Planned Budget (Total)
Other resources (non-core)
Country Indexes
outcome XM-DAC-41146-BGD_O_1
UN-Women is an accountable and trustworthy development organization that manages its financial and other resources with integrity and in line with its programmatic ambitions and fiduciary obligations
UN Women has made significant progress on this output to demonstrate its position as an accountable and trustworthy partner to advance the gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) agenda in Bangladesh. In 2023, Country Office’s ability to deliver results effectively has been enhanced by the global rollout of the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Quantum, which has enabled greater streamlining of processes as well as deepening leadership and accountability of programmes. Personnel’s skills and knowledge on the new system was enhanced through extensive in-person training, learning-on-the-go as well as peer-to-peer exchange. The Country Office’s coherence as a team was demonstrated through this open exchange to deliver results effectively, despite challenges posed by such a tremendous change that has affected UN Women globally. UN Women’s commitment to quality results and delivery as a reliable partner was demonstrated through its anticipated final programme delivery rate at 85 per cent, which is in line with corporate targets, despite the significant learning curve posed by Quantum. Its commitment to communicating quality results was further demonstrated by its graduation to Tier 1 country for donor reporting, achieved earlier than expected in the Strategic Note lifecycle. UN Women’s active engagement through its convening and coordination role within the UN system in Bangladesh was further strengthened by its continued work with the Operations Management Team and other inter-agency mechanisms, on key issues including gender responsive procurement. After a year of significant change, the Country Office realized that change management is not linear, and progress in improving internal capacities and processes require consistent office-wide effort and teamwork. A workforce with strengthened capacities, reinforced by a nimble and flexible management, will enable the Country Office to take forth challenges in the coming year.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-BGD_O_2
UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate
In 2023, increased engagements with youth, civil society, development partners, sister agencies, and media, coupled with quality communication, have opened new avenues for financing the gender equality agenda. For example, UN Women and UNESCO partnered to mobilize resource to create gender responsive working environment in media and entertainment industry. Key communication and knowledge products, including the Take Five interview with the EU Ambassador , audio-visual stories on ‘ What works to prevent violence against women ’ and ‘ Women's Leadership: Pioneering Climate Action ', and UN Women Bangladesh Newsletter_January-June 2023 positioned UN Women as a key leader on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). Key development partners, including the Canadian High Commissioner and the European Union Ambassador , appreciated the work of UN Women and reiterated their commitment for collaboration. This led to a funding opportunity with the EU for UN Women work on gender-based violence. Strategic engagement with for other development partners investing in GEWE in Bangladesh was enhanced, through communications and visibility efforts, such as the strategic engagement with the Australian High Commission on a social media campaign for 16 Days of Activism , invoking the participation of ten development partners and ten sister agencies on ending violence against women. Additionally, several initiatives increased visibility of the coordination efforts within the UN system and across the country, such as a UN HR Open Day for encouraging gender parity in the system, high-level round table led by Resident Coordinator’s Office with 30 prominent women leaders of the country to shed light on the existing barriers and challenges faced by women and girls, and a high-level visit of the United Nations Country Team and development partners to Khulna and Barisal divisions in south-central Bangladesh to showcase the experiences of women in climate-vulnerable areas. Additionally, GEWE thematic priorities were highlighted at a national level through joint op-eds published in the country’s leading English newspaper (on Ending Violence against Women ; the Digital Divide and the Sustainable Development Goals Gender Snapshot Report ). These efforts have resulted in bolstering the position of UN Women as the key agency for advancing GEWE as well as commitment from the Resident Coordinator to enhance efforts into mobilizing resources for GEWE. In support of its coordination mandate, UN Women ensured integration of gender equality across different inter-agency mechanisms both at the Dhaka and Cox (Rohingya Response) level (such as UNCT, UN Rohingya Response, Security management Team, Operations Management Team, Programme Management Team, Communications Groups, Monitoring and evaluation, UNSDCF Strategic Priority Groups, Youth Task Team, Head of Sub-Office Group amongst others). PSEA was consistently raised at the SMT; informed by a dedicated survey led by UN Women in Cox Bazaar. Substantive inputs were also provided to UNDSS on the GBV Aide Memoire. Key lessons learned include the need to continue engaging with civil society, development partners, youth and sister agencies on critical GEWE priorities throughout the year. The strategic leadership of UN Women as the co-chair of the Gender Equality Theme Group and Strategic Priority 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework has positioned the Country Office as a reliable partner for GEWE. Continued investment and recognition of sister agencies is critical to maintain a high level of engagement and ownership.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-BGD_O_3
