our collective promise to leave no one behind into tangible action for people on the ground.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the requirements of the UNSDCF as the most important planning and implementation instrument for UN development activities within countries.
• Articulate the new elements of the UNSDCF.

Course methodology

The UNSDCF online course is hosted on the UNSSC platform. It comprises of the following:

• Five interactive self-paced modules, detailing key stages of the design and implementation of the UNSDCF
• An individual reflection exercise
• A graded final assessment

Course contents

• Lesson 1: Setting the Stage
• Lesson 2: Planning, Roadmap, and Common Country Analysis (CCA)
• Lesson 3: UNSDCF Design and Development
• Lesson 4: Preparing for Implementation: UNCT Configuration, UNSDCF Signature, Funding Framework
• Lesson 5: Implementation, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation

Target audience

The UNSDCF online course is open to both UN and non-UN audiences

Cost of participation

Free of charge