United Nations in Afghanistan
Communication Group
Cooperation Framework
Status: 09 August 2012
I. Cooperation Framework (developed by the UNCG Retreat - 05 June 2012)
Reiterating the need for all United Nations agencies, funds and programmes -through the Country Team
mechanism and a “One-UN” approach under the guidance of the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral - to increase efforts, in full consultation and cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, to
achieve greater coherence, coordination, efficiency and full alignment with the National Priority Programmes
identified by the Government of Afghanistan, in January 2012, the UNCT called on the UNCG to narrow down
and elaborate a framework for how external communication should be coordinated between the offices of the
individual Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFPs), UNAMA, the SRSG and the RCO.
This framework attempts to identify issues that are of concern to more than one of the various entities of the
UN presence in Afghanistan. It lays out the processes and lines of communication to enable better coordination
in the management of sensitive issues and to guide entities in how to move forward in optional joint
communication activities around these issues. Such an issue based approach aims to support the coherence
process and allow UN entities to build on each others’ technical strengths and result in improved joint UN
messaging and products.
Following on from the completion of this framework document, the UNCG will develop shared communication
goals, on the basis of which a joint UN communication strategy will be developed.
II. Coordinated communication
Most issues on which the UN in Afghanistan communicates externally can be categorized into three areas of
“ownership”: SRSG, UNAMA or AFPs. However, there is an overlap in some areas, as illustrated in the Venn
diagram below.
In items 1 to 3 below, the UNCG has identified examples of issues that fall in these areas of overlap, and on
which coordination in external communication will be needed. These lists are not exhaustive, but indicative.
Decisions on leading and supporting entities will be taken on a case by case basis.
1. AFPs and SRSG
Topics: access, education, higher education,
Natural Resources Management/environment, counter-narcotics,
counter-terrorism, Maternal and Neonatal Health, health,
emergencies, corruption, governance, reconciliation, food
security and nutrition, sustainable livelihood, refugee,
returnees, IDPs, employment and decent work, culture,
infrastructure etc.
UNAMA
2. SRSG, UNAMA, AFPs
SRSG
1
2
3
UNCT
Topics: UN positioning and messaging, elections, gender,
human rights, protection of civilian, government, child rights,
peace and security, transition crisis response, risk, reputation management.
3. UNCT and UNAMA
UNCG Cooperation Framework
09 August 2012
United Nations in Afghanistan
Communication Group
Cooperation Framework
Status: 09 August 2012
Topics: coordination, reintegration capacity development, decentralization, Government, sub-national
governance and rule of law.
NB. The intersection between SRSG and UNAMA will not be illustrated here, as it is an internal DPKO
relationship and does not involve the coordination of other UN entities.
To support continued improvements in coordination, the UNCG will build on the above to create a full matrix of
issues that fall within the areas of overlap, and mapping these issues against each agency. This matrix will also
identify leading and contributing agencies for each of these issues.
III. Processes of reactive communication management on shared issues
1- Once an issue appears in the media or elsewhere that requires consideration, the communication section of
the agency that first becomes aware of the issue should immediately inform the most senior communication
officer or chief of communication each of the relevant agencies by telephone and/or email. The primary
contact for communication related issues is always the communication officer or the chief of
communication. The communication department immediately informs the Representative / Head of Agency
and any relevant programme staff. The Representative or Head of Agency will then inform the SRSG and/or
other relevant heads of agencies depending on the specifics of the case and issue.
2- An immediate consultation should then take place between the communication sections of relevant
agencies to agree on which agency is the lead agency for this issue. If it is immediately clear which agency is
in the lead, then the communication section and Representative of that agency are responsible for
informing and consulting other relevant agencies before making a decision on how to respond.
3- The communication section of the leading agency then recommends an appropriate response in
consultation with communication colleagues of relevant agencies. Considering this recommendation, the
Representative of the lead agency will then either make a decision on the response, or consult
Representatives of relevant agencies to come to a mutually agreed response. The lead agency
Representative may approach the office of the RC/HC for guidance. If the subject matter becomes political,
the Representative of the lead agency and the RC/HC may decide to consult the SRSG.
IV. Approvals and references to other agencies
a. No UN entity can use the name or content of another UN entity in their public communication materials
without the approval of that entity. Equally, no UN entity can produce materials that profile the work of another
UN entity without such an approval. Minor references acknowledging contributions of other agencies can be
made without such approval. In all other cases, decisions should be made in full and timely consultation.
b. All UN entities should contribute to a common UN-wide calendar of communication activities managed by
RCO and regularly shared through the UNCG mailing list to facilitate joint activities and to seek synergies and
better coordination.
c. Any public statements or press releases should be shared as far in advance as possible with the UNCG
mailing list before issuance for information and not for approval. The RCO office will then be responsible for
updating the SRSG and DSRSG offices, if and when appropriate.
UNCG Cooperation Framework
09 August 2012
United Nations in Afghanistan
Communication Group
Cooperation Framework
Status: 09 August 2012
d. When SCSU releases a press release, media advisory or statement on behalf of the whole UN, or individual
UN entities, these should be sent from a generic UN email address (such as uninafghanistannews@un.org).
e. When dealing with sensitive humanitarian issues, OCHA will take the lead and coordinate any response.
IV. UNCG Afghanistan
The UNCG will meet every two weeks. Fixed items on the agenda will be as follows:
1. Brief updates from all members on relevant communication issues, including media coverage
2. Communication calendar updates and relevant upcoming activities
3. Preparation of monthly report to UNCT
4. Identifying upcoming opportunities for joint communication
5. Sharing best practices and analyzing challenges and missed opportunities
The UNCG chair and co-chair elected every year in January and June on a rotational base for a period of 6
months.
UNCG Cooperation Framework
09 August 2012