JIU Presentation of Management and Administration in UN-Women at the 2nd Regular Session 2024 of the Executive Board

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) presented the comprehensive review of Management and Administration in the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women at the 2nd Regular Session 2024 of the UN-Women Executive Board. Inspectors Toshiya Hoshino and Mohanad Al-Musawi delivered the findings to the Executive Board at UNHQ in New York on September 10th 2024. 

The report was introduced by the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Women, expressing gratitude and appreciation for the work of the JIU regarding the recognition of UN-Women’s role in gender equality and women’s empowerment. UN-Women has accepted all five recommendations addressed to the Executive Director, while the remaining four will be further assessed by the Executive Board during its next sessions. 

Inspector Hoshino provided an overview of the review process, outlining key areas such as governance, executive management, accountability, financial resources, knowledge management and human resources. Recommendations included the reassessment of the financial framework, strengthening field presence initiative, enhancing the organization’s second line of defense, developing a corporate HR strategy for fieldwork and creating more opportunities for members of the Executive Board to exercise their oversight.   

Inspector Al-Musawi stressed the importance of implementing these recommendations within the framework of the 2030 Agenda, so that UN-Women can better fulfill its mandate as a UN entity.  

Ms. Jatfors as Director of the Strategy Planning, Resources and Effectiveness Division introduced UN-Women management response and emphasized the organization’s commitment to advancing recommendations. She noted that UN-Women is preparing these changes for the strategic plan for 2026-2029, by involving field presence within decision-making and effectiveness of management committees.  

The Executive Board adopted its decision 2024/12, taking note of the report and requesting that UN-Women provide a written update and informal briefing before the 2025 First Regular Session of the Board on the plan of Pivoting to Regions and Countries initiative.