Outcome UKR_O_4

Improved management of financial and human resources in pursuit of results

The CO continued to invest in staff development. A Procurement Associate and Office Administrative Assistant participated in the CIPS Level 3 Procurement Certification Programme and obtained certificates. A Programme Coordinator and six programme staff with management functions received access to the PRINCE2 project management certification programme, which is corporately considered as an asset for programmatic job descriptions. Induction sessions were provided by the Operations Manager and Finance Associate for the newly recruited staff on major procurement rules, ICF and DOA to ensure their speedy integration into working processes and full compliance with established procedures. All newly selected programmatic partners received a detailed legal and financial management induction by OM, the Finance Associate and the personnel of the respective projects. These sessions are conducted to ensure that all PCA partners have a full understanding of their legal obligations and their learning and reporting requirements, as well as audit expectations. Additional M&E trainings were conducted internally by the M&E Specialist (see Output Cluster UKR_O_3). The Office has timely submitted all Month-end, Year-end and Asset certifications. Ukraine CO has 100% compliance on timely PMD submissions. All personnel have completed mandatory courses, current level of compliance is 97% due to new staff being hired who is in process of completing courses within 6 months period. UN Women continued with its active participation in BOS implementation and started chairing the BOS Working Group in 2021, aimed at further consolidation of procurement, HR and common admin services. The office utilizes over 20 big LTAs, mainly through Participatory Level Agreements, which allows for significant procurement staff-time economy and overall process efficiency. All personnel without medical restrictions were vaccinated against COVID-19 to ensure a safe working environment and protect staff from the spread of infection. Although the CO continued to implement mainly distance working, the extent of project implementation remained at a high level. The project “Building Democratic, Peaceful and Gender Equal Society in Ukraine, Phase I” (funded by Norway) was closed operationally and financially in a timely manner, within four months of its end date and reaching 100 per cent delivery of the funds. Office has reached the highest delivery rate and monetary equivalent in the region – 5,1 mln. USD or 99% of utilization rate and 96% of delivery rate, which is the highest number since establishment of the office.

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.