Accountability at UN Women
UN Women is committed to independent and objective oversight to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations.
Independent Evaluation and Audit Services | UN Office of Internal Oversight Services
UN Ethics Office | Accountability framework
Independent Evaluation and Audit Services
The Independent Evaluation and Audit Services (IEAS), provides independent evaluation and internal audit assurance, as well as advisory services, to management on UN Women’s programmes, controls, business systems, and processes to identify good practices, provide recommendations for improvement, and contribute to learning. The Charter governs the mandate, responsibilities, and activities of the IEAS.
IEAS is supported by two services; the Independent Evaluation Service and the Internal Audit Service.
- Independent evaluation at UN Women is defined as a systematic and impartial assessment that provides credible and reliable evidence-based information for understanding the extent to which an intervention has achieved or made progress (or lack thereof) towards intended and unintended results on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
- Internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations.
United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services
The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) of the United Nations has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing investigation services to UN Women.
United Nations Ethics Office
The United Nations Ethics Office provides an independent, confidential, impartial, and professional resource for all UN Women staff and personnel, everywhere. The Ethics Office promotes an ethical organizational culture based on our shared values of integrity, accountability, transparency, and respect. The Ethics Office assists the Executive Director in ensuring that all personnel perform their functions consistent with the highest standards of integrity, as required by the Charter of the United Nations. The Ethics Office provide a secure, confidential environment, where personnel can feel free to consult on ethical issues and seek protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct.
Accountability framework
The following policies provide a cohesive framework aimed at creating and maintaining a harmonious working environment, ensuring that staff members do not engage in any wrongdoing, that all allegations of wrongdoing are reported promptly and investigated, that appropriate action is taken to achieve accountability, and that all personnel are protected from retaliation for reporting misconduct or cooperating with an investigation.
- UN Women harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority policy
- UN Women legal framework for addressing non-compliance with UN standards of conduct
- UN Women protection against retaliation policy
- Secretary-General’s Bulletin: Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse
In addition, the UN Women anti-fraud policy framework outlines UN Women’s current approach to the prevention, detection, and response to incidents of fraud. The anti-fraud policy framework compiles existing provisions set out in UN Women regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
In accordance with the UN Women legal framework for addressing non-compliance with UN standards of conduct, and in the interest of transparency, the Executive Director issues reports on disciplinary decisions taken during the preceding year and cases of misconduct (without the individuals’ names) that have resulted in the imposition of disciplinary measures.
