UNOPS in Argentina works with projects funded by the Government of Argentina, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the World Bank.

Projects are implemented using Management Service Agreements (MSAs) or Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) signed directly between UNOPS and the national Government, focusing its activities mainly in procurement processes and infrastructure works. UNOPS executes those processes rapidly and pursuant to the legal framework between UNOPS and the Government based on the Host Country Agreement signed in 2007.

Thanks to UNOPS in Argentina, national institutions benefit from more transparency in contracting and procurement processes. The rapid implementation of procurement processes included in the projects’ contracting plan, following the UN rules and the long-term agreements (LTA) with the suppliers, guarantee time and money saving for the clients.

UNOPS in Argentina and UNDAF (2010-2014)

UNOPS in Argentinais actively supporting the national development strategy, in particular in health and education sectors.

As part of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the period 2010-2014, UNOPS in Argentina will support the strategic vision of UN cooperation in Argentina, within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and particularly within the goals regarding access to education and health services, health protection, equity conditions and strengthening of the government institutions capacities.

The following are some examples of UNOPS in Argentina's support to clients in some key sectors:

Governance

Through its procurement activities and consultant services contracts, UNOPS in Argentina is supporting the technological modernization strategies and the institutional strengthening of the national government and the provincial governments.

UNOPS in Argentina is currently supporting the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Social Security Administration, the National Council of Scientific and Technologist Researches (CONICET), the Work Risks Superintendent's Office, the Ministry of Urban Development of Buenos Aires and the Ministry of Finance of Cordoba province through different projects.

Public works

In the field of the Ministry of Culture’s Bicentennial Work Programme, UNOPS in Argentina is helping refurbish national museums and historic buildings. UNOPS in Argentina provides procurement services and administration of payments, with work initially focused on refurbishing 10 national museums.

In addition, UNOPS in Argentina is supporting the National Congress Library in the construction of its new facilities, which will house its archive, providing them with modern security, exhibition and advice systems, so as to provide an efficient service to the community.

Disaster preparedness

Since 1979 the Government has mitigated seismic risk by introducing regulations and practices to reinforce the stability of structures in earthquake-prone areas. UNOPS in Argentina supports the National Institute of Seismic Prevention (INPRES) by administering monitoring missions, helping define technical specifications, procuring goods and services. As a result of this assistance the Institute now enjoys modernized seismic equipment and is sharing its findings globally.

Education

UNOPS in Argentina supports the strategy of the national government to improve access to education and strengthen the process of school technological modernization at a national and subnational level.

UNOPS in Argentina supports the Ministry of Education’s initiatives; the “Programme of Improvement of the Education System”, the “Programme of Improvement of Rural Education” and the “Programme of Improvement of the Educational Equity”, that aim to promote equal access to education and intensive use of information and communication technologies across the country.

Within the framework of these Programmes, UNOPS in Argentina has implemented procurement processes for 106,000 computers that were distributed among rural and urban schools across the country.

UNOPS in Argentina also supports the Ministry of Education in the province of Río Negro in its strategy to assure universal access to education. Through its support to the national strategy to strengthen the education system, UNOPS in Argentina also contributes to the achievement of the Millennium Goal related to the sector.

Health

In the provinces of Buenos Aires and Chubut, UNOPS in Argentina assists the Ministry of Health with several projects funded by the Government.

In Argentina, UNOPS supports those ministries by implementing procurement processes and procuring medical supplies, antiretroviral drugs, equipment, ambulances and contracting logistics.