Project Structure

Funding, Implementation and Execution Arrangements

This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the project's Implementing Agent. The project is being executed using a Multiple Execution (MEX) modality, which entails the establishment of a global "main" project whose execution is managed by the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS). Under the global "main" project, seven individual National Execution (NEX) "sub" projects have been established, for which oversight management services are provided by the UNDP Country Offices in each of the respective countries (with the exception of the Tanzania component that figures under the global "main" component).

In addition, under the terms of the Executing Agency Agreement between UNDP and the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO manages an eighth sub-project and provides financial oversight management services for the funds associated with the project activities to be carried out by the organization.

This unique execution modality has been arranged in order to promote the enhanced sustainability of project outcomes through an increased sense of national ownership and commitment to the environmental protection and inherent development objectives of the project. It is also expected to promote enhanced integration and synergy with existing national programs through greater use of appropriate national systems and procedures.

Management Arrangements and Stakeholder Involvement

The project is structured so as to allow stakeholder involvement at many levels. Full project implementation is being carried out under the guidance of a Global Project Steering Committee (GPSC) whose members include one representative from each of the following: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), a senior level official designated by each of the project participating governments, one representative each from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international NGO Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), as well as other major donors and partners.

In each participating country, a National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) is responsible for the oversight of national project activities. Typically, the NPSC includes a designated senior representative from the government's health and environment ministries and from the ministry in which the GEF Operational Focal Point is located, a representative or a liaison from the authority responsible for Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan (NIP) preparations and from the authority responsible for Basel Convention implementation. The NPSC also includes representation from the national healthcare sector, the country WHO and UNDP offices, as well as one or more appropriate representative from national NGOs with demonstrated concern and activity in matters associated with healthcare waste management.

At the national level, broad stakeholder participation also takes place through the National Working Group (NWG), which is composed of individuals from appropriate ministries, agencies and stakeholder groups who have practical involvement or interest in day-to-day project activities. The NWG may include representatives from UNDP country offices, WHO country offices, health, environment and other appropriate ministries, NGOs, training institutions, healthcare facilities, medical and municipal waste service providers, and healthcare-related associations. The NWG advises the NPSC and assists the national project staff by providing expertise and advice on project-related policy, economic, scientific and technical issues and by assisting in networking.

The Global Project Team (GPT) provides technical and policy expertise and has joint responsibility to assure that project activities are successfully implemented. The GPT oversees global coordination and management under the day-to-day guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). The CTA has overall responsibility for project implementation assisted by a Global Project Coordinator/Technical Advisor, the WHO and HCWH Advisors, a Senior Policy Advisor, a Technology Development Expert from the University of Dar Es Salaam, a Training Program Advisor from the University of Illinois School of Public Health Great Lakes Center and other GPT members.

Learn more about the project's goal and objectives, partners, methodology, and expected benefits, or the project's work in Argentina, India, Latvia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania and Vietnam.