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Empowering change across the UN system
UNLOCK is an advisory hub of executive change professionals dedicated to supporting sustainable transformation across the UN system. As part of the United Nations System Staff College, we have collaborated with leaders and teams for over a decade to navigate complex mandates, policy shifts, and cultural changes, delivering lasting results that involve those affected by change.
Additionally, through the UNLOCK Peer Exchange, we convene over 200 change and transformation experts from across the UN. This community is reshaping how internal change occurs by sharing best practices and knowledge. We believe that true transformation comes from genuine listening, deep understanding, and humane agility, fostering meaningful and lasting change.
Why change management in the UN?
The UN is constantly evolving to meet complex global challenges. From advancing the SDGs to driving digital transformation, UN entities are undertaking ambitious initiatives that require not only strong technical solutions but also the ability of people and teams to adapt, adopt, and sustain change.
This is where change management comes in. Change succeeds when colleagues understand the “why,” feel engaged in the “how,” and are equipped to make the transition in their daily work. Without structured change management, even the best strategies and innovations risk falling short of their goals.
Research by Prosci Inc. shows that organizations with excellent change management are:
7
times more likely to achieve project objectives
4.6
times more likely to stay on or ahead of schedule
1.4
times more likely to stay on or under budget
For the UN, this means that every investment in change management increases the likelihood that reforms, new ways of working, and innovations will deliver their intended impact—helping us serve people and planet more effectively.
Why work with UNLOCK
We speak UN, because we are UN, we understand the realities of the structures, political sensitivities, and diverse teams.
We focus on people—because processes only work if people understand, support, and drive them.
We are flexible—no procurement hurdle with us, we can jump in quickly for a short engagement or accompany you over time.
We are global - Based in Bonn and Turin, our team brings together diverse experiences from the UN system, international financial institutions, and the private sector. We are complemented by a global network of experienced professionals with executive consulting backgrounds across both public and private sectors.
We are agile- We are continuously learning and adapting our curated services in interaction with UN Change practitioners in our UNLOCK peer network.
Core Services
UNLOCK's core services
Empower: Capacity building and learning for real change
To ensure effective and lasting change, it's vital to have sponsors, people leaders, and project managers who can lead the process. We provide two types of learning programs:
Open Enrollment Programmes – Tried and tested courses available to all UN personnel, fostering diverse participation.
Curated Learning Programmes – Tailored for specific UN entities or teams to meet their unique needs, co-designed with clients, and offered in-person, online, or in a blended format.
We have successfully built change leadership capacity in UN teams, regional offices, and headquarters, focusing on action over theory.
Guide: Change and transformation advisory services and UN wide best practices
Big shifts—like merging teams, moving locations, or reducing staff—can cause confusion and resistance.
We’ve worked with UN entities working on culture change, efficiency projects, undergoing restructuring, mandate changes, and mergers—always with sensitivity and a focus on real conversations.
Communication and engagement that supports real change
Change efforts often fail not because of bad ideas—but because people don’t understand what is happening or why. We help team leaders:
Develop clear, relatable messaging that explains change in a way staff can understand and connect with personally.
Build strategic communication plans that keep staff informed, engaged, and reassured throughout the change process.
Equip leaders and teams to communicate with confidence and reinforce the right behaviours through targeted internal campaigns.
Connect: Peer learning network of UN experts
UNLOCK also serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and peer learning. We convene a network of approximately 200 change management professionals from across UN entities and international financial institutions (IFIs), creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and mutual support.
Co-creation is at the center of how the UNLOCK network operates. It uses a range of channels to bring together this community of practitioners to connect with and learn from each other, including regular virtual community meetings, an annual in-person peer exchange gathering.
Assessments that give leaders the insight to drive change with confidence
Change is easier to navigate when leaders have a clear picture of where their teams stand—what’s working and what’s stuck. We help teams and organizations:
Diagnose strengths and challenges through evidence-based assessments that go beyond surface impressions.
Identify priority areas for improvement so leaders can direct effort and resources where they will have the greatest impact.
Track progress over time with repeatable, consistent measures that show whether change efforts are making a real difference.
Our open-enrolment courses
Open enrolment courses
Accreditation
Our In-depth Change Management (ICM) course is ACMP QEP™ accredited, aligning with global standards, and supports faster CCMP™ application reviews while preparing participants for the certification exam.
Documenting change management practices in the UN
Every two years, we conduct system-wide research and publish the Status of Change Management in the UN System report—offering insights, trends, and practical recommendations to strengthen change practice across the system.
We have collected and authored case studies from the system and are in the process of publishing three papers this fall on good practice in downsizing, mergers and relocation within the UN system.
Here are publications:
- The relevance of innovation to the United Nations - What has been tried, and what have we learned? (2017)
- Delivering successful change with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (2017)
- Global shared services and transformation of the UN System (2017)
- Delivering successful change on diversity and inclusion in the UN (2017)
- Change agents networks in the UN System (2020)
In addition to the case studies, this JIU report and its executive summary give a solid overview of lessons learnt: JIU/REP/2019/4 Review of change management in United Nations system organizations
Partners
Who have we worked with?
Testimonials