Renovation of Upper Nile University and University of Juba Cultural Centre Project Number: 00115727 May-December 2019
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Renovation of Upper Nile University and University of Juba Cultural Centre Project Number: 00115727 May-December 2019 Breaking the ground for renovation of Upper Nile University campus in Malakal (29 June, UNDP) i Country: South Sudan Project Summary Project Dura�on: 01 May 2019 – 31 December 2020 Project Budget: US$ 3,074,722.92 Annual Budget: US$ 2,979,750.92 Annual Budget Cumula�ve Donor in USD Expenditures Japan 2,979,750.92 2,059,671.81 TOTAL 2,979,750.92 2,059,671.81 Cumulative expenditure: US$ 2,059,671.81 Contact Persons: Kamil Kamaluddeen Resident Representa�ve Tel. +211 920 220 222 Email: [email protected] Jose Manzano Senior Programme Advisor Tel. +211 920 799 733 [email protected] Daniel Kir Team Leader Tel. +211 926 828 896 [email protected] Responsible Par�es: Ministry of Higher Educa�on, Science and Techonolgy; Upper Nile University; University of Juba ii Table of Contents Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................. 5 2. Progress towards development results .............................................................................................. 8 2.1 Progress towards Project Outputs........................................................................................................ 8 Human Interest Story ................................................................................................................................................. 10 2.2 Cross Cutting Issues .............................................................................................................................. 11 3.1 Gender Results ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.2 Partnerships .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.6 Strengthening national capacity .................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Monitoring and evaluation ................................................................................................................. 12 2.4 Risk Management: ................................................................................................................................. 13 2.5 Challenges ............................................................................................................................................... 13 2.6 Good Practice and Lessons Learned: ................................................................................................ 14 2.7 Conclusion: .............................................................................................................................................. 14 2.8 Financial Summary: ............................................................................................................................... 15 iii Acronyms AWP Annual Work Plan CPD Country Programme Document GoSS Government of South Sudan HDIGU Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit IDP Internally Displaced Person M&E Monitoring and Evalua�on PaCC Peace and Community Cohesion PMSU Partnership and Management Support Unit UN United Na�ons UNCT United Na�ons Country Team UNDP United Na�ons Development Programme UNMISS United Na�ons Mission in South Sudan YEEP Youth Employment and Empowerment through Private Sector and Value Chain Development Project 4 2.1 Executive Summary Renovation of the Upper Nile University and the Cultural Centre at the Unversity of Juba is an 18 months (May 2019- December 2020) project implemented by UNDP and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, with the support of the Government of Japan. The project supports the re-establishment and improvement of higher education institutions that can effectively serve the nation’s youth and thus contribute to sustainable development and durable peace. The project is is aligned to the South Sudan National Development Strategy (2018-21) “Consolidate peace and stabilize the economy” under the education sector, United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) Outcomes 3) Strengthening social services and 4) empowering women and youth. The project is also aligned to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Strategic Plan of 2019-2021 outcome 2 “Advance poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions” as well as the UNDP Country Programme Document 2019-2021 Pillar II: ‘Inclusive and risk-informed economic development’, Output 2.1 “Increased access to emergency assistance, alternative livelihood and employment opportunities for families in conflict and disaster-prone communities”. During the reporting period (1 May 2019-- December 2019), the following key achievements were realized; • Improved dormitory and learning facilities at Upper Nile University: eight accommodation blocks (two for females with capacity for 224 females and six blocks for males with capacity for 480 men) are at 50 percent completion. • Created employment opportunities for the local community: 340 people (15 female) were engaged to provide labour during construction for a combined 312,800 hours. • Created opportunities for small-scale businesses for women: Four entreprenuers (3 females) have established businesses to serve tea and snacks to construction workers. • Enhanced research capacity and cultural enrichment: Cultural Centre at the University of Juba constructed to serve as a research space providing library services, training and cultural enrichment and was equipped with computers and furtniture. Challenges faced during the implementation period; During the reporting period, the project faced challenges that are mainly external to the project and which slowed the pace of implementation of activities. The following are the major challenges encountered and actions taken: • High level of taxes levied on goods and materials delayed contractors who had to wait as it is cheaper to to import in bulk. UNDP and the Ministry of Higher Education engaged state authorities to ensure tax waivers are provided for said materials. • Limited progress in implementation, particularly Lot Three (rehabilitation of 14 buildings which are additional male student and lecturers accommodation) where only demolition and clearance works and with no substantive building and renovation works were registered. This was due to delays in transportation of much needed material that aids the rehabilitation works. UNDP is in constant contact with the contracted company to understand the reasons for the delay and provide support in expediting the said works. • The security situation in Central Upper Nile state remained fragile. This affected the movement and security of people and goods, and subsequently impacted on progress in project implementation. The supplies from Juba would take long to reach Upper Nile as 5 along the road, there was need to seek seek authorization from rebel groups to allow passage of the trucks in the areas not controlled by Government. Lessons Learned; • Partnership: The engagement of the Government and host institutions guarantee the sustainability of the project as the administration and use of facilities for educational learning will be handed over to them. Moreover, the close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology enabled the project to address challenges on an ongoing basis. Example of such include on the issue of high taxes in the importation of building materials. • Local Engagement: The use of local skilled and unskilled workers has benefited the local communities and the local economy as there is disposable household income for the workers employed in the renovation of the univeristies in both Malakal and Juba. Budget Performance The total cumulative programme expenditure for 2019 was US$ 2,059,671.81, representing 69.12% percent delivery of the total annual budget of US$ 2,979,750.92. The remaining balance has been carried over to 2020 to cover existing commitments and obligations. 6 1. Situation Background South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, becoming the world’s youngest country, following a long and protracted civil war. Since gaining independence, two significant conflicts broke out in December 2013 and July 2016. These conflicts resulted in huge infrastructural damage (including public structures like universities and schools), disruption of community social structures and livelihooods, massive displacement of over 4 million people leading to loss of skilled human resources including lecturers and university staff, and blocked human resources capital building which has made it difficult for the country to rebuild. The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of September 2018 brought renewed impetus towards stabilizing the fragile situation in the country. Nevertheless, South Sudan continues to face immense political, institutional, socioeconomic challenges including the exclusion of women, youth, minorities and other special interest groups in peacebuilding initiatives and nation-building. R-ARCSS provides the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) with a robust mandate to implement