SDL commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
6 mins ago
Detlef et al: I commend you for your persistence in trying to ensure that UNICEF remains relevant. Moving the chess pieces around is comforting to the 13th floor, as movement gives a sense of momentum -- and yet they are different. And then there is the chimera of operating systems, which we on a decadal basis adopt we have had homegrown PROMs, Off the shelf VISION and yet with all these tools, are unable to actually attribute results to many of our interventions. In part because in many countries, capacities have developed, services can be delivered by national or regional actors. Because we are now in environments, where the core-periphery gap is acute. We have stuff in our DNA that points the way: the transition of Supply Div from warehousing to become a procurement arm for some of the UN system. WFP seems to be doing it with UNHAS ( flight services at the sharp end). The current regional support structures could be beefed up, so that when C.Os need support its a SWAT team and not a lone expert, who can be swamped. While we attribute intra UN relations to HQs, in the last formulation of UN reform, it appears that our team dropped the ball, leaving the UNDP ( Archiac and predatory) to dominate the terrain. Of course, the donors are also to blame in pushing hobby horses and foisting RBM on the system, when so many in metropolitan organizations saw through this. In the end the politically inconvenient question: Is the ExDir always to be a U.S citizen? If so, are we getting the best that the U.S has to offer? While Jim Grant has now been, deservedly so, been held up as an ideal, today, when the world seems to have fewer folks of that stature, surely the thing to have is a robust mission and flexible systems. Like everything, systems, not matter how clunky work because those who work within it make it work -- that has been UNICEF's secret: up and down the line, a quantum of folks at all levels who use their knowledge and gumption to make the system work. BTW, all this exertion but is anyone listening...Regards...Samphe ps: At the more strategic level, pity that the solutions to move the grain from the Ukraine to markets seeem not to involve the U,N system in any significant way: But here is a pipedream: 1. Sec Gen negotiates with the Ukraine and Russian Federation to see if they would be open to UN flagged ships ( Minesweepers and convoy escorts) from navies acceptable to both side -- Indian, Egyptian, Brazil and South African. Not a hint of NATO... 2. Cargo ships from countries acceptable to both sides 3. Timebound and target based... UN gets kudos, those who need it get the grain, Ukraine gets paid and even Russia looks goodish...Win Win Win, WIn
John Skoda commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
18 hours ago
Lou Mendez et al are correct. NB: That the methodology to deal with organizational change and development is well established. It involves staff at all levels and at all offices in pointing out where there are bottlenecks (where the shoe pinches). This data then is analyzed to show what are root causes and what are merely symptoms of disfunction (or sub-optimal operations). From this one can then design interventions that deal with the issues and thus lead to more effective and efficient operations. This can also enhance job satisfaction and ensure that UNICEF continues to be well regarded as it serves its great purpose.
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
20 hours ago
With at least 8 HQ locations and 8 regional Offices, UNICEF is becoming to look like an octopus with tentacles in many places. The problem is that with such a dispersion of senior professionals the organization is missing a focal point where a critical mass of thinking, reflection, planning and managing can be accomplished. If we add to this Copenhagen, Budapest and...??? it becomes terribly difficult for a field officer to know who and where to turn to for advice and support and yet, the prime objective of all these localities is always mentioned as being "support to the field !"
Fouad Kronfol commented on "A Quick Chat with Yoshi Uramoto"
20 hours ago
Greetings Yoshi San. Enjoyed your chat with Tom, and finally put a face to the name. I definitely remember your stint at HQ and am glad that it eventually led you to more important posts in UNICEF and in other Agencies. I also enjoyed your earlier article in our Newsletter and encourage you to continue sending in materials from time to time...this is how we stay connected with former colleagues. With best wishes for your continued "running" as it will certainly keep your physical and mental health at optimum levels.
Ken Gibbs commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
Yesterday
Your analysis is razor sharp, as always. Why is it, I ask myself, that when it comes to making policy and strategic decisions, plain common sense seems to be conspicuously absent ? With such an array of Headquarters Locations, can one assume that the UNICEF Board will rotate it’s meeting venues between Istanbul, Florence, Valencia, Budapest, Brussels, Nairobi, Helsinki and Stockholm. Or will they do it on Zoom to save money, I wonder ? I am struggling to see where the welfare of children is addressed – and how it will be described in terms that we lesser mortals can understand. Or has UNICEF now developed beyond children into a mega-bureaucracy ? In sadness for kids. . . . . .
