Outcome KHM_O_4

SN OEE Output Area 4: UN Women Programme Presence Operations and Management Systems deliver client-focused services and quality results

Five (5) annual performance management and development reviews were completed on time, and five (4) contracts have been extended. Staff movement was observed during the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2023. A Programme Analyst position for the Safe and Fair Project was on board on March 15th, 2023. At the same time, a Programme Assistant for Women Peace Security and the Safe and Fair project was successfully recruited and started on November 1, 2023. With secured resources from Global Joint Programme on Essential Service Package and ACCESS Phase II (2024-2028), the Programme Analyst Position for Ending Violence Against Women has been under recruitment and selected candidates are expected to be started in March 2023. Further, a Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Reporting Analyst has been in the recruiting process and progress has been observed. The Cambodia Office was successful in supporting career advancement of the programme team, as a result a former Programme Assistant was promoted to be an Operations Associate .She started her new role in May 2023. While the programme team continues to grow in terms of size, the Cambodia office maintains regular updates across the programmes through monthly team meetings and engaging with programme thematic learning such as a Community of Practice (COP), webinars and in person workshops and or training to strengthen technical knowledge and skills to ensure accuracy of policy advice and technical assistance. In 2023 there were some six (6) UN Women Cambodia programme team members who were exposed to new and interesting concepts regarding the operations system such as human resource enabler programme, financial and project system (Quantum) and programme portfolios as well as share good practices and lessons learnt during programme implementation. Regular monitoring of spending plans is one among other factors contributing to the high delivery rate which accounts for 92% which is overachievement as it was planned at 90%. Secondly, an increase in familiarity with the use of Quantum and other supportive systems such as GST, and e-procurement faster the process as well. Another achievement is the completion of the physical asset verification, followed by the submission of the report conducted as per the deadline by the Head Quarter. Two partner audits were completed with a smooth collaboration of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) and Cambodia Child Helpline (CHC). The audit management control findings were discussed and agreed upon by both partners. At the same time, the key recommendations have been taken by partners to improve financial management. In addition, the office renovation was completely successful which enabled the programme team to concentrate on the start of the 2024 programme implementation.

SN OEE Output Area 4: UN Women Programme Presence Operations and Management Systems deliver client-focused services and quality results

There has been significant progress in resource mobilisation. Successful grants approved during this semester were the "Measuring Opportunity for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP)", "ACCESS Phase II", and a regional project "Gender-Responsive COVID-19 Prevention and Response". These grants have enabled the Cambodia team to expand its programme portfolio to women participating in peacekeeping operations and COVID-19 response to marginalised groups such as women migrant workers and women living with HIV/AIDS, and to continue its ending violence against women work. The Cambodia programme team has strong capacity in programme management, implementation, and operations. With this strong capacity, the three new projects were established and set up in the DAMS, PGAMS, ATLAS and RMS completely. Further the programme management functions such as staff recruitment and selecting service providers for programme implementation has been progressing gradually. There has also not been an aging advance. Regularly monthly staff and programme led meetings are held and provide a forum for sharing updates, learning about on-going programmes and operations including good practices. The meetings also provide an opportunity to understand workloads and identify and provide backstopping for programmes and operations when relevant. Emerging challenges can also be identified, and risk mitigation measures implemented as needed to prevent disruptions or delays. There has been a good coordination for UN personnel and dependents to receive the 4th and 5th dose of the COVID 19 vaccination. UN Women Cambodia has remained active in COVID-19 prevention and response and is fully complying with WHO's guidance. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (masks, gels, sanitizers) and Rapid Tests have been supplied in the office. The UN Women Cambodia programme and operations teams have adhered to corporate compliance. Two partner audits of the Safe and Fair programme have been completed and the recommendations from the audits have been implemented accordingly. With updated compliance knowledge and capacity, the Cambodia team has effectively monitored compliance including financial management, risk analysis and partners Faceform/Trend of the spending plans. Ongoing coaching and technical support to the partners in regard to checking balances, financial support documents, accuracy and consistency of the financial records have been maintained throughout the semester. This support has contributed to strengthening the capacity of the partners to better provide financial reports in a timely manner and fully comply with the UN Women finance policy. UN Women office facilities have been regularly monitored and maintained and as a result the office has remained fully functioned despite the challenges of COVID-19. Office equipment including furniture and ITC have been provided to UN Women staff to implement the working from home modality when required.

SN OEE Output Area 4: UN Women Programme Presence Operations and Management Systems deliver client-focused services and quality results

In 2021 Cambodia office was undergoing a significant transition from a Country office to Programme Present/NRA. This resulted in significant Operations workflow changes from Cambodia to remote support from the Regional Office Management and Operations team. Despite these challenges the team was able to perform effectively. Month-end and year-end closure were fully on-track. Office Assets were firmly controlled, and data management and backup were fully implemented using cloud technology corporate to SharePoint, OneDrive, and procedure of submission for procurement, HR, finance through service tracker and RoAP Helpdesk Systems. The team adapted to working from home, operationalizing the BCP and adopting remote working practices and keeping up regular meetings and collaborations despite significant periods of working from home during 2021 due to COVID pandemic. The COVID 19 Cambodia community breakout - 28 Feb 2021 event, where the government set a curfew and banned for face-to-face events, restricted international and local travelling within and across the provinces which impacted the delivery of programme activities as plan despite moving meetings/trainings/workshops online which resulted in some unspent budget and moving some activities and budget to 2022. However, with close monitoring and action being taken to comply with end year budget revision and end year closure, in a result, the Cambodia delivery rate utilization rate was 95% as of 31 December 2021.