Governance and guidance
The activities of the SSHF are carried out under the overall strategic and operational direction of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), with support from an Advisory Board (AB) and an OCHA-led Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU). The Advisory Board is comprised of members of the humanitarian community including NGOs, UN agencies and donors, who support the HC in policy and strategy-setting for the HPF. Cluster leads and cluster members at the national and regional level feed into the identification process of priority needs and target sectors, geographical areas, and activities.
The SSHF operates within the framework provided by the OCHA Operational Handbook for Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPFs), which describe the set of rules that apply to all CBPFs worldwide. The Operational Manual for South Sudan issued by the HC further describes the governance arrangements, objectives, allocation modalities and accountability mechanisms of the HPF, as well as details the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved.
The UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office in New York serves as the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent receives contributions from donors, disburses funds upon decision of the Humanitarian Coordinator to the respective Participating UN Organizations, and provides related financial reports and statements. Participating UN Organizations assume full financial and programmatic accountability for the funds disbursed to them, use the funds to undertake approved projects, and provide related narrative and financial reports.
The OCHA Country Office in South Sudan serves as the Managing Agent to channel funds to NGO partners. Upon decision of the Humanitarian Coordinator, funds for NGO projects are first disbursed by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office to OCHA HQ for subsequent disbursement to NGOs.
Operational Manual 2021 and Guidance
SSHF Operational Manual, July 2021
SSHF Operational Manual Annexes, July 2021
Flexibility Guidance: The SSHF in the context of COVID-19 pandemic