Sandra Lewis
Assistant Inspector General for Inspections
Mission
The Office of Inspections provides the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for Global Media with systematic and independent assessments of mission leadership, policy implementation, resource management, and management controls. Inspections assess the effectiveness of programs; identify potential efficiencies and cost-saving measures; encourage self-evaluation and correction; and identify problems and recommend solutions. The office’s work encompasses both overseas and domestic operations.
Inspections cover three broad areas as set forth in the Foreign Service Act of 1980:
- Policy Implementation: whether policy goals and objectives are effectively achieved; whether U.S. interests are accurately and effectively represented; and whether all elements of an office or mission are adequately coordinated.
- Resource Management: whether resources are managed with maximum efficiency, effectiveness, and economy and whether financial transactions and accounts are properly conducted, maintained, and reported.
- Management Controls: whether the administration of activities and operations meets the requirements of applicable laws and regulations; whether internal management controls have been instituted to ensure quality performance and reduce the likelihood of mismanagement; whether instances of fraud, waste, or abuse exist; and whether adequate steps for detection, correction, and prevention have been taken.