Outcome ETH_O_3

Advancing business transformation

UN Women continued participation in UN common premises together with other agencies with UNDP Regional Service Centre as lead agency. This has enabled the CO to leverage the costs of rent, security, communication and ICT infrastructure and other utility services. The CO has safe and secure office space for effective programme implementation. During the year, the CO established and furnished a lactation room for use by staff as a way to promote staff wellbeing for better productivity and diginity.

Advancing business transformation

During 2022, UN Women Ethiopia continued to participate in UN System wide collaboration on operational management through the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) implementation and reporting. UN Women actively participated in the Operations Management Team (OMT) Working Groups on finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, common premisses and administration, security where activities for joint planning and implementation are developed, common issues and experiences shared. The Joint Procurement Working group developed and /or renewed long term agreements (LTAs) with suppliers/contractors for various goods/services. The LTAs enabled UN Women to access a ready pool of suppliers for procurement of goods/services thereby cut on processing time hence reduction in transaction costs. The LTAs also enabled UN Women to get better prices since the LTAs prices are better due to benefits of economies of scale. UN Women continued to participate in cost sharing arrangements with UNDP on common premises, security and communication services infrastructure for better and cost-effective services. In addition, UN Women had cost sharing arrangements with UNDP on contract management for its personnel and payment services. It also participated in cost sharing arrangements on UN System wide security, safety and health management through the country level UN Department of Safety and Security and the UN Health Care Centre. This enabled the safety and wellbeing of staff and property.

Advancing business transformation

Ethiopia Country Office (CO) continued its strategic push for business transformation by prioritizing cost containment, efficiency, and value-driven partnerships. Through disciplined governance and innovative negotiation, the CO achieved substantial cost avoidance resulting from decreased administrative workflows and prescribed corporate cost containment measures while expanding its operational effectiveness to reach women and girls in greatest need. Adherence to travel restrictions and cost containment: In alignment with the established travel thresholds, the CO adhered to strict travel restrictions. This disciplined approach enabled the CO to reduce travel-related expenditures without compromising program delivery or stakeholder engagement. Amendment to the Common Premises MOU with UNDP: Facing reduced funding, the CO successfully negotiated an amendment to the common premises MOU with UNDP resulting in a reduction in space and office rent by more than 60%. The substantial savings will be reinvested to sustain operations in 2026, preserving critical activities and staff capacity. Service Level Agreement for procurement and logistical support: To enhance efficiency and effectiveness, the CO finalized a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with WFP for Procurement of goods and services and logistical support, including delivery to hard-to-reach areas such as Amhara and Somali Regions. This SLA establishes clear performance standards, accountability, and streamlined processes to shorten lead times and improve value for money as part of the common services envisioned under Business Operations Strategy (BOS). Leveraging the SLA, the CO successfully procured and delivered food and non-food items in Amhara through WFP as part of the CO's humanitarian response. This SLA has strengthened the CO's ability to reach vulnerable populations with timely and reliable assistance. The CO’s approach demonstrates how prudent cost containment, strategic partnerships, and clear service-level governance can sustain mission-critical operations during funding volatility periods. The enhanced procurement and logistics capacity positions the CO to respond more rapidly to humanitarian needs, particularly in remote regions. Continued focus on efficiency and value creation will enable the CO to preserve essential programs, expand coverage, and maintain quality standards in service delivery.

Advancing business transformation

In line with its strategic commitment to business transformation, the UN Women Country Office has actively participated in the UN Common Premises initiative, collaborating with various UN agencies and international organizations such as UNDP Regional Services Centre, WHO, UNFPA, UN Habitat, UNCDF, and UNITAR. This shared space arrangement not only facilitates inter-agency collaboration and cohesion but also enables the CO to achieve cost efficiencies in terms of rent and utilities. Importantly, it contributes to ensuring the safety and security of our staff and personnel. Furthermore, the establishment of a regional presence in Tigray is a significant step towards the broader outcome of empowering women in post-conflict environments and supporting their rights and livelihoods and attracted inter-agency strong support which led to a development of a joint initiative with IOM which is underway. During the year, a significant development was the relocation of the UN Common Premises to a new site. This move aligns with our efforts to optimize operations and maintain an agile and ethical business model. The relocation is part of our ongoing efforts to adapt and improve our working environment, reflecting our commitment to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. This strategic shift in our physical workspace is integral to our mission of delivering impactful results at scale, underpinned by agile leadership and an efficient, responsive operational framework.