text: priorities couldreachoptimum levels. Theimportance oftheprovision that existing agreements andcommitments shouldnotbeaffected bynewlyproposed procedures oncharges forsupplementary-funded projects wasnoted.Itwasfelt thatsupplementary funding should beviewedinthelightoftheneedfor flexibility (seeparas. 186-196 below). staffing 64.Delegations welcomed UNICEFefforts tocontrol theexpansion ofstaffat headquarters andwereencouraged tonotethattheproportion ofstaffserving in thefield,hadrisento83percent.Inaddition, withregardtorecruitment, UNICEF wasrequested tofollowthelinesofthebudgetary savings sought bythe UnitedNations. Thesecretariat reported thattherewouldbeanoverall reduction incorestaffatheadquarters. Onedelegation commented thatthateffort was commendable, provided thatthereduction wasnotaccompanied byanincrease in temporary staffandconsultants andrequested thattherewouldbecomplete openness regarding thecomposition andfunctions ofthestaff. Theimportance ofhaving UNICEF remain aneffective, field-oriented organization withmodestoverhead costs wasstressed, andonedelegation cautioned thattheincrease instaffintheregion should notovertake programme expansion. 65.Theworkperformed bythefieldstaff, whoassumed muchofthetechnical and administrative responsibility forcountry programming, wascommended bymany delegations. Onedelegation statedthatthecauseofUNICEF wouldnotbepromoted ifprogrammes lackedadministrative project support. Accordingly, itwashoped thatUNICEF wouldcontinue tofulfilitsfunctions notonlyinselecting and training capable staffbutalsoinsupporting theactivities ofitsfieldstaffso astoensure moreeffective programming. 66.Theviewwasalsoexpressed thatUNICEFshouldincrease theuseofnational personnel ineachcountry, whichwouldresultinamoreefficient useofresources whilealsostimulating progress towards self-reliance. 67.Itwasnotedwithsatisfaction thatUNICEF hadincreased thepercentage of womenoccupying International Professional posts(from24percentin1985to 27percentin1986)aswell'asNational Professional posts'(from28percentto 30percentinthesameperiod), anditwasfeltthattheorganizat"ion wouldreach itstargetof33petcentofseniorpostsbeingoccupied bywomenbefore 1990. The -11- importance ofachieving amoreadequate balance intherepresentation of nationalities amongstaffatheadquarters andinthefieldwasalsoemphasized (see paras. 197-203 below). UNICEF House 68.Itwasfeltbydelegations thatefforts should havebeenmadefromtheoutset topresent arelocation planthatwouldhaveentailed aslittleexpenditure as possible, because an.ostentatious UNICEF Housewoulddamagetheimageofthe organization. Asfaraspossible, thelimited resources available toUNICEFshould beusedforprogrammes inthefield. However, othersexpressed theirunderstanding oftheproblems facedinestablishing thenewUNICEFofficeinNewYork,giventhe financial limitations facedbytheorganization (seeparas. 204-208 belowand chap.VI,decision 1986/10). Greeting CardOperation 69.Ingeneral, concern wasexpressed regarding thecontinued dropinincomeof theGreeting CardOperation (GCO).Itwasaskedwhether theincomeprojections for 1986wereinfactrealistic. Itwasnoted, however, thatbecause ofanincrease in salesandafavourable trendinexchange rates, GCOseemed, basedonthe provisional figures for1985,tohaveregained momentum andprofitability. 70.Greeting cardscontinued tobeanimportant aspectoftheworkoftheNational Committees. However, ifGCOwastoachieve 50percentprofitability by1988,the National Committees wouldhavetobringtheircostsdownto25percentofrevenue andGCOitself wouldhavetoreduceitscoststothesamedegree. 71.Mostdelegations founditencouraging thatGCOwasassuming increasing responsibilities intheareasofpromotion andfund-raising bydirectmail(see paras. 218-231 belowandchap.VI,decision 1986/11). Adjustment withahumanface 72.Itwasfeltthatthebreadth ofitsmandate gaveUNICEF auhiqueroletoplay inthediscussion of"adjustment withahumanface". Womenandchildren werefar toooftenthemostseriously affected bystabilization andadjustment measures. UNICEFmustwork,therefore, tominimize theeffects oftheeconomic crisis. 73.Because theglobal economic situation wouldhaveanadverse impactonUNICEF andontheUnitedNations systemasawholeUNICEF wasurgedtoredouble its efforts bygivingpriority totheneediest. Inatimeofeconomic uncertainty, flexibility andaclearsetofpriorities wereindispensable. Thebulkof expendituires mustgotoprogrammes.
analysis: The text appears to be a report from a meeting or conference, discussing various aspects of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) organization. The topics covered include staffing, budgeting, and program implementation, with a focus on ensuring the organization's efficiency, effectiveness, and humanitarian goals. The text also touches on UNICEF's role in addressing global economic issues and promoting self-reliance.