Outcome FIJ_O_1

Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance

During the reporting year, Fiji MCO progressed towards the corporate target results on implementation Regular Resources and Other Resources. As per preliminary 2023, delivery report Fiji MCO’s delivery rate for Regular resources represents 87%, whereas Other Resources – 79%. Fiji MCO achieved this delivery rate despite new ERP system challenges related primarily to budgets set-up, advances liquidation, processing reversals, and resolving partners audit financial findings. Program and operations staff increased their capacity in response to challenges related to new ERP System (Quantum) rollout through attending in person training organized by the regional office in May 2023 and virtual webinars and trainings throughout the year. In 2023 - a total of fifteen (15) partners have been subject to Partner's audit (Financial year 2022). 4 Partners (27%) obtained an umodified audit opinion with no findings. 5 partners (33%) obtained an unmodified audit opinion with Financial Findings, of which the MCO closed financial findings for 2 partners, with other 3 being under discussions for closure before end Q1,2024 6 partners (40%) obtained a qualified audit opinion. The MCO managed to fully close the audit financial findings for 1 partner and is working closely with the partners to resolve the pending findings in Q1,2024. Out of the total financial findings USD54,908 the office closed USD20,275 (37%), with the remaining 63% to be closed before end Q1,2024. The pending financial findings shall be resolved as part of partner advance liquidation which is currently under review by the programme teams. Fiji MCO is currently working on addressing and resolving the 11 medium risk recommendations of the Internal Audit with the aim to close during 2024. The MCO remained compliant with EMR policy and Framework Requirements. Through collaborative participation of all field offices under Fiji MCO, the office developed, validated and endorsed in time the Fraud Risk Register. The MCO remained compliant with BCCMA plan (online platform), as well as with the Occupational Health and Safety and UNSMS Security Policies. In the reporting year Fiji MCO managed to submit all donor reports in time.

Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance

In 2024, UN Women's Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) demonstrated its commitment to organizational accountability and trustworthy development practices through robust financial management and strengthened institutional frameworks across the Pacific region. The MCO's principled performance saw comprehensive financial stewardship, achieving an 80% overall delivery rate with a 74% utilization rate by December 1st, 2024. Across funding streams, core funding reached 75% delivery with 83% utilization, progressing toward 100% target delivery, while non-core funding advanced to 82% delivery with 72% utilization, approaching the corporate requirement of 85%. Extra Budgetary Funds attained 43% delivery with 25% utilization, and the Institutional Budget maintained 70% for both delivery and utilization. This financial management supported critical programmatic areas including Women's Economic Empowerment, Eliminating Violence Against Women, Gender in Humanitarian Action and Response, and UN Coordination. A transformative shift in institutional performance continues to emerge through strengthened accountability mechanisms. The office conducted NGO/National Implementation Modality audits with six partner organizations across 5 countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Four partners achieved unmodified audit opinions, with two reports in final stages, while all financial findings from the 2023 NGO/NIM Partner audit exercise were successfully closed. This improvement in partner performance was supported by systematic monthly financial monitoring and compliance reviews examining project delivery across funding streams, advance tracking, travel expense management, and detailed budget mapping through Quantum/RMS systems. To address operational challenges in partner advance liquidation, programme teams initiated monthly visits to partner sites, providing direct support and organizing dedicated learning sessions to strengthen partner capacity in FACE report utilization. The office's commitment to comprehensive accountability was demonstrated through exemplary compliance ratings: overall compliance reached 99.8%, with information security at 99.5%, Occupational Health and Safety at 96.2%, and full compliance in both Business Continuity Planning/Crisis Management arrangements and Security and Safety protocols. The integration of Enterprise Risk Management principles into daily operations, supported by ROAP/HQ Quality assurance team input, strengthened organizational risk management frameworks. The Fiji Multi-Country Office continues to show significant institutional performance improvement in its organizational accountability, achieving a 93% timely donor reporting rate (approaching the 95% target) with 13 out of 14 reports submitted on schedule in 2024. This reflects strengthened internal systems and partner coordination mechanisms, which were further enhanced following a thorough review prompted by one delayed submission. 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. This systematic improvement in reporting practices has directly contributed to more effective program oversight and evidence-based decision-making across UN Women's Pacific operations. Operational efficiency improved markedly through the expansion to 19 valid Long-Term Agreements covering essential services including design and advertising, money vendor services, land transportation, events management, internet and mobile services, printing, and travel. This resulted in reduced processing times from 18 to 7 working days for RFQs and from 37 to 14 working days for RFPs and ITBs. The office completed more than 20 formal procurement processes through Quantum in 2024, while establishing clear guidelines for advertisement timelines and procurement thresholds: L-PRC review for procurements over USD50K, R-PRC review for procurements over USD100K, and HQPRC review for procurements over USD250K. Staff development evolved from bi-weekly to weekly learning sessions, covering crucial operational areas including Quantum Procurement Workflow, UNALL Travel Requests, InfoSec compliance, Results Management System writing, Work Planning, Human Rights-based Programming, and AI implementation through Co-pilot. Looking ahead, the office has scheduled joint learning sessions on Gender Responsive Procurement, Sustainable Procurement, and Disability Inclusion with UNICEF, UN Women, and WFP for Q1 2025. These achievements, led and coordinated by the Operations Unit of the Fiji MCO, demonstrate UN Women's capability to manage resources with integrity while advancing its programmatic ambitions and meeting fiduciary obligations in service of Pacific communities.