The UNOPS accountability framework and oversight policies, prepared pursuant to Executive Board decision 2008/13, provide a comprehensive overview of UNOPS accountability and oversight practices. Among other things, the framework sets out the UNOPS oversight mechanisms and processes, and the roles and responsibilities of designated authorities both within and outside the organization.

The Executive Board reviews the reports of oversight bodies at its sessions. All reports and other documents submitted to the Executive Board are available on the Executive Board documents pages of this website. View recent accountability and oversight reports.

The main oversight bodies are:

The Internal Audit and Investigations Group (IAIG)

IAIG provides independent and impartial assurance and advice designed to improve UNOPS operations. It helps the organization achieve its objects by assessing the adequacy of management controls and performance.

The Strategy and Audit Advisory Committee (SAAC)

SAAC provides the Executive Director with external, independent, senior level advice regarding the organization’s strategic, business, and audit objectives including any significant risk management issues. Current members include: 

• Gunilla Hesselmark: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s Quality Assurance Director and Chairman of Project Committee as well as member of the Advisory Board of the Swedish Agency for Development Evaluation.  
• Robin McPhail: One of the founders and currently a senior adviser with  Emerging Markets Group.

The Ethics Officer

The Executive Board

The United Nations Board of Auditors (BoA)

The General Assembly established the BoA to audit of the accounts of the United Nations organization and its funds and programmes and to report its findings and recommendations to the Assembly through the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.

The Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations System

The independent external oversight body of the United Nations system mandated to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations system-wide.

The Fifth Committee of the General Assembly

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) is the main committee of the General Assembly entrusted with responsibilities for administration and budgetary matters.

The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)

Among its tasks, ACABQ examines the administrative budgets of the specialized agencies and proposals for financial arrangements with such agencies. It also considers and reports to the General Assembly on the auditors’ reports on the accounts of the specialized agencies.

Recent accountability and oversight reports

Key reports submitted to the Executive Board in 2009/2010:

• ACABQ Report on the biennial budget of UNOPS for 2010-2011 followed by UNOPS management comments
• UNOPS budget estimates for the 2010-2011 biennium
• UNOPS Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013
• 2009 Annual Statistical Report on UN Procurement
• Annual report of the Executive Director to the Executive Board
• Report of the UNOPS Internal Audit Office on internal audit services to the organization in 2009
• UNOPS Business Strategy 2007–2009

From the United Nations Board of Auditors:

• Financial report and audited financial statements for the biennium ended 31 December 2009 and Report of the United Nations Board of Auditors

Secretary-General's bulletins

• ST/SGB/2009/1 - Authority of UNOPS in matters relating to human resources management

International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

• UNOPS IPSAS Implementation Programme