Factors affecting the performance of projects in Hargeisa Somaliland: a case study of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
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Date
2014-08-27
Authors
Hussein, Fowzia Ibrahim
Journal Title
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Abstract
The United Nations development Programme, (UNDP) is the UN's global development
network working in 177 countries, advocating for change and connecting countries to
share knowledge, experience and resources to help their citizens build a better life. In
Somaliland, UNDP supports three main thematic programs - The Itule of Law and
Democratic Governance, Poverty reduction and Environmental Protection, HIV and Aids.
Under each programme there are a number of projects. The UNDP is among the various
international and humanitarian actors that have expressed interest of venturing into
Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia that is not recognized by the international
community as a sovereign nation. The UNDP has been carrying out various projects to
ameliorate the livelihoods of the people in Somaliland. Despite the voluminous articles,
studies and publications written about the war torn and hunger-stricken region of horn of
Africa, none of them has focused on this "relatively peaceful part of Somalia. More
significantly, no study has investigated the factors affecting the performance of UNDP
projects in Sornaliland creating a knowled~e gap. The general objective of the study was
to investigate the factors affecting the performance of projects in Hargeisa, Somaliland: a
case study of the United _Nations Development Program (UNDP) projects. This study
used a descriptive research design. The target respondents included the 65 staff members
working in the UNDP offices in Somaliland as well as the 55 management team in the
Ministry of Planning of Somaliland. Others respondents included the 100 stakeholders
and beneficiaries of the UNDP projects in the Hargeisa Region of Somaliland. A sample
of 20% (44 respondents) was selected using stratified random sampling. The study used a
survey questionnaire administered to each member of the sampled respondent 'The
researcher administered the questionnaire individually of all the respondents of the study.
Quantitative data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and presented
through pie charts, graphs and table. The information was displayed by use of tables, bar
charts, graphs and pie charts and in prose-form. Tables and other graphical presentations
as appropriate were used to present the data collected for ease of understanding and
analysis. The study recommends that the concerned stakeholders should ensure that the
various aspects of bud Y~g are well focused to enhance project success in Somaliland.
This would involve looking at various aspects of budgeting such as prices and costs due
to inflation, availability of resources within the area or within the time, cost constraints in
project implementation, disbursement of cost forecast, work packages such as labor rates
and indirect costs. The study also recommends that for the UNDP projects to realize their
intended benefits to the citizens there are need to lay down proper strategies with regard
to timing of the UNDP projects. Proper staff and stakeholder training, time forecasting
and various other factors should be considered to enhance success. The study further
recommends that for UNDP projects to meet user requirements there is need for
implementing proper guidelines with regard to process for deciding on formulating a
project, final objectives should be documented and approved, how the beneficiary needs
addressed in order of priority and involvement of the relevant Somaliland authorities or
beneficiary. The study finally recommends that there is need to equip the relevant
stakeholders with the relevant skills and knowledge on the importance and sustain ability
of UNDP projects in order to enhance their performance.
Description
Department of Management Science, 81p. The HD 69 .P75H8 2012
Keywords
Project management --Somalia, United Nations Development Programme. --Somalia