Outcome FIJ_O_5

Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes:

The completion of the mapping of UN Women's contributions to the Pacific United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) demonstrates the Fiji MCO’s strategic approach to aligning activities with broader development goals that are informed by global and regional normative frameworks. Further to this, the completion of 14 Country Implementation Plans (CIPs) for the three Regional Coordination Offices (Fiji, Samoa, Micronesia) indicates a comprehensive approach to programmatic planning and coordination at the country level, emphasizing the Fiji MCO’s commitment to tailored interventions. In addition, UN Women has leveraged its leadership of the Gender Theme Group to ensure the integration of gender, social inclusion and protection were weaved into the Pacific UNSDCF and CIPs. Committing to adaptability and streamlining, the Fiji MCO reviewed existing SOPs on HR, Procurement, Travel Finance to align workflows with the new corporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System for increased internal efficiency. Regarding programme implementation, all Fiji MCO projects have outputs on track or achieved in various locations, indicating strong programme management and delivery. The successful conclusion of 116 negotiations, averaging a processing time of 15 days, demonstrates the heightened efficiency within our procurement processes. Leveraging Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and implementing shorter advertisement periods further enhances this efficiency, streamlining procurement and reducing processing time significantly. The processing of 91 Purchase Orders (POs)/Contracts from completed negotiations, coupled with transparent acknowledgment of cancellations or call-offs, underscores the Fiji MCO’s commitment to accountability and the pursuit of effective financial management practices. The cost-share projects implemented by Fiji MCO registered 79% in non-core delivery rate in 2023, primarily due to the challenges the team faced with transition to new ERP system (Quantum) and its roll over to field offices.

Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes:

Throughout 2024, the UN Women Fiji MCO demonstrated significant progress in strengthening its operational effectiveness and institutional capacity across five Pacific Island Countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The office's systematic approach to monitoring, capacity building, and process optimization has yielded tangible improvements in service delivery and operational efficiency. The MCO's commitment to results-based management was evidenced through comprehensive training programs that reached staff across all five countries. Weekly learning sessions focused on results-based reporting and monitoring techniques benefited teams from both the Markets for Change (M4C) and Women's Resilience to Disasters (WRD) programs. These capacity-building initiatives led to measurable improvements in reporting quality, with staff demonstrating enhanced ability to articulate behavioural changes, while effectively capturing both quantitative and qualitative results. The office's dedication to efficient business processes is particularly visible in its procurement achievements. Through strategic implementation of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), procurement timelines were significantly reduced: Request for Quotations to 7 working days, Request for Proposals to 14 working days, and RMB processes to 3 working days. The office maintains 19 valid LTAs covering essential services, demonstrating a systematic approach to enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining procedural integrity. In terms of project implementation, the MCO achieved a 100% success rate in keeping outputs on track across all programs. This encompasses initiatives such as Strengthening Social Cohesion Pathways in Fiji, Markets for Change in four countries, the Pacific Partnership to End VAW in six countries, and Women's Resilience to Disasters in four countries. This achievement reflects the office's effective management of diverse programs across multiple geographical locations. The MCO's commitment to knowledge sharing and international cooperation was demonstrated through various initiatives. The office facilitated south-south, north-south, and triangular cooperation through five field offices, surpassing its target. Notable initiatives included the Gender Equality Village and co-organizing the Asia-Pacific Gender Champions event with UN Women Manila. The Kiribati and Solomon Islands offices further strengthened international partnerships through engagement with experts at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum. To ensure sustained quality in monitoring and reporting, the MCO implemented a two-stage review process for annual reports, providing structured opportunities for improvement while maintaining realistic deadlines. The office also developed standardized reporting templates and established a centralized digital platform for monitoring and reporting resources, demonstrating its commitment to streamlining processes and maintaining high standards of documentation. Looking ahead to 2025, the MCO has identified areas for further enhancement, including establishing a peer review system for reports and strengthening the ability to identify and document lessons learned. These forward-looking initiatives demonstrate the office's commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery and operational effectiveness. Through these comprehensive efforts, the UN Women Fiji MCO has effectively demonstrated its capacity to discharge business processes that advance integrated delivery of its mandate across headquarters, regional, and country levels, while maintaining high standards of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.