8.1 Key Infrastructure
As a new UNCT staff member, you have been asked to assume responsibility for the establishment of a NHRI. Very little has been done since the law was passed. What to do now? What are the basic structural and capital requirements? What criteria are particular to NHRIs? What are the normal requirements to get the institution going – offices, transportation and basic equipment?
What will it cost?
The planned activities for capacity development that are undertaken by the UNCT should be coordinated with the planning process in the UN country planning cycle, and set out in the Project Activity Framework (PAF). A sample of the PAF, showing how costing can be broken down by activity level is provided in Chapter 6.
Who pays?
While paying for basic infrastructure is a state responsibility, the UN often "kick starts" the NHRI at the establishment phase in developing countries, or in countries in transition. The UNCT will typically work with other donors to support basic structural needs of the organization.
Each case should be reviewed on its merits to determine whether and the extent to which basic capital or infrastructure support is appropriate. In some cases, capital expenses are one-time only and so the issue of sustained funding is not a concern. However, even one- time capital costs are incurred in relation to items that have recurring costs: for example, buying computers is not a "one shot deal". It systems require maintenance, back up and technical support.
The UN should not be viewed as permanent source of ongoing funding, and even in long-term cases, an exit strategy should be planned to transfer responsibility to the State at a point in time.