outcome XM-DAC-41146-UKR_O_3

Advancing business transformation

In 2023, UN Women's Country Office (CO) in Ukraine achieved substantial progress in business transformation, strategically reshaping its model for impactful and scalable results. The CO increased the staff from 45 to 61, filling key positions and implementing training initiatives to enhance skills. A sub-office in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, was established to address humanitarian needs, collaborating with UN agencies. Security risk management measures were fortified and simulation exercises for emergency situations held, ensuring staff awareness and protection. Overall, CO is well-prepared to sustain its positive trajectory and deliver significant impact in 2024 and beyond.

outcome XM-DAC-41146-UKR_O_4

Nurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture

The UN Women Country Office (CO) in Ukraine made strides to foster an empowered workforce and promote an inclusive culture throughout 2023. In the aftermath of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, which led to many staff relocations, in 2023 CO management prioritized team building, providing duty of care, increasing staff sense of security and re-establishing work – life balance. Staff increased their development through access to in house and external training, mentoring, and coaching programs launched by the office. Additionally, staff enhanced their capacity in vital operational areas through CO launched trainings in project management, quantum, procurement, and financial management.Staff further accessed a more inclusive workplace as the CO championed diversity and equality. With a gender-balanced workforce, where national and international staff share responsibilities, the office introduced various policies and procedures to ensure equitable treatment for all staff members. Moreover, it has constructed several avenues for staff to engage in the decision-making process, including staff retreats, monthly all-staff meetings, regular program and operations meetings, as well as senior management meetings to demonstrate the effectiveness of transparent and participatory decision making. UN-Women began to cement itself as an employer of choice with a diverse and highly performing cadre of personnel in Ukraine. To meet the new and complex needs caused by the humanitarian emergency and security threats, the CO cooperated with HQ to scale up its human resources. Several service contracts were converted to more stable TA and FTA modalities, an international expert security officer was hired, and other new support positions were created in support of resource mobilization, communications and M&E. The services of two expert consultants were acquired to provide group therapy and team building to help staff process traumas related to the conflict context.

outcome XM-DAC-41146-UKR_O_5

Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes

UN Women Ukraine made good progress towards this output maintaining vigilant monitoring of all Annual Work Plan (AWP) activities, encompassing each of the specified outcomes. The CO completed the 2023 biannual and quarterly reports submitted through the UN INFO system and submitted them in accordance with the established corporate deadlines, ensuring compliance and transparency. To guarantee the effective coordination and execution of programs, the CO regularly convened both general and thematic staff meetings, as well as program-specific discussions. The CO demonstrated a delivery rate of 72%, with 93% utilization rate. This remarkable utilization rate is attributable to a significant portion of the CO’s programmatic budget being allocated through partner agreements. These commitments, although not recorded in the Quantum system, reflect extensive collaboration with civil society organizations; as of December 2023, the CO had established 44 Partner Agreements (PAs) with 40 different civil society groups. The CO established procedures for the regular preparation and review of delivery reports. This practice is crucial for tracing payments and for the implementation of measures aimed at mitigating any delays and potential risks. This meticulous process ensures effective management and oversight of the CO's financial resources, contributing to the overall efficiency of the organization's program delivery.