It is a shame that this piece of work was never completed, as the topic was important and timely. The work built on a literature review, and then went on to undertake a large online survey of UNHCR’s workforce – those on UNOPS and UNV contracts, and their managers. The survey highlighted the positive value and cost-effectiveness of UNVs within UNHCR, and documented their falling numbers. However, the feedback from the staff in the field was the most dramatic aspect of the research, voicing a number of issues that were critical to the research questions, and important for UNHCR to consider at a strategic level.
The whole consultancy project was unexpectedly cancelled by UNHCR once the draft report was completed, and consequently no report was published.