EXECUTIVE BOARD 135th session Provisional agenda item 4
EB135/2 19 May 2014
Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board 1. The twentieth meeting of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee was held in Geneva from 14 to 16 May 2014 under the chairmanship of Dr Dirk Cuypers (Belgium). 1 The Committee adopted its agenda, with the deletion of items 2.9 and 2.10.2
Agenda item 3
Matters for review by and/or recommendation to the Executive Board
3.1
Evaluation: annual report (document EB135/5)
2. The Secretariat introduced the first annual report on evaluation under the new WHO evaluation policy. In addition to providing information on the progress made in implementing the evaluation policy, the report presents the lessons learnt from the evaluations conducted at WHO, and proposes the Organization-wide evaluation work plan for 2014–2015 for consideration by the Board. 3. The Committee was informed that the Global Network on Evaluation will continue its work in 2014, having identified priorities and consolidated the task forces required to further the implementation of the evaluation policy in crucial areas. 4. The Committee noted the continuing progress on strengthening the culture of evaluation, highlighted the need to actively promote evaluation through a communications and advocacy strategy and welcomed the initiative to develop an e-learning tool based on the WHO evaluation practice handbook. The Committee recommended that the Executive Board note the annual report on evaluation contained in document EB135/5 and approve the Organization-wide evaluation work plan for 2014–2015. 3.2 Annual report of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee (document EBPBAC20/3)
5. The Chairman of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Ms Marion Cowden, and to the other two members of the Committee, Mr John Fox and Mr Veerathai Santiprahbob, whose term expired in January 2014. He
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The list of participants is available in document EBPBAC20/DIV./1. Document EBPBAC20/1.
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also thanked the three new members, namely: Mr Steve Tinton, Mr Robert Samels and Mr Mukesh Arya. 6. On the topic of WHO reform, the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee highlighted both the need for a more effective communication strategy in order to engage staff at all levels and the importance of an effective human resource strategy for the successful delivery of WHO reform. 7. The Chairman of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee noted the significant efforts made by WHO’s management in respect of the internal control framework and the new accountability framework. 8. With regard to the audit reports of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee recommended that the management of the Organization adopt a specific plan of action to tackle the weaknesses noted, based on specific targets and indicators. The Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee highlighted the recurrence in the reports of the Office of weaknesses in controls in WHO country offices, often in the same areas of activity. 9. The Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee expressed its concern about the large unfunded long-term liabilities and recommended that their implications be duly noted by the governing bodies. 10. The Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee recommended that the Staff Health Insurance Fund be subjected to a high level of scrutiny and controls, and that its governance and reporting practices be revisited in order to enhance accountability and transparency. 11. The Committee shared the concerns of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee in respect of long-term unfunded liabilities of the Organization and the risks posed to the overall financial health of WHO. The Secretariat was urged to consider measures for managing and monitoring the matter. The Committee also appreciated the focus of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee on the Organization’s whistleblower policy. The Committee noted the annual report of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee contained in document EBPBAC20/3. 3.3 External and internal audit recommendations: progress on implementation (document EBPBAC20/4)
12. The Secretariat presented the report, noting that its purpose was to demonstrate the Secretariat’s commitment to implementing the recommendations made in the reports of the internal and external auditors, as well as to fully implement WHO’s internal control framework. 13. The Committee was informed that the Secretariat has given special attention to implementing long-standing audit recommendations, as well as recurrent issues highlighted in the audits, in areas such as the management of direct financial cooperation, procurement of services, imprest management and asset management. In that regard, although further improvements are still required, significant progress has been made and the Secretariat remains committed to tackling the remaining challenges as a matter of priority.
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The Committee noted the report on implementation of external and internal audit recommendations contained in document EBPBAC20/4. 3.4 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules (documents EB135/7 and EB135/7 Add.1)
14. The Committee considered the amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules, and the associated draft resolution. The following subjects were concerned: the effective date of the Staff Rules; assignment grant; appointment policies; determination of recognized place of residence; leave without pay; sick leave under insurance cover; and travel of spouse and children. The Committee recommended that the Executive Board adopt the draft resolution contained in document EB135/7.
Agenda item 4 15.
Adoption of the reports and closure of the meeting
The Committee adopted its report to the Executive Board.
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