Portfolio dashboards with a set of performance trackers are extensively used by Directors and teams, while the Senior Management Team holds Quarterly Business Review (QBR) meetings. The QBR uses a “traffic light system” to track portfolio performance, funds utilization, donor and implementing partner management, audit and evaluation and related management issues. 

A high performing team – that reflects the United Nations

UNEP works in strict accordance with Article 101/3 of the UN Charter which provides that the paramount consideration in the employment of staff and in the determination of the conditions of service shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. The Article further stresses that due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. 

Pursuant to this goal, UNEP held over 30 talent outreach events around the world to engage potential candidates from across regions. Through these outreach events, UNEP reached more than 16,500 potential applicants, establishing UNEP as a leader in talent outreach within the UN Secretariat. 

UNEP also welcomed the first cohort of the Young Talent Pipeline, which aims to attract high talent junior professionals from regions where young people might not typically consider applying for a UNEP Headquarters job. A second cohort is in the final selection phase. 

Consistent outreach for top talent is yielding early results. The number of professional-level staff from less-represented geographical regions jumped 10 per cent between 2023 and 2024.