• UN Security Management System

Under the guidance of the CEB and HLCM, UN system organizations have developed a robust governance system for security management throughout the United Nations system. This was achieved with the acknowledgement that, while preserving a clear line of command, security management arrangements should reflect the concerns and needs of users. Governance mechanisms included cost-sharing arrangements to fairly and effectively distribute the costs among organizations participating in the system. The access is limited to HCLM registered members only.

• Dialogue with representatives of FICSA and CCISUA

At the HLCM biannual meeting the Committee conducts an exchange of views with the representatives of the Federation of International Civil Servants’ Associations (FICSA) and the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA)

• HLCM proposal on Business Practices

The proposed plan has recently received the formal endorsement of the Chief Executive Board and is framed within the context of the current review of the role and functioning of CEB and took into consideration the management coherence requirements arising from the launching of the “Delivering as One” Pilots. The package of proposals included in the Plan is built on the strong belief that improved business practices play an essential role in delivering better “programmatic” results and are, therefore, an important part of UN reform. The proposals developed by HLCM address a number of key areas, covering all the major management functions of UN system organizations: Human Resources, ICT, Finance and Budget. Initiatives for common action on Procurement and Legal matters are also expected to be added to the plan. The goal is to have some of the proposals completed in as short a period as eight months, with the most complex ones taking two to three years to be finalized. Taken together, the proposed activities represented a new level of commitment by the organizations of the UN system for a realignment and harmonization of business practices to respond to the new political demand for a coherent and effective UN system.

• HLCM Procurement Network - IAPWG

Its mandate is to promote the strategic importance of Procurement and Supply Chain Management in programme and service delivery in a transparent and accountable manner. Its programme of work furthers the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement function within the UN system, through, inter alia, collaborative procurement arrangements, simplification and harmonization of procurement practices, and by fostering professionalism amongst staff that are responsible for procurement. The Network, through information and knowledge sharing, promotes procurement opportunities to potential suppliers from developing countries, as well as those from countries with economies in transition, and also supports where possible capacity development for procurement in those countries where the UN organizations serve.

• HLCM Legal Network

This allows them to attain better protection of the interests of the entities concerned, while enabling them to carry out their respective mandates more effectively - for the benefit of Member States. This is particularly so at a time where integrated mandates and policies are adopted by intergovernmental bodies At the moment, the Legal Network is composed of two sub-networks: the sub-network of Legal Advisers of specialized and related agencies including approximately 23 members, and the sub-network of Legal Liaison Officers which brings together the chiefs or senior legal officers of offices away from headquarters, funds and programmes, regional commissions, ad hoc tribunals and treaty bodies institutionally linked to the UN, and includes approximately 26 members. A third sub-network, including the Chiefs or senior Legal Officers serving field missions led either by the department of peace keeping operations (DPKO)/the department of field support (DFS) or the department of political affairs (DPA), including approximately 30 members, is currently being established. The Legal Network is chaired by Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Nicolas Michel.

• Confidentiality of Internal Audit Reports

The issue of sharing Internal Audit Reports (IARs) with Member State representatives is under discussion within the context of HLCM, its Finance and Budget Network and the community of Internal Auditors of UN Organization, with the objective of developing a common, system-wide position on the matter.

• Senior Management Network

The CEB in 2004 has approved the creation of the Senior Management Network to strengthen managerial and leadership capacity, facilitate the devolution of responsibility and accountability and enhance inter-agency cohesion and coordination.