outcome XM-DAC-41146-UKR_O_3

High quality of programmes through knowledge, innovation, result-based management and evaluation

Due to the escalation of war and subsequent humanitarian and security crisis, no external audits were conducted, and only limited participation in evaluations/assessments was possible. The Country Office participated in the regional evaluation on capacity development. The evaluation continues into the first quarter of 2023, and no lessons learned can be extracted yet. The project “Decentralization and Law Enforcement Reforms: Transformative Approaches to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Ukraine” (2018–2022) underwent a light final project assessment, which was concluded in December 2022. The report highlights important lessons learned and recommendations for future programming, including how UN Women can continue working with the National Police of Ukraine on gender-responsive policing and with the media for social norms change. High quality programmes and results-based management was ensured through ongoing monitoring activities and developing progress reports on all project’s progress ad results. Specific humanitarian indicators were also developed, as complementary to the SN indicators, to ensure all results were captured in the evolving humanitarian crisis.

outcome XM-DAC-41146-UKR_O_4

Improved management of financial and human resources in pursuit of results

Despite severe challenges due to the full-scale invasion, the CO has remained fully operational and continues to effectively manage financial and human resources in pursuit of results. Several learning sessions were conducted for the new team of the Norway-funded project, as they had changes in their management structure. Session on application of DoA was conducted with Project Manager a.i., session on PCA reporting, UN Women financial workflow, SOP, Atlas and budgeting was conducted by Finance associate for all Programme colleagues and Assistant of this project. In addition, several trainings for Implementing partners were conducted with aim to strengthen their capacity in financial reporting process. Colleagues responsible for logistics (drivers), administrative (Office Admin Assistant) and HR (HR Assistant) work continue to perform their functions. Due to security limitations, travel has been reduced but Security SOPs have been developed and the travel of staff is resuming with observance of security requirements. HR work has adapted and now includes reporting on staff movements, payment of danger pay and provision of staffing data to UNDSS. The war resulted in major staffing changes within the UN Women team in Ukraine, nevertheless, despite all the challenges, the number of staff is growing. Four international colleagues joined CO to support humanitarian response, and resource mobilization. All security requirements have been completed. Security and Safety Compliance Surveys have been timely completed, leading to the closing of offices in Kramatorsk and Severodonetsk and relocation of the Kyiv office to a security-compliant location. Risk Register was updated twice - at the beginning of the war in March and at the beginning of Transitional SN preparation in June. Business Continuity Plans including Transportation Plan are in place. Year-end certification has been timely completed by the office with very satisfactory delivery rates despite all challenges.