Renovation of Upper Nile University and University of Cultural Centre Project Number: 00115727 May-December 2019

Breaking the ground for renovation of Upper Nile University campus in

(29 June, UNDP)

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Country: South 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;

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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

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Acronyms

AWP Annual Work Plan CPD Country Programme Document GoSS Government of 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

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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

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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.

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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 the agreement with the promise of no return to war; to reintegrate refugees and IDPs into their homes; to undertake legal and institutional reforms; and to develop national security architecture. It also offers special consideration to conflict-affected persons (children, orphans, women, people with special needs, etc.), in the public services delivery, including access to education services.. It is within this context of positive momentum and optimism that the project aims to play a catalytic role in supporting key higher education institutions such as Upper Nile University and University of Juba, to play a transformative role in the lives of the South Sudanese youth and allowing them to play a more prominent role in the consolidation of peace and nation-building.

The most important challenge to higher is the vicious circle of violence and insecurity in the country . Four of the five public universities are located in high conflict states, namely University (Lakes), University of Barh El Gazal (Western Bahr El Gazal), Dr John Garand University Jonglei as well as Upper Nile University (Upper Nile). As a result, many highly skilled loal and international university teaching staff have left these universities and returned to their countries, or sought jobs with international organisation such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Because of insecurity and frequent disruption of learning affecting the academic cycles, many students also left the country for studies in unvieristies in the regions such as Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, or Sudan. The renovation of the Upper Nile University and the University of Juba Cultural Centre are intended to operationalize the R-ARCSS support the re-establishment and improvement in the delivery of higher education that can effectively serve the youth and push forward the national interest of the country. The project aims at improving key facilities for higher education in Malakal and Juba.

Rehabilitation of the University of Upper Nile; an effort to enhance the delivery of higher education, is set to attract the return and enrolment of an estimated 2,000 UNU students to the main campus to pursue higher learning.

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2. Progress towards development results 2.1 Progress towards Project Outputs Programme Output 1: Upper Nile University and Juba University are renovated to advance durable peace and sustainable development Summary achievement against 2019 AWP target Indicator Indicator Target Summary achievement Status (2020) 1.1 Number of faculties 4 Non of the Faculties is re- Ongoing of Upper Nile established as University ready for reconstruction of 29 (15 teaching (Bsesline; 0) are almost complete) structures (classrooms, main halls, accommodation facilities, and administration buildings) to be used by the four faculties are ongoing 1.2 Number of 2,000 No students have been Ongoing1 students that Upper enrolled nor relocated as Nile University is able reconstruction is to enroll in Malakal (Baseline; 0) underway. However, the classroom/hall will be able to accommodate up to 65 students 1.3 Number of Cultural 1 one Cultural Centre Achieved Centres for training rehabilitated at University programmes and of Juba cultural enrichment at Juba University, (Baseline: 0). Overall status Ongoing

Indicator 1.1 Number of faculties of Upper Nile University ready for teaching The rehabilitation of Upper Nile University (UNU) commenced in June 2019 with four (4) faculties (human development, economics, public health and education) are under renovation to increase the UNU’s intake capacity and improve learning conditions for the would be returning student. The first and second lots comprised of 15 rehabilitated structures (Administration Building, Lecture Halls, Laboratories, staff offices, ladies’accomodation, library, clinic, cafeteria and toilets) are expected to be completed by March 2020 while Lot three (3 ) which is renovating 14 structures (including washrooms, staff accommodation, student accommodation, cafeteria, teachers’ accomodation and toilets) is expected to be completed by April 2020. The renovation of Upper Nile University will help ease congestion (UNU is temporarily operating from University of Juba and over 2000 students are currently learning from there) at University of Juba and is already contributing to the economic and social revitalization of Malakal town through the jobs being created in the construction sector,

1 The relocation of the students is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and the University of Upper Nile.

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opportunities for business activities generated, and social cohesion among the population around the university premises.

Procurement process for the furniture and equipment (student desks, tables, bunk beds(with mattresses and blankets), generators, solar system, water and sewage trucks) started in earnest towards the end of the year, so that they are ready for installation, in time for completion of the building thereby making the institution ready for learning.

Indicator 1.2 Number of students that Upper Nile University is able to enroll in Malakal None of the students has been enrolled as yet because the renovation of the university learning classes, office and accommodation block is not yet completed. The UNU has already started the sensitization process for the enrolment of potential and existing students and recalling and recruitment of staff to the main Malakal campus of Upper Nile University. The renovation completion of 29 building to house the 4 faculties, and staff and teacher critical structures is vital in encouraging and facilitating the enrolment of students.

The project team will monitor the progress of enrolment to ascertain whether the renovated facilities are sufficient and serve their purpose. The rehabilitation of Upper Nile University and completion of corresponding 29 (4 faculties) critical structures are vital in encouraging and facilitating the enrolment of students.

