Dear Colleagues,
While our journey of organizational improvement and culture change is a continuous one, COVID-19 has expedited the need for transformative action. It is against this backdrop that we need to reimagine new and improved ways of working – a UNICEF that is more agile, creative and efficient in all areas of our work for children.
What we want to achieve – Our vision:
We are starting to articulate an organisational vision for reimagining the way we work, and we invite you to help shape it:
UNICEF is forward looking and forward leaning in how we accelerate results for children and young people. We embrace innovative approaches and technologies and apply these in creative and agile ways to realise a future fit for children. We respect, enable, and empower each other to do our very best for the world’s children.
To see the full vision statement click here to be part of the conversation and to contribute to shaping our vision.
How we will achieve this:
In order to realize our vision, we have identified the following four organizational improvement objectives:
Programme Acceleration: strengthen technical authority and accountability for results; promote excellence in programming, including managing cross-cutting expertise more effectively; moving expertise closer to where it can make a difference; and strengthening capacity for humanitarian action.
Cutting Edge Business Innovation: simplify, modernize and digitize business models and processes that increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Partnerships strengthening accelerate and adapt partnership models and systems that are fit for purpose in current and emerging realities. Simplify and streamline UNICEF’s partnerships model; renew UNICEF’s engagement in and with Europe; and accelerate five initiatives to deliver resource mobilization, campaign & advocacy goals.
Investments in People and Culture: including meaningful work, supportive management, positive work environments, growth opportunities, trust in leadership and management, and a strengthened HR system.
Linked to each of these objectives are priority organizational improvement projects at different stages of implementation, which you can view here. Each of these projects are led by dedicated Business Owners (Directors and Regional Directors) who are working with a diverse group of colleagues, including Staff Associations, Young UNICEF, and country and regional offices, to move us forward. Much of this work has been ongoing since 2019 with some projects initiated more recently.
What does this mean for staff and offices?
Our organizational improvement efforts will mean:
further decentralization to country offices, streamlining of processes, and excellence in programme technical support.
greater clarity around accountabilities and enhanced complementarity across different levels of the organization.
more agile and dynamic business models, and networked ways of working with greater use of digital approaches and cross-functional teams that free up staff time to focus on results.
improved flow of ideas and learning across the organization – divisions, regions, countries and national committees - with greater interaction and collaboration.
a more inclusive and people focused workplace, where we respect, enable, and empower each other to do our very best for the world’s children.
How can you be a part of this work?
Colleagues, we would like your help to co-create the ideas that will make us the best possible UNICEF.
Please click here to share your feedback on improvements already underway, your ideas on what more can be done to improve the way we work, or to ask questions. You can also share stories and experiences of organizational improvements taking place in your teams and offices at: improvementlab@unicef.org; or in the ‘Reimagining UNICEF’ Yammer Community!
For further information about this work, visit the dedicated Organizational Improvement SharePoint site, and read the latest update.
Colleagues, UNICEF has a long history of finding opportunities during unprecedented moments in time and using them to advance child rights and improve the lives of children and young people. Now is no different. I urge us all to contribute to reimagining our UNICEF - let us be unprecedented in our ambition for a transformed future.
With best regards,
Hannan
Hannan Sulieman | Deputy Executive Director | OED
UNICEF House, 3 UN Plaza, Room 1362, New York, NY 10017
Phone: +1 212 326 7014 | | Fax: +1 212 326 7758
Web: http://www.unicef.org