... in Touch

Dear Colleagues,

Following an extremely insightful meeting with the Staff Association on 30 January, we would like to share with you the key outcomes that have emerged. We discussed many issues, and it was a pleasure for us to realize that we hold the same understanding on issues that are of particular concern to staff. In sharing a broad and long term vision for UNAIDS,the Executive Director was happy to give his commitment to the Staff Association to move quickly on the key points agreed upon for the benefit of staff and UNAIDS as a whole.

We look forward to continuing this open dialogue to ensure the inclusion of the voice of staff in the re-energizing of UNAIDS.

Key points agreed upon at the 30 January 2009 meeting of the UNAIDS Secretariat Staff Association and the Executive Director

• Full involvement of USSA in the management response to the Second Independent Evaluation; that will include recommendations for the discussion at the PCB meeting in December 2009;
• Development of a project on inclusive leadership with input from the Staff Association;
• A reiterated commitment by the Executive Director to learning and training for all UNAIDS staff, irrespective of grade;
• Clear message by the Executive Director on zero tolerance on abuse and harassment;
• Development and implementation of an internal communication policy including development of an electronic platform to facilitate improved open communication at all levels;
• Commitment by the Executive Director to continue regular communication by email and explore options to share all relevant questions and answers to the ‘askmichel@unaids.org’;
• An agreement by the Executive Director to initiate discussions on unifying the dual administrative system of UNAIDS;
• Championing the Work-Life Balance Policy by the Executive Director including allocation of funds for crèche places at headquarters;
• Spearheading the approval and application of the Diversity Policy including leading the UN on the review of rules and regulations in regard to same-sex and domestic partnerships;
• Ensuring finalization, adoption and roll-out of the score card by Offices and Departments to measure progress and implementation of policies including follow-up action to the Staff Opinion Survey at HQ, RST and country level;
• Commitment to meet the targets set by the Chief Executive Board on a climate neutral UN.

Remember, together we can!

Michel & the UNAIDS Secretariat Staff Association