News & Events

JIU Seminar, 5th February 2019 The practice and opportunities of using behavioural approaches in organizational change management: Lessons and opportunities for the UN system

The UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) Change Management Review Team in collaboration with the UN System Staff College (UNSSC) hosted a seminar on the 5th February 2019 on the topic of the practice and opportunities of using behavioural approaches in organizational change management: Lessons and opportunities for the UN system.

JIU Inspectors Eileen Cronin and Aicha Afifi introduced the Review of Whistle-Blower Policies and Practices at UNOG Executive Briefing

Representatives of 26 member States and eight organizations took part in the UNOG Executive Briefing on Tuesday, 25 September 2018 in Geneva.

JIU review of management and administration in UNOPS presented to UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board

Executive Board discussed the JIU review of management and administration in the United Nations Office for Project Services and UNOPS commitment to follow up on the recommendations as a source for improvement. Inspector Gönke Roscher introduced the recent JIU review of management and administration in the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) during the UNOG segment of the meeting of the joint UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board on 5 September 2018 in New York.

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) issues a report on its review of whistle-blower policies and practices in UN system organizations JIU/REP/2018/4

Whistle-blowing and protection against retaliation (PAR) policies and practices are essential components of organizational accountability and integrity. This topic has taken on increasing importance in recent years given several high profile cases of whistle-blowers from United Nations system organizations who have gone public for a variety of reasons.

Progress report on the recommendations contained in the review of South-South and triangular cooperation in the United Nations System (JIU/REP/2018/3)

As requested by the General Assembly, the Joint Inspection Unit conducted a review of progress made on the implementation of the 12 recommendations contained in the 2011 JIU report on South-South and triangular cooperation in the United Nations system (JIU/REP/2011/3). Since 2011 notable progress has been made. A system-wide policy framework and definitions of South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) have been provided. The majority of United Nations entities covered by this review have established dedicated SSTC units or focal points at their headquarters.

JIU/REP/2018/3: JIU Review of Management and Administration in the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

The Joint Inspection Unit has recently completed a review of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). UNOPS is a unique entity among the United Nations system organizations acting as the operational arm of the United Nations supporting the implementation of its partners’ peace building, humanitarian and development projects around the world with an annual portfolio of around a thousand projects, a total project delivery of 1.45 billion USD in 2016 and a workforce of around 4,000.

JIU/REP/2018/1: Review of internship programmes in the United Nations system

The United Nations system is going through an in-depth reform to align its functioning with its core mandates and to introduce simplified processes for more effective and efficient delivery of its work. The present review addresses the role of internship programmes as part of ongoing reform of human resources management in the United Nations system. It covers the period between 2009 and 2017, during which the size of internship programmes in the United Nations system grew significantly.

Three hundred participants and one hundred panellists gathered in Geneva for the Conference on the partnerships with the private sector

The Conference on “Public – private partnership for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (Geneva, 10-13 April 2018), convened by the Joint Inspection Unit and the World Association for Sustainable Development, based at the University of Sussex, brought together more than 300 registered participants, in addition to Geneva-based diplomats and public servants.

The Joint Inspection Unit at the opening of the Vienna workshop on knowledge management

On 21 March 2018, Inspector Petru Dumitriu, coordinator of the JIU report on Knowledge Management in the United Nations system (JIU/REP/2016/10) made a key-note intervention, by skype, at the opening of the workshop organized by the Knowledge for Development Partnership in Vienna. The workshop focussed on knowledge management (KM) in international organisations, with the participation of Vienna-based international organisations and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

Inspector Prom Jackson at Workshop for Member States on the Revised UNICEF Evaluation Policy

Inspector Sukai Prom-Jackson was invited by the UNICEF Evaluation Office (NY) to a Workshop for Member States on the Revised UNICEF Evaluation Policy. As a member of an expert panel including Susanne Frueh, Chair of UNEG and Director of UNECSO Internal Oversight Service and Deborah Rugg, Executive Director of Claremont Evaluation Center New York. Inspector Prom Jackson presented on Creating a dynamic, responsive and responsible evaluation system through a forward looking evaluation policy.

