13 June 2014: The UN Development Programme has reported on an ongoing restructuring process, which it says aims to produce “a leaner organization, eliminating areas of duplication and relocating more staff to the regional level.” As part of the changes, UNDP’s policy and programme support will merge into a single bureau to make the Programme “more streamlined and focused in shaping and implementing the post-2015 development agenda” in its core areas of poverty, governance and resilience.

According to UNDP, it will reverse its current ratio of 60% headquarter staff and 40% regional staff to 40% headquarter staff and 60% regional staff, reducing overall staff by approximately 10%, with fewer senior positions and more entry and middle-management level posts. Among other changes announced, UNDP will establish a Crisis Response Unit to deploy expert staff as crises develop.

In 2013, UNDP’s Executive Board approved its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, titled ‘Changing with the World,’ which sets out a vision for helping countries eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion within one generation. In a discussion with the UNDP Board in September 2013, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark emphasized that the Plan “signals UNDP’s determination to become more focused, results-driven, effective and efficient.” [UNDP Press Release] [Publication: UNDP Strategic Plan] [IISD RS Story on Strategic Plan]