14/09/2022, Entebbe; The Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) held its 5^th Joint Steering Committee Meeting on 13^th and 14^th September 2022. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Lisa Buttenheim, Assistant Secretary General for Support Operations in the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

The Steering Committee is a high-level forum where strategic matters are discussed, and direction provided to the centre for its operational and transactional activities.  The 2-day meeting discussed issues surrounding operational performance and client service delivery, Projects, and process improvement initiatives, Human Resources, and staffing matters, RSCE budget and Compliance and Risk Management. One afternoon was dedicated to KJSO's funding, structure, and future.

In attendance were the Director RSCE, Mr. Paulin Djomo, Deputy Director a.i. Ms. Nalini Contreras, Chief of the Kuwait Joint Support Office, Mr. Zewdu Tegen, The Chairpersons of the RSCE and KJSO Client Boards, Mr. Ebrima Ceesay and Mr. Joel Cohen, KJSO Deputy Chief Rodelito Juan, Ms Maria Costa from Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), Mr Mohammad Jeram and Administrative Officer, Cristal Tojeiro from OSO/DOS.

After the meeting, ASG Lisa Buttenheim, alongside Mr Djomo, held a hybrid townhall meeting with all RSCE staff. The purpose of the meeting was to reconnect with the staff after a long period of Covid19 during which physical meetings as well as travel were restricted. In her opening remarks, the ASG made the announcement of the Secretary Generals selection of Mr. Djomo as Director for the RSCE after serving as ad interim and she thanked him and the staff for a commendable job done over the years and especially during the recent COVID19 pandemic.

“The Secretary General’s selection of Mr. Djomo as fully fledged Director for the Centre here in Entebbe is in recognition of the excellent work, he has done in growing the Centre. The Centre has matured into a Centre of Excellence and is setting the standard for the rest of the Organization.” Said ASG Lisa Buttenheim

In his remarks, Mr. Djomo pledged to continue to grow the Centre with the support of the ASG, the DOS leadership and the RSCE staff

“I want to commend the ASG and USG who ensure we have the support and independence to carry out our roles. When I was first requested to transfer to Entebbe, I was asked by the USG to transform the Centre into the flagship of the Department and, with all of you, we have been able to achieve that goal. I will ensure we continue to perform to the standard requested of us.” said Director Paulin Djomo.

Before the townhall, the Senior Management Team at the RSCE and the members of the Joint Steering Committee were treated to a celebration in honour of the Secretary General’s selection of the new Director.