Indicator 1.3 Number of Cultural Centers for training programmes and cultural enrichment at Juba University.

UNDP constructed the Japanese Cultural Centre at the University of Juba and equipped it with the latest desktop computers (20 units), One multi-purpose printer, one flat screen projector, bookshelves, server and internet connectivity. The Japan Cultural Centre was inaugurated and handed over to University of Juba administration on 12 December 2019 –ahead of the scheduled completion date in 2020. The centre, which now is fully operational, serves as a hub for mutual cultural enrichment and academic learning between Inauguration of the Japanese Cultural Centre at the South Sudan and Japan, providing library services and University of Juba, Juba (December 2019, UNDP) materials to support training programmes to students and promoting cultural enrichment.

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Human Interest Story

A positive spill over of the restoration of the Upper Nile University campus in Malakal is the emergence of small business opportunities like Awut's tea stall.

Under an Acacia tree, a group of construction workers and engineers, crowd around a stall while they wait for their lunch and piping cup of Kerkede tea, a local drink made from Hibiscus flowers.

Awut Lual originally from Bor moved to Malakal after her traditional marriage ceremony. She took opportunity to start a business when the Upper Nile University's Malakal campus renovation started in June 2019. "The idea to start serving lunch and tea came up when I used to bring food for my husband who is working in the reconstruction of the university. As the access to refreshments was limited then, I saw the opportunity and took advantage of it," Awut shared.

In the true entrepreneurial spirit, the 38-year-old mother of seven makes a living out of this small yet effective business set up. The additional income she generates helps in meeting her family’s basic needs, including her children's school fees. On how much she earns through the stall, she says, "I make approximately SSP 6,000-10,000 (USD 50-70) a week. With this income she provides three meals a day for her family, school uniforms, exercise books, pens and other basic educational and family needs. Almost all the workers in the university visit her stall for breakfast and lunch."

Prior to the conflict, Malakal was once a busy city with a fully functional university and bustling businesses. Today, the town is quiet and different. But women like Awut are refusing to give up and are determined to build back the city to what it was before the war. On her future plans, she says, "I plan to grow my business by saving up to start a cafeteria when the university is reopened. This way, I can provide refreshments at a nominal cost to students and faculty every day."

Creating a ripple effect, Awut's active participation in business has encouraged two other women to start similar tea stalls across the campus.

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2.2 Cross Cutting Issues

3.1 Gender Results

Gender results Evidence Gender result 1: Increased access to emergency assistance, Evidence 1: alternative livelihood and employment opportunities for Project progress report- Construction families in conflict and disaster-prone communities. Engineer’s monthly briefings - 340 persons (5% women) engaged in gainful employment during the rehabilitation and construction of UNU. Gender result 2: Enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities for Evidence 1: women Project progress report- Construction - Four women lead businesses providing refreshments to Engineer’s monthly briefings construction workers established .

3.2 Partnerships

• Collaboration with Projects within UNDP: The project has collaborated with the Youth Empowerment and Employment Project (YEEP) and used synergies and lessons to replicate the emergency employment initiative and create jobs at Upper Nile University reconstruction site in Malakal. The contractor was encouraged to make use of local human resources for conducting the work. • Collaboration with Other UN Agencies: The project has collaborated with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to provide oversight of works in Malakal and will continue to look for more opportunities for collaboration with other UN agencies. • Government: UNDP works closely with the Government of South Sudan (GoSS). Technical officials from Government and UNDP engineer have worked together from project initiation and during implementation through joint field monitoring visits. When UNDP staff are on leave from the work site, Government officials (engineers) are called upon to stand in for the UNDP engineer and keep the work going uninterrupted while also providing quality assurance. Similarly, the project directly engages with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and the Universities of Juba and Upper Nile through regular meetings to keep the partners abreast with progress of the project and through joint planning meetings. Close collaboration with local authorities such as the state government and municipal authorities has been very useful in resolving local tax hurdles.

3.3 Environmental considerations

The construction and rehabilitation work underwent environmental impact assessments to minimize damage to the environment. The project ensured that no existing trees were cut during the implementation. Most construction wastes like cement bags were collected and disposed of by contractors away from site to designated disposal points.

3.4. Sustainability

The devastating civil war of 2013 left the UNU in a state of ruin and unable to effectively sustain future learning. This project which is implemented closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and the UNU transition towards the UNU taking on the operation of the rehabilitated faculties and

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structures. As indicated, the technical/engineering teams from UNDP, the Ministry, and the university provide joint monitoring and supervision over the project ensuring that the UNU is fully engaged with all the features that have been instituted in the course of rehabilitation work. The UNU’s operation of the rehabilitated structures (and the entire university) will be funded through the annual national budget, the income derived from matriculation from regular private students, as well as, other internal resource generation activities.

