The 2020 MOPAN assessment of UNOPS is the first of this organisation, with the assessment covering the period 2017-2020. UNOPS is unique in the UN system in many ways, particularly through its non-programmatic, self-financed business model and its mandate to be a central resource in the UN system for procurement and infrastructure, including for relevant capacity development activities. As a service provider UNOPS implements projects on behalf of others, supporting partners’ efforts and goals. Focusing on the value it provides to partners, UNOPS articulates its ‘value proposition’ through three contribution goals and four management goals. UNOPS has developed strong metrics and business intelligence to monitor demand for delivery of its services.
Effectiveness of delivery in UNOPS is supported by application of systematic management approaches and UNOPS is certified and regularly assessed and accredited by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). UNOPS’ business model is demand driven and firmly project-based and not linked to a programmatic mandate. This enables UNOPS to work with a variety of partners in many sectors and countries, including in some of the world’s most challenging contexts. Working for a fee, UNOPS does not receive any assessed or voluntary contributions. Because of its demand driven and self-financing business model, UNOPS, more than any other UN agency, needs to prove its value and effectiveness, and demonstrate its comparative and collaborative advantages, which it does based on detailed analysis of context, partner agencies and alternative providers of services. UNOPS derives several advantages and strengths from its unique business model. However, whilst they contribute to its performance, these also present some inherent trade-offs that UNOPS must consider.