UN-Women strategically plans for and transforms its business model to deliver impact at scale, through agile and ethical leadership rooted in a continuous improvement culture
In 2023, the Bangladesh Country Office has prioritized strengthening adaptive and inclusive leadership, especially in the context of external instability, economic downturn, coupled with the evolving political situation in-country, as well as extensive change-management within the UN Women system, with the introduction of a new ERP system, Quantum. The Country Office continued to promote a culture of openness, real-time information sharing, and knowledge exchange, that has strengthened, empowered and motivated the team. Business processes and workflows were reviewed to incorporate the changes resulting from the new ERP system, Quantum. The Country Office team demonstrated strong commitment to foster an environment of learning and continuous reflection, including facilitating both internal and external knowledge exchange. Good practices from Bangladesh, especially in terms of delivering its results at scale, were shared at various levels in Headquarters, including in the Executive Board sessions, and learning sessions held on Strategic Plan indicator reporting. The lessons from this reporting period highlight the importance of a whole-of-office approach in real-time knowledge sharing, as well as the value of peer-to-peer learning and exchange in facilitating successful transition and adaptation to new business systems to deliver impactful results.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-BGD_O_4
With its unique and inclusive culture, UN-Women is an employer of choice with a diverse and highly performing cadre of personnel that embodies UN values
There has been progress in this outcome in the reporting year. UN Women Bangladesh Country Office demonstrated its commitment to inclusive leadership and management by continuous investment in staff learning, capacity development and knowledge exchange. Capacity and knowledge of personnel have been strengthened through a substantial investment in learning opportunities on the newly introduced ERP system, programme management including results-based reporting, procurement, adaptive leadership, evaluation, Protection from of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), procurement, among others. All staff meetings are co-chaired on rotation basis, to ensure that each individual in the office have the opportunity to demonstrate their improved facilitation and leadership skills. Office-wide approach to collaborative learning and peer-to-peer exchange was demonstrated through active and effective participation of over 75 per cent of Country Office personnel voluntarily engaged in at least one of a total eight task teams, initiatives, or groups. Specific focus on psychosocial wellbeing and mental health improved staff morale and effectively demonstrated UN Women’s commitment to providing an inclusive work environment anchored in feminist approach to excellence. In 2023, six sessions on psychological safety were conducted by the UN Women Regional Staff Counsellor, with three dedicated sessions on empathy. Two country office personnel selected as the Respectful Workplace Facilitators received additional certification, following an in-person training exercise at the regional level. In addition to all staff meetings, a dedicated space was created for the Cox Bazaar sub-office personnel to interact with the Country Representative on a monthly basis. Aimed at creating a One Bangladesh Country Office identity, personnel appreciated the opportunity to share challenges and identify areas for support from the Dhaka team. The commitment of the Country Office to be an employer of choice was demonstrated by increased number of fixed-term appointments as a move towards better contract modalities to recruit and retain high quality personnel. A key lesson learnt is that a commitment to an empowered and nimble workforce requires continuous effort from both management and individual levels. During critical times of change, such as the global rollout of a new ERP system, institutional learning is further enhanced by peer-to-peer exchange, which is often self-motivated. The Office can benefit from such exchange and further motivate and acknowledge personnel that take such proactive approach to ensure an empowered workforce.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-BGD_O_5
UN-Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its mandate at HQ, Regional and Country levels, including through shared services
There has been progress in this output remains on track. UN Women’s position as a thought leader on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) was demonstrated through leveraging its convening and coordination role to implement the Gender Parity Strategy across the UN system in Bangladesh. Effective delivery of UN Women’s mandate, including operations and coordination, has further strengthened the Country Office’s position as a reliable partner to key development partners, as a result of which, for the first time the Government of Sweden has expressed interest in providing direct funding against the Bangladesh Country Office (BCO) Strategic Note (SN). The funding is expected to be finalized in early 2024. The Office strengthened its internal capacity for effective programming and reporting, which has resulted in the Country Office to be declared a Tier 1 country for donor reporting (as reported in Output 1). The Country Office will continue to prioritise a structured approach to reporting and reviewing internal and external reports in light of this achievement. Quality evaluations further demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of the Office’s programming in Bangladesh, whilst providing key lessons learnt to inform future programme development and improvements of internal mechanisms. For example, the thematic evaluation in Cox’s Bazar called for streamlined monitoring to effectively demonstrate key results of the humanitarian response for Rohingya Refugees.Showing 6 - 10 of 18