Outcome PAL_O_4

Improved management of financial and human resources to achieve results

The implementation of this output cluster is partially on track. Real delivery rate (preliminary) was 94 per cent. Individual work plans for staff were developed and linked to CO AWP, with regular feedback by supervisors, as well as through regular staff meetings. CO staff and personnel are compliant with mandatory on-line trainings. The capacity of the operations, finance and programme staff to deliver is high (timely month-end closure, liquidated advances to partners, recording agreements and reports to DAMS, etc.). The country office achieved 100 per cent compliance on all corporate requirements including but not limited to: monthly certifications, office procurement planning, liquidation and monitoring of aged advances, zero observations on NIM audit results, and timely project closures and closure of all aged (legacy) projects. The percentage of Core used to cover the salaries i n 2021 is 64 per cent out of the decreased Core allocation (based on the 31 per cent reduced Core allocation). In 2018, the ratio was 84 per cent, this has been lowered in 2019 to 77 per cent. PALCO in line with its AERR-based Donor Strategy continue to provide even more timely and higher-quality reporting as well as ensuring the delivery of the different programmes in line with approved plans; in 2021 PALCO had submitted on time all of donor reports. The PALCO successfully managed to reopen all office locations end of Q2 2021, all staff personnel received the COVID-19 vaccination, mostly through UN country team coordination with local authorities and a plan was developed and implemented for the gradual return to office in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza, all in line with the local governments health measures and respecting all COVID-19 restrictions. In May 2021, Israel launched a large-scale military attack on Gaza Strip. The three UN compounds in Gaza suffered collateral damage during the latest bombardments. While the floor of the offices in which UN Women is located were only slightly impacted, their floor had to be clean and the corridor's ceiling had to be refixed. Our colleagues went back to the office once the building was reopened a few days after the cease-fire. Despite the bombardments and the unsafe situations, our five colleagues in Gaza continued their work to the best of their abilities, unreliable internet connection and electricity availability, while some were hosting members of their extended families and other people who were in need of a place to stay. In light of their perseverance, they were awarded the Perseverance Award by the organization. The PALCO went through an internal audit beginning of 2021, The internal audit resulted in Satisfactory overall assessment. The PALCO developed an audit plan in response to the audit report recommendations and initiated implementing some of the actions and will complete all actions by Q1 2022. As per the corporate COs typology exercise, the PALCO was categorized as a Large Office. The office has grown throughout the years and expanded portfolio from an average $5-6 million to $9.5 million in 2021.