Outcome 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.