2 days ago
This is a sad commentary on the operational shortcomings of UNICEF. Although simply spending for the sake of spending is NOT the right answer, there must be a critical analysis why the organization is amassing such huge amounts, what are the drawbacks to programme expenditure, and how can the management resolve this matter. From a fund-raising point of view this accumulation of assets will also adversely affect donors' appetite for additional funding of UNICEF activities in the future.
Lou Mendez commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
2 days ago
Bravo Detlef.. fully agree such a transition is overdue as we were getting too stale and comfortable in NY. From my minority take - such changes will only succeed if we are to look into our internal business processes, policies and controls and update them to how other current nimble international organisations work. There are good models out there. These mentioned topics in our organisation are so outdated that the only way some of these were slightly adjusted was because "VISION" would not allow it. Might as well take the opportunity to do this now as the organisation is transitioning and try adopting the new ways of working,.... or else we just had an artificial facelift with the ongoing deficiencies and outdated controls still in place.
Nils Arne Kastberg commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
2 days ago
Thank you for your blog and the updates it brings. In 1980, when I started in UNHCR, the three big agencies - UNHCR, WFP and Unicef - had about seventy percent of the staff in field operations/programmes. Thirty percent - roughly - where support staff: admin, finance, assistants. That figure is likely exactly the opposite now. And to one of your many excellent points: who evaluates this seventy percent of the staff who love judging and evaluating the thirty percent who actually take the risks to achieve results?
Unknown commented on "Relocating the Jumble : Detlef Palm"
Jul 7, 2022
Every country programme should be independently evaluated with regard to the difference it has made for children's rights over the time period. Wouldn't this help re accountability and learning?
Jul 6, 2022
Dear Nick, Great to receive your note, I enjoyed your company thoroughly whenever we were together. You are far more in the picture concerning what is going on in UNICEF than I am. I never could have imagined that this restructuring would have been conceived by an interim group prior to an incoming EXDIR and team taking up the reins. I was puzzled by there being four Deputies. Nigel Fisher learned from Google that they are for: - Programmes - Partnerships - Field Results and Innovation - Management When I think of Directors of the Programme Division with the abilities of Manou Assadi and Joe Judd, unless there are none left with that kind of field experience and savvy, I find it hard to imagine detailed supervision from the Deputy level being useful, particularly if Deputy appointments are heavily influenced by political considerations (geographic distribution at a minimum). Do you remember Tarlok Singh? He was said to have been brilliant in India’s government. In any case he was a good deal less useful when he became a UNICEF Deputy concerned with programmes. Fortunately, Heyward and Egger covered HQs needs in that regard. Singh was quite content to ne responsible for a combination of window dressing and flowery comments. (I had a lot to do with him for a couple of years and it involved listening to pronouncements rather than guidance.) THE logic of splitting into separate silos programmes, field results and innovation completely escapes me. These three are productive when there is sound leadership and management at country office level. If supervision in detail is to be managed from NYHQs it will be difficult, given any logical management span of control. The logic of tri-partite supervision from NYHQs of key aspects of the delivery of UNICEF assistance at field level is, one might say, not immediately obvious. Surely we do not have the complete picture. If however the reorganization lacks some elements of a complete picture, we can hope that some experienced board members may weigh in strongly. Tony
Jul 6, 2022
Dear Tony, Hi. How wonderful to hear from you. I hope you're well and that your liking the summer weather. The overriding thing for us is really just the extent of the fait acompli created in a power vacuum with rapid turnover of ExDirs in fairly rapid succession and the fact that the incoming ExDir Cathy Russell won't have the opportunity to articulate her leadership vision, choose her own senior team and develop her own relationship with staff and the executive board. What we have is a a situation that's already been decided by an executive Ad Interim DED and a coterie of friends leaving the incoming team with no option but to accept the changes being readied for implementation. I therefore agree, no matter what, that any friends of children and UNICEF especially our Nordic friends should be given a heads up about what's been cooked and ready to be served and if the interest is there, that they get given the opportunity of a full briefing. All good wishes and Best regards, Nicholas Alipui M.D.
