The 10th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism in Africa (RCM-Africa) recommended that its Secretariat be transformed into a joint United Nations (UN)-Africa Union (AU) Secretariat. The joint Secretariat now has dedicated staff from the AU Commission (AUC) and ECA who provide strategic coordination and support to the mechanism.

The main functions of the Secretariat are as follows:

Support to the Clusters and Sub-clusters of RCM-Africa

The clusters and sub-clusters are the operational arms of RCM-Africa. Their main responsibilities include:

• Implementing recommendations of RCM-Africa annual meetings;
• Strengthening joint-programming within clusters and sub-clusters to ensure compliance and consistency of planned activities with AU programmes and priorities;
• Strengthening inter-cluster collaboration in the spirit of delivering as one UN and one RCM, including enhancing exchange of information and communication at all levels; and ensuring that clusters and sub-clusters focus on activities with measurable results.

Accordingly the joint RCM Secretariat provides support to the clusters and sub-clusters as well as Sub-regional Coordination Mechanisms (SRCMs) to work efficiently and effectively, as follows:

The Joint RCM-Africa Secretariat has designated Focal Points for all clusters, with the following defined roles, tasks and responsibilities:

• Help organize and participate in the meetings of the clusters and sub-clusters;
• Prepare reports of cluster activities for internal use;
• Be proactive in pushing forward the RCM-Africa agenda and in implementing recommendations emanating from annual meetings of RCM-Africa;
• Monitor and provide guidance for implementation of RCM-Africa recommendations;
• Assist clusters and sub-clusters to develop action plans that respond to AU priorities and recommendations of RCM-Africa with specific activities, timeliness and resource implications;
• Assist clusters and sub-clusters to develop work plans for the implementation of the Ten Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU;
• Identify knowledge products,  initiatives and resources at the level of the AU and UN to leverage activities of clusters and subclusters; and
• Encourage and facilitate participation of relevant AU departments and UN system organizations in the work of the clusters and sub-clusters.

Support to the implementation of the Ten Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU

The implementation of the Ten Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU requires that a number of activities be carried out as recommended by the 11th session of RCM-Africa. The Joint RCM-Africa Secretariat works towards the implementation of these activities.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

The Joint Secretariat plays a key role in monitoring and evaluating the work of RCM-Africa clusters and sub-clusters. In that regard, it has developed guidelines for Result Based Management (RBM) and reporting.

Communications and Advocacy

Advocacy and information dissemination are important in promoting activities, achievements and success stories of RCM-Africa and its clusters. The Joint RCM-Africa Secretariat plays a role in developing communication and advocacy strategies to enhance UN-AU cooperation.

Sub-regional Coordination

The Joint RCM-Africa Secretariat promotes strategic partnerships to enhance UN/REC coordination at the sub-regional level by engaging RECs and UN agencies operating at the sub-regional level to develop appropriate coordination mechanisms in the sub-regions and to ensure their operationalization in a sustainable manner.