Outcome LAC_O_1

Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance

In 2024, ACRO demonstrated its commitment to organizational accountability and trustworthy practices through robust financial management and strengthened institutional frameworks across the LAC region. The ACRO principled performance saw comprehensive financial stewardship, achieving an 74% overall delivery rate with a 89% utilization rate by December 1st, 2024 across the region. Across funding streams, core funding reached 78% delivery with 90% utilization, progressing toward 100% target delivery, while non-core funding advanced to 72% delivery with 88% utilization, approaching the corporate requirement of 85%. A transformative shift in institutional performance continues to emerge through strengthened accountability mechanisms. The office addressed all its internal audit recommendations, and supported Mexico and Colombia in preparation to their internal audits. The financial performance was supported by systematic monthly financial monitoring and compliance reviews examining project delivery across funding streams, advance tracking, travel expense management, project closure, oversight of procurement actions and post facto's, as well as any outstanding actions on partner management. To address operational and programme implementation challenges, PSMU developed acceleration plans for larger CO's and projects, providing direct support and organizing dedicated learning sessions to strengthen PM capacity. The office's commitment to comprehensive accountability was demonstrated through exemplary compliance ratings: overall compliance reached 95.9%, with information security at 100% (only RO), Occupational Health and Safety at 96.6%, and full compliance in both Business Continuity Planning/Crisis Management arrangements and Security and Safety protocols for RO. The integration of Enterprise Risk Management principles into daily operations, strengthened organizational risk management frameworks. The ACRO team continues to show significant institutional performance improvement in its organizational accountability, achieving a 86% timely donor reporting rate or the RO and overall 85% compliance across the region. This reflects strengthened internal systems and partner coordination mechanisms, which were further enhanced following a thorough review mid-year by Operations, PSMU and Partnership Unit. The office's ability to maintain this high standard while managing complex cross-regional initiatives underscores its growing institutional maturity in transparent resource management and results documentation. Operational efficiency improved markedly through the increased use of Long-Term Agreements covering essential services including travel, events management, translation etc. The office completed more than 26 formal procurement processes using LTA's in 2024. These achievements, led and coordinated by the Operations Unit demonstrate UN Women's capability to manage resources with integrity while advancing its programmatic ambitions and meeting fiduciary obligations in service of LAC communities.

Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance

In 2023 the RO has been working on troubleshooting Quantum issues during the roll out, investing in raising capacities across the region both in policy and with Quantum. Maintaining high delivery rates, ensuring timely and quality donor reporting and ensuring compliance with ERM and Security have remained an issue that the RO has been working regularly with OMs and PMs across the region.