DSSC
DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES CENTER
The Development Support Services Center (DSSC) was established by the UNDP Philippine Country Office primarily for the purpose of strengthening UNDP's operational support for Nationally executed (NEx) projects.
"National Execution (NEx)" is a programme implementation modality, subject to an assessment of the needs and capacities of the programme country. It stresses the importance of using national capacities to undertake programmes and projects. Under the National Execution (NEx) principle, the responsibility and accountability for the formulation, management and implementation of UNDP-supported programmes and projects rests on the designated Executing Agency in the programme's host country.
The UNDP-DSSC aims to facilitate the conversion of project inputs into project outputs, thereby resulting to timely achievement of outcomes of projects under the NEx modality. Through the availability of this support system, Executing Agencies are allowed to focus more on technical project aspects and management concerns, rather than on administrative matters.
Moreover, it also helps address the concerns of fast-tracking existing loan programmes in the short-run, and developing the long-term management of Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans in the long-run.
FACTORS AFFECTING IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation refers to the procurement and delivery of programme/project inputs and their conversion into programme/project outputs, in between which are various interventions aimed at facilitating the timely completion of the process and achievement of objectives.
In reality however, the cycle is also affected by factors that cause such delays as, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Internal factors. Human resources of some Executing Acgenices lack the proper capacity and accountability to implement projects, and are often restricted by limited time and attention to attend to project needs vis-a-vistheir regular mandated duties and responsibilities. Some are also beset with conflicting decisions between staff and management levels, or are faced with weak and fragmented oversight structure. Many are inhibited by aversion of risks and fear of legal consequences of some project-related decisions, specifically those that may impact their own career and privileges, among others.
(2) External factors. Executing Agencies, when undertaking project activities, may sometimes be forced by circumstance to face and resolve issues such as political factions among entities affected by the projects, court-issued temporary restraining order (TRO) on the project, congressional or senate hearings on suspicion of corrupt practices in aid of legislation, negative newspaper publicity against the project and the agency, unrelenting appeals and complaints, and other legal and administrative battles causing undue delays in project implementation, whether or not there is basis to do so, and regardless of the motives or credibility of the entities who initiated them.
Development Support Services Center: Areas of Support
The areas of support services served the DSSC, which were originally sole responsibilities of the Executing Agencies, are as follows:
1. Procurement of Goods
2. Comprehensive and high quality assistance to publicly-bidded supply
3. Sub-Contracting of Services in Various Fields of Expertise
4. Recruitment of Local Professionals and Other Project Personnel
5. Other Project-Related and Work Plan-Based Activities
On a request basis, UNDP-DSSC remains open to rendering other project-related and work-plan-based services, such as, comprehensive facilitation, coordination and liaison for arrangements between participants and hosts for local and international project-related trainings, fellowship, conferences and study visits.
Over time and growing experiences, the UNDP-DSSC envisions to expand its services and steer itself towards constantly improved practices and processes that are not only well integrated into the UNDP system but are also most responsive to the changing needs of its clients.
BENEFITS AND IMPACT OF UNDP-DSSC SERVICES
In the process of performing of its functions and delivering its Services, UNDP-DSSC constantly ensures the achievement of the following principles:
·Flexibility where bureaucracies are particularly rigid, tedious and complicated;
·Transparency, Neutrality and Fair Processes where perceptions of irregularities are unwanted;
·Complementing and Building Capacities of client Executing Agencies where time, human, and other resources are low; and
·Cost-Efficiency, Effective and High-Quality Output where deliveries and outputs are low.
ACCESS TO UNDP-DSSC SERVICES
A. For Executing Agencies
The UNDP-DSSC may serve any Executing Agency implementing projects satisfying the following basic conditions:
1. The nature of the programme/project is consistent with UNDP's 2002-2004 Country Cooperation Framework. That is, it falls under any of the following thematic areas:
· Enabling Environment: Poverty Alleviation through Good Governance
· Empowerment of the Poor: Focused Programmes in Support of Social Reforms and Sustainable Livelihoods
· Strengthening the Foundations of Lasting Peace and Development in Mindanao; and
· Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
2. The programme/project is under the NEx modality.
3. Letter of Agreement is signed by and between the Executing Agency and UNDP; and
4. An official request for DSSC-assistance has been communicated by the Executing Agency to DSSC.
The need for an official request as a primary basis for the delivery of UNDP-DSSC services ensures that the presence and availability of the UNDP-DSSC is not a compulsary responsibility of the Executing Agencies, but rather a voluntary tool that they may access whenever deemed necessary.
B. For Suppliers, Consultants and Providers of Services
In line with the delivery of support services to development projects, UNDP-DSSC Services is therefore regularly undertaking local and international contracting of consultants in various fields of expertise, as well as selection of suppliers of good/equipment, among others.
Individual and corporate consultants, suppliers of goods/equipment and all other providers of services in various fields, whether private or non-government, who are interested to participate and UNDP-DSSC activities may apply for accreditation through either of the following means:
1. Registration at DSSC's on-line database (click on the DSSC Database button below). Shortlists are electronically-generated from the said database, using various parameters as a guide (e.g., by country of experience, field of expertise, etc.), hence, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions as conscientiously as possible; or
2. Submission of Credentials by courier to the UNDP-DSSC Office, the details of which are posted in the Procurement Notice button below.
· DSSC Jobs Announcements
· DSSC Procurement Notices
· DSSC Online Database for Consultants,Consultancy Firms, and Suppliers
In compliance with UNDP information disclosure policy, you may
view the previous and ongoing contracts awarded by UNDP by clicking here
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