Jul 6, 2022
Thanks for helping to bring the news of a planned massive reorganization of UNICEF to my attention, along with so many other ex-UNICEF folks. Well done. I sent earlier comments to Tom and Kul. Unfortunately, anyone/any group of folks with senior level credentials but too little savvy to imagine that a staff as dedicated as that of UNICEF might like to know the objectives and how UNICEF will be better as a result of massive reorganization will be absolutely impervious to opinions from experienced ex-UNICEFers. Kul’s approach with gentle persuasion has the best chance for encouraging second-thoughts, but I wouldn’t bet the farm. The proposal seems about as sensible, but potentially more damaging as the long ago insistence by the Danish delegation to UNICEF that there be four Board meetings a year. One hopes that there are sensible Board members that will give the proposal a second thought. I wonder if the days of Board members of the calibre of Nils Thedin are totally in the past. If not, the Nordic countries as a group might see the light. I will give Maggie Catley-Carlson a call. Tony
Jul 6, 2022
I learned with much sadness the passing of an old colleague Mukalai Mwilambe with whom I had the pleasure of cooperating during my tenure in NYHQ as Chief, Africa Section. Also known as Jonas he was one of the most senior African staffers in UNICEF with considerable experience in West Africa. He served as Area Representative in Abidjan from 1977-1983 and again in Dakar from 1983-1988. Both offices covered a large number of countries which were eventually re-configured into independent country offices when the whole West Africa region was restructured in the mid 1980's. I always considered Jonas a thoughtful and learned man (his nickname was Mualimu, teacher) with a pleasant personality whom I respected for his devotion to improving the lives of African children. My condolences to his Family. May he Rest in Eternal Peace.
Jul 6, 2022
Replying on the points raised by Oscar Fernandez: The questionnaire was sent on behalf of the reunion committee which is so far composed of the XUNICEF members who volunteered to help organize the 2020 reunion in Toronto (Niloufar Pourzand, Mahendra Sheth, and Mahboob Sharif). The 2019 reunion agreed on Toronto as the venue for the next reunion. Sadly, the pandemic arrived and the Toronto team were forced to postpone the reunion in 2020 and 2021. The team now hopes that the situation will allow a resumption of plans in 2023. The Toronto team added two members who organized past reunions, Sree Gururaja and Blanca San German. On your question about how many responses we received - so far, 27 people responded. We will post a reminder next week and hope more will send in their responses. On skimming the Weekly Digest - as always we urge readers to browse through all the articles posted in the week and not simply open the few articles we mention in the Weekly Digest.
Jul 5, 2022
For Mary or anyone else finding difficulty in moving to the second page of the Reunion Questionnaire - be sure to click the 'Next' button at the bottom of each page. If that does not work, try the 'Click here' button in the introduction. This will take you directly to the questionnaire. If still you face a problem, just insert this link in your browser https://bit.ly/3OKTgDx Still not working? Let us know.
Jul 5, 2022
Amazing times Nuzhat - the best and worse times of humanity, friendship and the strength of the human spirit!
Jul 5, 2022
I am pleased to see our colleagues making substantive and persuasive comments on this mammoth new "re-imagining" of UNICEF. My own will be in a lighter way: Rubadubdub, rubadubdub, Four DDE's sat in a NYC tub, Proposing many a new HQ nub. They coopted others in the G-12 club, To avoid comments about the new rub And another management flub. For sustenance they went to a nearby pub And managed to get some grub Including a whopping hero/sub. Leaving UNICEF House they sang Rubadubdub, Rubadubdub, Let's move our HQ to Cub-a With a sub-hub In the isle of Aruba !!
Jul 5, 2022
The Roy Report also raises the issue of CEO compensation: according to charitynavigator.org (accessible from the UNICEF USA website unicefusa.org) and latest publicly available IRS form (through guidestar.org), the compensation of the (former) UNICEF USA CEO was 902,632 USD, in 2019.
