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Participants at the WCA Region AA Training Workshop, Dakar

At the recent training workshop in Dakar for AAs in the WCA Region, Sophie Diadhiou Keita (the elected USSA representative in the WCA Region) made a presentation on behalf of the Staff Association.

Sophie was happy to clarify the role of the USSA to her colleagues in the region and informed them about what issues we have been concentrating on recently, including monitoring regional responses to the SOS. Staff were particularly interested in how USSA interacts with the administration at HQ level and she explained that we represent staff on the SMT, MRC and APC as well as through our regular meetings with the EXO, DXD, DRM and HRM.

The session was a great opportunity to answer questions about the exact role of USSA at country level, particularly with regard to the benefits of adhering to the Staff Association from the point of view of national staff on UNDP contracts. Sophie was happy to clear up participants concerns in this regard, so much so that all of the participants unanimously by agreed to fill in the USSA membership form and comply with rules and regulations of the Association such as paying 2/1000 of their salaries to an AIDS Association in their respective countries.

Participants actively participated in the session and discussed issues of real concern in their daily work, such as:

-          UNAIDS/SSA contracts: There is an ongoing discussion with Finance and TOS to render such contracts more “humane” and find a more suitable solution.

-          Participation of local GS Staff in the New Staff Orientation: An issue which USSA is pursuing with the People Development Unit in Geneva.

-          Harmonization of UNDP/WHO contracts: Again this is an issue which USSA is following at all levels and hope to have some clarity soon

-          Access to UNDP E-learning facilities:  An issue which USSA is pursuing with the People Development Unit in Geneva.