ILO and UNOPS Join Forces to Enhance Sustainable Procurement Through DRiVE Initiative

Under the newly signed agreement, UNOPS will support ILO in implementing the DRiVE program throughout the procurement cycle, mapping the tool against existing processes.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have formalized a partnership to evaluate the UNOPS Supplier Sustainability Programme using the Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement (DRiVE) framework. This collaboration aims to assess the benefits that DRiVE can bring to procurement and supply chains across the UN system, with the goal of expanding its use within the broader UN operational environment and promoting a unified approach to sustainable procurement.

Key Details of the Collaboration

The announcement was made during the 36th session of the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) Procurement Network, hosted by UNEP in Nairobi. Key figures in this collaboration include Vanja Ostojić, Chief of Procurement Bureau at ILO, and Rula Abu Nimreh, Head of Policy and Standards in the Procurement Group at UNOPS.

Launched in 2018, the DRiVE initiative collects data from suppliers to evaluate their sustainability performance and provide feedback on potential areas for improvement. This data-driven approach assesses and mitigates sustainability risks within the UN's vast supply chain, which encompasses over 400,000 suppliers worldwide.

Statements from UNOPS and ILO Officials

Anne-Claire Howard, UNOPS Procurement Director, emphasized the importance of DRiVE:

"Using 'DRiVE' is a way to respond to the growing demand of our partners to ensure that our suppliers contribute to sustainable development outcomes and align with environmental and social safeguard requirements. This initiative highlights the role UNOPS plays in sustainable procurement and fulfilling our procurement mandate. The partnership with ILO marks our commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient supply chain that aligns with the UN Supplier Code of Conduct. It includes a collective approach for supplier engagement and capacity building, focusing on critical sustainability factors such as environmental management, labour standards, equal opportunities, health and safety policies, and anti-corruption measures."

Under the newly signed agreement, UNOPS will support ILO in implementing the DRiVE program throughout the procurement cycle, mapping the tool against existing processes. The outcomes of this pilot will provide a roadmap for other UN agencies to adopt DRiVE, further advancing the UN's sustainability commitments.

Vanja Ostojić, ILO Chief of Procurement Bureau, highlighted the significance of this collaboration:" Social justice and decent work are fundamental aspects of sustainable business practices, including procurement processes. We are proud to collaborate with UNOPS, a sister UN agency prioritizing sustainability in its operations. By participating in this project, we contribute our expertise in the fundamental principles and rights at work, including occupational safety and health, combating human trafficking and forced labour in supply chains, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and gender responsiveness. We look forward to making DRiVE a tool to support UN organizations in 'walking the talk'. This pilot will help us better understand sustainability risks in our supply chains and support ILO constituents in advancing social justice."

Implementation and Future Prospects

UNOPS and ILO plan to run the pilot program for a year, conducting quarterly reviews to gather lessons learned. This initiative represents a significant step towards establishing a unified, UN-wide tool for sustainable assessment and improvement, paving the way for enhanced accountability and sustainability in procurement practices across the UN system.

Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to foster a culture of sustainability within their supply chains, ultimately contributing to broader social and environmental goals aligned with the United Nations' sustainable development agenda.