Challenges of Executing Projects in The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) (2003 - 2013)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the state of project execution, its major challenges and trends of extra-budgetary resources for the periods 2003-2013 at UNECA. Further, it emphasizes on the impact of motivation on delivering quality outputs and provides alternative recommendations to the identified problems. Although ECA recognizes the importance of focusing attention on Africa’s special needs, its regular budgets are getting reduced from time to time and the contribution from its member States is not adequate to address the numerous problems which confront the continent. Among these problems or issues of high consideration include: “Climate Change” “Knowledge Sharing”, “Development of ICT” and so forth, which are hot issues that need adequate resources (i.e. Human and Financial Resources). Hence, ECA is striving to strengthen the relationship with development partners in its attempt to address the above-mentioned issues through effective Project Executions. The selected methodology tries to answer the basic questions pertaining to the challenges of project execution, and ways in which problems can be alleviated were sought in the study. A descriptive survey method of research and purposive sampling technique were used in the survey. The participants of the study were 46 staff members who are directly involved in the project management and its process. The data was collected through open and closed–ended questions. In addition, interviews were conducted with some key informants, who are senior staffs with higher-educational levels and have been in the service for longer periods. Coordinators of projects and Project Management Officers in the Office of Partnership (OP) were also part of the study. The data was analyzed; interpreted and reported using frequency distribution, percentage and mean scores supplemented with tables and charts. Findings of the study indicated some of the major factors that contribute to the challenges: Lack of consistency in processing and approving project documents, lack of early and proper planning of projects, absence of project Progress Report (PPR) at each phase, lack of strict adherence to the ECA Project Management Manual and lack of motivational factors for staff, are cited in this respect.