Results-based management in the United Nations system

United Nations system organizations have been implementing results-based management (RBM) since 2002. Its value has been highlighted in resolutions of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system between 2004 and 2016. Results based management has been adopted in many parts of the world as organizations focus on delivering tangible improvements and changes that add value.

RBM in the United Nations system: High Impact Model for RBM: benchmarking framework, stages of development and outcomes (JIU/NOTE/2017/1)

The model was developed with the intensive involvement of over 25 UN system organizations. It responds to demand from organizations for a common basis for conceptualizing and for collaboration and sharing knowledge about RBM. The model is aligned with the QCPR outcome areas. It provides a basis for self- or peer assessment of stage of development and outcomes of RBM. The assessment methodology allows for a valid assessment across organizations. It was thus used in the JIU study outlined next.

The United Nations system – Private sector partnership arrangements in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides unique momentum for a renewed engagement of the private sector. The report identified several ways of improving the existing arrangements for cooperation with the private sector as to reflect the holistic, integrative and universal approach of the 2030 Agenda. The report looks into the supporting framework provided by the United Nations system to facilitate the contribution of the private sector with regard to several aspects: legal, financial, administrative, operational and motivational.

Review of donor-reporting requirements across the United Nations system (JIU/REP/2017/7)

The rise in voluntary contributions, most of which is specified (or earmarked), over the past two decades has been dramatic. In the United Nations system, it amounted to about 70 per cent of total revenue in 2015. Most donors demand detailed individual reports, financial and programmatic, on the activities undertaken utilizing their earmarked contributions. This reporting is in addition to the organization’s corporate reporting to its governing bodies.

Welcome to the new JIU website

Welcome to the revamped website of the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations  system, launched in February 2018. The site provides our visitors with information about the Unit and its contribution to the United Nations system and keeps them informed about the release of the reports and notes published by the Inspectors. This website also includes more examples of the work conducted by the JIU, clustered by themes such as management and administration, human resources, procurement, RBM, oversight etc.

Review of Air Travel Policies in the United Nations System: Achieving Efficiency Gains and Cost Savings and Enhancing Harmonization (JIU/REP/2017/3)

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) has recently issued a report on air travel policies in the United Nations System that reviewed and assessed relevant air travel regulations, policies and practices and examined their implementation across the United Nations system organizations. The report was undertaken following calls from the General Assembly to improve the management of air travel and the effective and efficient use of air travel resources, as a matter of urgency.

Review of Management and Administration in the Universal Postal Union (UPU) (JIU/REP/2017/4)

The Joint Inspection Unit recently issued a report reviewing the management and administration of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). It articulates the highly complex environment in which the organization operates and the multiple challenges that it faces, mainly generated by economic and technological developments, fundamental market changes and an erosion of its financial base. During the past years the organization has undergone several reforms to secure its operational capacity and relevance in the postal market.

Donor-led Assessments of the United Nations System Organizations (JIU/REP/2017/2)

As extrabudgetary or voluntary contributions have become essential for most United Nations system organizations to pursue their mandates, donors are increasingly undertaking their own assessments of these entities and their programmes to ensure that their funds have been used efficiently, and for intended purposes and with the expected levels of accountability. These bilateral assessments have been proliferating in recent years, giving rise to expressions of concern from the management and oversight bodies.

Joint Inspection Unit invited to the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System

The Joint Inspection Unit team that is undertaking a review on “Strengthening policy research uptake in service of the 2030 Agenda” was invited to participate in the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS).

Invitation to the International Conference on partnerships with the private sector

The Joint Inspection Unit kindly invite interested staff to the International Conference on “Public – Private Partnership for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda”, which will take place at the Palais des Nations, from 10 to 13 April 2018, in Conference Room XVII. Ms. Arancha Gonzaléz, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, and Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe will deliver key-note opening statements on this occasion. Three ministers from developing countries are expected to participate in the Conference as well.