Jul 5, 2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/science/maryna-viazovska-math.html Maryna Viazovska, a Ukrainian who is now a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is known for proofs for higher-dimensional equivalents of the stacking of equal- sized spheres. She is also only the second woman ever to win the Fields Medal.
Jul 5, 2022
I am just curious. One of the questions was "How many in your party, so that we can plan for hotel space" I was wondering, who is "WE". I am only asking because I organized the 2015 Budapest reunion and in that case "WE" were me and our good friend Judith, who is a professional event planner in London(That was huge help to me). Also, many XUNICEFers do not read the editorial. I always skim through it and almost missed this questionnaire. Also I think it'd be a good idea to consult previous organizers and get their experiences. Oh yes! One of the timing options was spring/summer of 2023. I will say, it took me one year to organize Budapest. The preparation and planning for such a reunion can be a nightmare. Food for thought! By the way, just curious, how many have you so far?
Jul 5, 2022
The book is a practical insight into what life is like in INGOs and UNICEF. The good thing about working with the UN, I can see that Krishna and UNICEF were able to influence whole governments.
Jul 5, 2022
According to para 69 of the (click) UNICEF financial report and audited financial statement, (A/76/5/Add.3), UNICEF recorded a surplus of $1.22 billion in 2020 (2019: $188.21 million), which is added to its net assets (reserves). According to para 70 in the same report, at the end of 2020, the total assets of UNICEF were $13.02 billion (2019: $11.17 billion)
Jul 4, 2022
A most amazing prospect for UNICEF and its future. I find your note very well thought out and crafted, striking, in my mind, a proper tone of concern, while at the same time knowledging the limitation of our x-unicef perspective on the current needs and working environment. Here are a few very misc. observations from my side for whatever they are worth. 1. Your note and the main UNICEF documents you link, are filled with a wonderful example example of insider alphabet soup. For one now over 20 years removed from the bureaucracy, it was challenging dealing with PBR, OoR, OGiP, DAPM, GCA, PFP and more. 2. From my partial exposure to younger working generations, I am aware that all sorts of new team working confirguations are being tried, expecially as they emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic. My visit last month to UNICEF HQs revealed just TWO staff members only actually at work on the three Programme Group floors of UNCEF house on 44th st. My daughter works with an innovative education IT services group that has no phyical HQ premises and its 20 staff scatter in six locations from California to New York. 3. A question that might be asked -- Is there any experinece of service organizations the size of UNICEF working from multiple locations/hubs across the world? Within the UN, bilateral aid, and NGO spheres? Is there any analysis of the costs & benefits of UNICEF's move from two to three "HQ centres" a few years ago. 4. None of the UNICEF documents linked give much perespective from the field network, although there is mention of "staff" input. If a major function of the HQ is to support the work of the much larger field network out on the frontline, how might actors on the front line view this major change and how it might enhance or complicate their own work? We've heard that many in the field view info and reports demands from HQ units to be the bane of their existance. 5. Although all levels of the UNICEF "secretariat" have theiir own bureaucracies -- small and large, HQs is in a sence THE BUREAUCRACY of the organization. With the considerable time, thought and resources invested so far in this major reorganization effort, are we parhaps not witnessing a bureaucracy preoccupied with its own systems and efficiencies, somewhat detatched from the core historical mission of the organization? Yet I do note that three of the four DptEDs do themselves have extensive UNICEF field experience. 6. Your highlighting the fact that the proposals do not yet seem to be linked to any visions of the new Executive Directdor, is a very important one. Thanks much for your initiative. Steve Umemoto
Jul 4, 2022
PS – Anyone/any group of folks with senior level credentials but too little savvy to imagine that a staff as dedicated as that of UNICEF might like to know the objectives and how UNICEF will be better as a result of massive reorganization will be absolutely impervious to opinions from experienced ex-UNICEFers. Kul’s approach with gentle persuasion has the best chance for encouraging second-thoughts, but I wouldn’t bet the farm. T.
