Accountability to Affected Populations
UNICEF Interdivisional Working Group
Quarterly meeting
21 November 2013
Participants: EMOPS / PD / EO Apologies: DHR
1. Review of IASC subsidiary bodies and transition into AAP /PSEA Task Team (EMOPS GVA)
Background:
The merger of the AAP and PSEA workstreams was a result of the review of the IASC subsidiary
bodies, which established a task team for each new IASC priority. Under this new structure, AAP and
PSEA have been merged into one task team. EMOPS GVA provided information from the AAP-PSEA
interagency retreat:
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The merger of the two areas was done because there were overlap in common areas. The
merger should be seen as a partnership.
There is one common AAP/PSEA interagency work plan with two parallel groups/task teams
and a co-chair. However it was noted that even these will be merged over the coming
months. AAP will need to ‘catch up’ to work in PSEA (the example of the more established
PSEA framework was mentioned).
At the retreat, UNICEF was asked to share which of the workplan priorities it would like to
focus on.
An interagency AAP operational framework is now available. This document is not a
guidance note or a policy document, it stands in the middle. For now it should only be seen
as guidance that may be developed into an appropriate protocol.
What this means for UNICEF:
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This has implications for UNICEF. Where else would PSEA ‘live’, if not in with AAP?
The member for the ethics department suggested that PSEA cannot be part of the ethics
department as there is a conflict of interest.
Bintou, the current PSEA co-chair on behalf of UNICEF lead who will be stepping down. She
will need to be replaced, does UNICEF wish to continue as co-chair?
There needs to be an institutional home and a place to integrate PSEA. Should the UNICEF
structures reflect the IASC structures?
It was agreed to do an initial mapping of what other agencies are doing in PSEA/AAP and
identify learning opportunities.
A PSEA video showing the heads of UN agencies stating their commitments to AAP/PSEA is
available and will be circulated with interdivisional WG members . Need a plan for
distribution, it was discussed whether or not to hold a high level UNICEF event as a
statement of commitment on PSEA and AAP.
Another issue which was brought to the table was whether or not to activate AAP/PSEA
focal points. It was clear that there needs to be a corporate strategy of engagement on
PSEA.
It was also followed on that more consensus must be built on UNICEF’s definition of AAP.
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EMOPS members of the WG will open an AAP space on the intranet where all relevant
documentation will be uploaded.
Two other ongoing processes were highlighted for the WGs consideration:
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The consultation on NGO certification
Joint Standards Initiative.
2. Internal workstreams – AAP report, operationalizing AAP/PSEA workplan, corporate
learning plan (EMOPS NY)
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It was agreed that more consensus must be built on UNICEF’s definition of AAP and more
opportunities for operationalization should be identified.
PSEA / CWC pilots are ongoing in Ethiopia, DRC Haiti, perhaps UNICEF can join
AAP learning opportunities exists at interagency level, UNICEF has been invited to join.
A group member inquired as to what the role of the government was with the CAAPs, should
they hold the primary responsibility as duty bearers and UN agencies support this work? An
example of this was the Communication with Communities (CwC) in Haiti where the
Government is co-lead of the programme.
Corporate learning plan:
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This was seen as an area for urgent immediate action. PD and EMOPS to urgently work on
operationalization of the commitments, as recommended by the self –assessment.
Knowledge management around AAP has to be systematic, bottom-up but complemented
with high-level buy-n.
Given UNICEF’s important as a leading humanitarian actor, UNICEF’s voice on AAP should be
clearly identifiable.
Lastly, it was decided to change the name of the interdivisional task force to interdivisional
working group in order to avoid confusion with the wider IASC AAP/PSEA Task Team
3. AAP in the Haiyan typhoon response
 For the first time, an interagency AAP advisor has been deployed to the Philippines to capture
good practices and identify where additional support is needed. OCHA is committed to lead
on Communicating with Communities.
 EMOPS has deployed a dedicated staff to Manila to support AAP in the response (G. Lewis)
 There are regular operational calls with the Philippines and AAP comes up often. Dedicated
guidance has been shared with UNICEf teams and a statement of accountability made by the
IASC principals.
4. A.O.B
Communications:
 Due to the emphasis on communicating with communities it was suggested to include the
division of communication/C4D in the next interdivisional working group meetings.
 It was suggested to explore the possibility of including reference to AAP in the campaign
‘ending violence’
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Develop key messages for use during the AAP engagement campaign – both internal and
external to UNICEF
Action points:
EMOPS:
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Identify learning opportunities, pilots
Create virtual resource center on intranet
Confirm UNICEF commitments against AAP/PSEA workplan (DONE)
Invite C4D team for further discussions of AAP
EMOPS /PD:
 Develop concrete ‘operationalization’ plan, discuss minimum standards
EMOPS/DHR:
 Transitional planning for PSEA structures, chairmanship
 Video dissemination plan PSEA
 Focal points PSEA/AAP – propose way forward
Next proposed quarterly meeting:
January 20th, 2014 (TBC)