24 . MOPAN 2017-18 ASSESSMENTS . UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST A gender marker assessment to monitor resource allocation to gender found that 64.4% of UNRWA’s programme budget contributes in a significant way to gender mainstreaming. This result is attributable mainly to the education programme, given the proportion of this programme that was scored as gender-sensitive. For example, for education, gender has been a key dimension in programmatic approaches, reflected explicitly in policies, strategies and programmes. Funding for gender mainstreaming activities is generated through allocations in existing programmes that address gender issues or through extra-budgetary resources raised for specific interventions and projects (e.g. the GBV referral system in UNRWA). However, the Agency does not allocate significant core funds to specific gender initiatives and gender mainstreaming efforts, and it funds only one specific gender staff member across the Agency. There remains a lack of consistency in terms of where gender is situated within UNRWA. Structurally, gender sits within the Protection Division at the headquarters level, although this is not the case across all fields of operations. Locating gender within this division, combined with the GBV focus of the gender section’s main project (Building Safety: Mainstreaming GBV Interventions into Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Response), have given the protection aspects of gender a high profile within UNRWA. Outside of protection concerns, there is not necessarily a broader focus on gender, although the GBV training delivered under the Building Safety project includes broader gender equality concepts. UNRWA is working to build staff capacity related to gender, and a priority of its Gender Equality Strategy is to strengthen the Agency’s gender architecture. The structural pillar for gender mainstreaming in UNRWA continues to be the Gender Task Force, which comprises 70 gender focal points drawn from the various programmes and field offices. Gender focal points meet regularly at field and Agency levels to co-ordinate gender mainstreaming and build capacities. In its work on GBV, UNRWA’s Gender Unit has sought to build the capacity of staff working on GBV prevention and response. This includes developing GBV roadmaps for all field offices that show GBV prevention work outcomes, outputs and activities based on a GBV prevention framework. UNRWA’s People Strategy commits the organisation to addressing human resources issues related to gender. The Agency supports a move towards gender parity in management and leadership positions and is working to ensure that gender and cultural sensitivity training is provided. Representation of women in senior management positions, particularly at the field and area office levels, is low. The Human Resources Department has developed a Gender Parity Action Plan based on the UN-SWAP. A commitment to gender equality and parity is included in the compacts signed by directors with the Commissioner-General. UNRWA has sought to incentivise staff commitment and contribution to gender mainstreaming by launching the Gender Champion Awards which recognise significant contributions by staff to the advancement of gender equality. UNRWA participates in system-wide UN gender mainstreaming initiatives. In 2017, UNRWA8 “met” or “exceeded” requirements for 80% of the performance indicators. Resource allocation was highlighted as an area requiring UNRWA’s continued attention going forward. Overall, UNRWA’s performance on gender mainstreaming is above that of other UN entities. UNRWA does not have a dedicated policy on environmental sustainability and climate change. The MTS outlines a commitment to assist and co-ordinate with others that undertake work on climate change and its impact on refugee populations. UNRWA’s 2016-21 strategy for infrastructure and camp improvement also sets out its intent to improve refugees’ health and the natural environment by ensuring that Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme interventions are environmentally responsible. UNRWA has engaged in a number of green initiatives including the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in Gaza Strip camps. The recent Environmental Health Strategy 8. UN WOMEN 2017, UNRWA UN-SWAP Report 2018