Jul 4, 2022
Kul, I might not have missed this, but your note was certainly the first to bring it to my attention. Your comments – with vintage “Kul” diplomacy are clear, sensible and easy to agree with. I found no statement of objectives let alone a clear statement of a nature that has promise of motivating/encouraging a large proportion of currently active UNICEF staff. Every single UNICEF colleague that I valued was motivated by the highest and best principles of UNICEF and the United Nations. As I think back to the days when Headquarters was contained on the 6th floor of the Alcoa building and the years that followed, the best of my colleagues were those who – sort of by osmosis, not by university degree or staff training – developed on their own, supported by like-minded senior and junior colleagues and national staff, to grasp the essence of what UNICEF needed to be. Kul, our colleagues cared. It’s not possible as an act of faith to drum up enthusiasm for a major change like the one that is apparently getting underway because it’s not (yet??) possible to know the objectives and how the changes will make UNICEF more effective in delivering assistance to the poorest children, mothers and families. I will follow this with interest. Tony
Jul 4, 2022
I could easily complete the form and submit
Rita Chhablani commented on "Where I Live - Las Vegas: Lou Mendez"
Jul 4, 2022
Hi Lou, Were you posted in UNICEF Delhi at any time? I am Rita Jagtiani. My husband Kumar was in Delhi. What a lovely article and pictures of Vegas. The city has such energy. Thoroughly loved the article and pictures.
Jul 3, 2022
Congratulations & thanks Augustine Velliath for coming out with this book on Jim Grant with such a fitting and beautiful title & subtitle. Can't wait to get my hands on it for a dose of inspiration in these discouraging times. kulgautam@hotmail.com
Jul 3, 2022
The questionnaire about the possible XUNICEF reunion for 2023 does not allow a move to the next final slide. Mary Raceslis
Jul 3, 2022
Abuse of authority was always there and will always be.
Jul 3, 2022
What a hubbub! The organization is in a crisis, even if ever-growing funding may seem to suggest the opposite. The success of UNICEF should not be measured according to budget size, but in tangible results for children. Reorganization of HQ has been long overdue. The hubs will allow HQ staff to recongregate in new comfortable duty stations, while many will still be working from their homes. Why not relocating so called HQ positions directly into programme countries? At least, senior staff would be able to directly observe the effects of their work.
Jul 3, 2022
HQ structures become ends in themselves and the organization justifies its existence by its means and not by the ends it should seek to achieve. The actors in the bureaucracy then become locked into meaningless behaviors, and by losing sight of the objectives to be achieved, end up adopting heavy processes and routine attitudes. Routine behavior leads to communication difficulties between the different levels of the hierarchy. Staffs in this hierachy are unable to grasp the logic of their functioning and often get lost in unnecessarily complex cogs and procedures that only serve to maintain the power of the actors. The poor flow of information leads to the obscuring of issues and parameters necessary for effective decision making. In the absence of transparency of information, tendencies toward nepotism and authoritarianism multiply.
Jul 3, 2022
Some of the proposed locations for re/deployment of UNICEF structures are hosted by countries led by non democratic leaders, questioning the rules of law and/or limiting freedom of expression, of movement, etc. Not sure it is a signal UNICEF should send these days.
Jul 3, 2022
great to see these guys!!!Mike Corbett
Solofo Ramaroson commented on "The Cannonball Puzzle : Detlef Palm"
Jul 3, 2022
Thanks Detlef! Excellent exercise for a quiet Sunday morning.
Jul 2, 2022
Such a sad reminder of what Baquer and Siamak have suffered. I continue to hold both in my heart and prayers. I have been reading about the poverty of empathy that we have in the United States but also how exhausting it is to give a damn (John Pavlovitz). The bravery of father & son in the face of such injustice provides energy to continue our battles for justice and sanity in a world that seems to be self destructing. Nancy
Jul 2, 2022
Dear Baquer Jaan, I am deeply saddened. I hope this situation comes to an end and soon. Holding you and your family in my heart! Nuzhat
John Skoda commented on "A Quick Chat with Tony Kennedy"
Jul 2, 2022
Tony's concern about (overly) detailed reporting reminds me of the best reporting model (and the worst) that I encountered. The best was from Dr. M. Irwin in
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Dear Sree Gururaja, what a pleasure to talk to you on the phone after such a long time. Thank you for calling. I hope to see you in September before your next leg of travel. All the best. A big hug! Gulbadan
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