Interview of Inspector Victor Moraru

Please say a few words about “who you were” in your professional life before joining the JIU?

I have an extensive work experience in the field of multilateral affairs, with a focus on United Nations activities and programmes. During my diplomatic career, I served as Moldova’s representative to various legislative, functional and subsidiary organs of the United Nations system organisations, including bodies concerned with coordination, evaluation and budgetary matters. Over the years, I participated in many specialised meetings and debates, including on various reform proposals aimed at improving organizational effectiveness, accountability and the UN system-wide coherence with a view to support the implementation of UN global agreements and mandates.

What about the JIU do you find most attractive in terms of its role in the UN system and the value it can add?

By virtue of its system-wide oversight mandate, the JIU provides participating organizations and member states with a comprehensive overview of some of the most pressing issues and challenges. Through its system-wide or single organizations reviews, the JIU reports have spearheaded significant positive changes to participating organizations and have enhanced the capacity of the United Nations system in managing change. The important role of JIU as an agent for change across the United Nations system is highly regarded by member states. This role should remain prominent and sustained through further JIU specific contributions.

When the opportunity arises, what subjects would you like to work on during your tenure at JIU?

The JIU Strategic Framework for 2020-2029 delineates four thematic areas of focus. Given my previous professional experience, I would feel more inclined to work with subjects related, but not restricted to, governance arrangements and mechanisms, as well as inter-agency coordination.

I would also include in this category projects dealing with organizational and managerial changes. As a matter of fact, the JIU annual programs of work are rich with such subjects and due attention is given to topics with a focus on issues of special importance to the whole membership in the United Nations system, including those related to UN reforms and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What are you looking forward to in your first JIU report?

My first review deals with the “Business Continuity in the United Nations system”, a topic that warrants special attention, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and which has been proposed by several JIU Participating Organizations (POs). The review will assess, among others, the current status of business continuity management (BCM) policies and practices across the UN system and how prepared UN organizations are to respond to disruptive events. It will also identify and recommend good practices and measures aimed at ensuring continuity and resilience of POs’ operations and delivery on mandates, including in the context of long-term disruptions like the current pandemic.

How have you settled into the JIU and Geneva, so far – especially considering the extraordinary circumstance due to COVID?

Despite some challenges, my on-boarding and settling in have not raised major problems. The advice and assistance received from the JIU Secretariat, coupled with my familiarity with Geneva and advance preparation helped me to handle satisfactorily various issues, including those generated by the COVID-19 related limitations.