3.5 South to South Triangular Cooperation

The project tapped on the UNDP's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People to integrate their practical experience in building rehabilitation during the engineering design phase of the project. An engineer (housing social infrastructure) involved in a similar project was also tapped to be part of the engineering assessment of Upper Nile University. This south-south cooperation was crucial in diagnosing the needs of the university (teachers and student) and was the basis upon which the project was approved.

3.6 Strengthening national capacity

Results achieved Institution National capacity strengthened 1) Renovation of Upper Nile Ministry of Higher Renovated Upper Nile University Education, Science and University structures enhances Technology, Upper Nile the capacity to provide a University conducive learning environment 2) Renovation of the Japanese Ministry of Higher University of Juba can enhance Cultural Centre Education, Science and its capacity for learning and Technology, University cultural enrichment of Juba

2.3 Monitoring and evaluation

Key M&E activities conducted during the quarter:

Key M&E activity Key outcomes/observations Recommendation Action taken (monitoring visit, evaluation, review exercise) Ground-breaking The onset of rains presents a Maintain constant Ddeployment of mission( June challenge with regards to contact with project engineer, 2019) mobilization of reconstruction contractors on site driver, and material which may alter and state vehicle based in project completion timelines. government on the Malakal With no personnel and vehicle progress of deployed to Malakal, frequent reconstruction work access to the site and and escalate consultations with state and challenges and university officials is not deviations that may arise.

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guaranteed especially during rainy season.

Field Monitoring Reported good progress for Determine cause of Initiated high- visit by Lot-1, on-track results for Lot-2 delay in Lot 3 level discussion government and delayed progress for Lot-3 with lot-3 engineers in contractor to August 2019 speed up work to finish within agreed timeline Field Monitoring Reported good progress made Accelerate works on Held meetings Visit (Sept 2019) by Lot 1 and Lot 2 site to complete with contractors companies. However, Lot 3 within agreed to ensure agreed company was lagging timelines. workplans and timelines are adhered to.

2.4 Risk Management:

Risks Mitigation Measures Political: Political and ethnical polarization The project has ensured that staff subscribes escalates and spills-over to the locations where to UN protocols and engaged UNMISS for the project operates provision of security for staff implementing activities in line with the UN programme criticality framework. Externally, the project continues to actively engage with government and state officials for early warning and security. Operational: Lack of national and state level Continue active engagement with Ministry of ownership of the project Higher Education, state officials and management of UNU during the initiation and implementation phases.

2.5 Challenges

• High level of taxes and transportation challenges due to the limited infrastructure of the country delayed contractors in the procurement and delivery of tools and materials. As many materials are not available in country, contractors must import the inputs needed. Moreover, the unauthorized taxations when transporting goods through the river reached up to 95 percent of the total cost of materials. The situation became untenable for the contractors and UNDP with the Ministry for Higher Education had to intervene and liaise with different groups and local administrative units to facilitate tax-free movement of 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

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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 along the road, there was need for seeking permission from opposition to ferry materials past the non- government-controlled areas. At the construction site, security was provided by the State Government after a request from UNDP.

2.6 Good Practice and Lessons Learned:

• Collaboration with project stakeholders, notably the state government, has been crucial in accelerating reconstruction works at Upper Nile University through waiving of tax for the construction material. It also facilitated the resolution of operational challenges encountered in project implementation. • Technical capacity domiciled within government has contributed positively to the project right from the beginning. Participation of technical government officials in the assessment and field monitoring exercise provide impetus and show ownership. • 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 the Government. Moreover, the close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology facilitated the resolution of challenges such as the high taxes and inaccessibility encountered in project implementation. • Local Engagement: The use of local skilled and unskilled workers has benefited n the local communities and the local economy as there is disposable household income from the workers employed in the renovation of the universities in both Malakal and Juba?.

2.7 Conclusion:

The project is well-positioned and ontrack in completing the work within the indicated timeframe. It is currently at 60 percent completion by end December 2019 and should have all buildings rehabilitated by April 2020 barring any untoward incident. Upon completion of rehabilitation works, the project will be able to accommodate the relocation of students to the main Malakal campus. For the renovation of the cultural centre at the Univeristy of Juba, its completion ahead of schedule has allowed the project to provide research and cultural enrichment activities to students.

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2.8 Financial Summary:

Current Annual Expenditures at % Expenditure Budget (US$) 31 December

2019 (May - Dec 2019) Outputs / Activity Result

A C C/A*100 Activity Result 1 UNU Malakal Campus 2,551,058.00 1,840,140.22 72.13% Renovated Activity Result 2 Juba University 127,193. 00 171,163.89 134.57% Culture Centre Renovated Activity Result 3 Project Management 301,500.00 48,367.70 16.04% Output 1 Sub-total 2,979,751.00 2,059,671.81 69.122%

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