As part of its annual workplan, the Office of Internal Audit conducted an audit of WFP’s ad-hoc framework position abolition process, covering the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2026. The audit focused on governance, risk management and internal controls supporting the position abolition process under WFP’s ad-hoc framework and benchmarked against similar practices in other United Nations agencies to determine compliance, efficiency and effectiveness. During the audit period, WFP operated in a severely constrained financial environment following a sharp decline in contributions after October 2023. This triggered a range of workforce reduction measures, including a recruitment freeze, short-term and affiliate contract reductions, agreed separations, and the abolition of encumbered staff positions. Efforts to reduce WFP’s workforce during the period were substantial, with overall headcount declining from 22,438 in 2024 to 18,845 by March 2026 (down 3,593 positions, or 16 percent), including a reduction at Global Headquarters from 4,329 to 3,424 (down 905 positions, or 21 percent). In this context, WFP introduced in April 2024 the "Ad-hoc Framework on Management of the Staffing Implications of the Programme Support Administration Rebudgeting and Structural Realignment Exercise at Global Headquarters and Regional Bureaus" as a temporary instrument to manage workforce adjustments. WFP further extended the framework in December 2024 and January 2026 to remain in effect until December 2026.
The frameworks aimed to provide a structured and time-bound process governing position abolition, including retention order, areas of competition, human resources review mechanisms, staff consultation, and redeployment arrangements.
Based on the results of the audit, the Office of Internal Audit reached an overall conclusion of some improvement needed.
The frameworks aimed to provide a structured and time-bound process governing position abolition, including retention order, areas of competition, human resources review mechanisms, staff consultation, and redeployment arrangements.
Based on the results of the audit, the Office of Internal Audit reached an overall conclusion of some improvement needed.