UNDP CO programme portfolio is currently structured into three clusters, which cover the four core practice areas that UNDP works globally:

1. Democratic Governance and Trade Cluster
2. Poverty Reduction, Economic Development and HIV/AIDs Cluster
3. Energy, Environment and Disaster Management Cluster

The Democratic Governance and Trade cluster has programme portfolio that works towards promoting public awareness on human rights as set out in international norms and standards and Islamic law. It has helped establish a resource centre in Tehran to promote knowledge sharing and networking among local civil society organizations, facilitating NGO contribution to national development objectives, cooperating with the judiciary on improving public access to justice, and supports the Majles on parliamentary strengthening and capacity building.

The Poverty Reduction, Economic Development and HIV/AIDs cluster activities are centred around assisting the government to incorporate best practices on poverty alleviation into a national poverty reduction strategy. To complement this, UNDP has piloted a poverty alleviation initiative in Sistan-Baluchestan, the poorest province in Iran, and is introducing the results of this experience into future community empowerment activities at provincial level. UNDP Iran, as primary recipient of Global Fund Grant and working closely with Iranian counterparts for control and eradication of HIV/AIDs, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

The Energy, Environment and Disaster Management cluster has diverse portfolio where it helps Iran meet her commitments to international environmental conventions on combating desertification, protecting biodiversity, reducing green-house gases, reducing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and eliminating ozone depleting substances. It is also working closely with the government on prevention, mitigation and preparedness for disaster risks to secure economic and social development. UNDP supported five years’ disaster risk management programme (2005-2010) is under implementation in partnership with Strategic Planning and Control Office.

The UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is part of third cluster, works to conserve the global environment through local action. SGP projects promote environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods through local participation. The projects build partnerships and foster dialogue with a view to empowering and encouraging local communities, particularly women, to protect regions of universal environmental significance. The Programme facilitates and contributes to Iran’s delivery on her commitments to international environmental conventions on combating desertification, protecting biodiversity, reducing green-house gases, reducing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and eliminating ozone depleting substances. It is also working closely with the government on reducing the impact of natural disasters on economic and social development.

The UNDP Iran is based in Tehran at following address: UN Common Premises, #8, Shahrzad Blvd, Darrous, Tehran, Iran.

The following provides a brief description of UNDP Iran office structure:

Office of the Resident Representative/Resident Coordinator: Oversees UN/UNDP mandate, strategic policy and direction.

Office of the Deputy Resident Representative:

Programme: Headed by Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Unit is organized around priority practice areas (Democratic Governance, Poverty Alleviation, Environment, Energy and Disaster, HIV/AIDS) and cross-cutting expertise areas such as Gender as well as Advocacy and Communications.

Operations: Headed by Deputy Resident Representative with direct supervision of an Assistant Resident Representative (Operations) who provides all back-office support services (Finance, Human Resources, Information & Communications Technology, Procurement & General Services) to UNDP programmes/projects and other resident/non-resident UN agencies in Iran.

UNDP has over a dozen of active projects. UNDP is also administering several UN agencies including UNDSS, UNAMA, UNOCHA, UNISDR, UNIDO, UNIC, UNODC, WB and UNAIDS. In addition, UNDP provides support services to non-resident UN agencies such as UNESCAP, UNEP, UNOPS, UNOHCHR, IAEA and WIPO.