Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected Embassy Djibouti’s executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and management controls.
What OIG Recommended
This report includes 25 recommendations. OIG made 22 recommendations to Embassy Djibouti to improve Management, Consular, Public Diplomacy, Political-Economic and Information Management operations. OIG also made 1 recommendation to the Bureau of African Affairs regarding staffing; 1 to the Bureau of Consular Affairs on position reclassification; and 1 to the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations regarding seismic safety.
In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with all 25 recommendations. OIG considers the recommendations resolved. The Department’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The Department’s formal written responses are reprinted in their entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- Under the Charge’ d’Affaires’ leadership, Embassy Djibouti effectively supported its top Integrated Country Strategy goal by advancing the long-term viability and maximum operational flexibility of the U.S. military presence in the Republic of Djibouti.
- Chronic staffing vacancies hampered mission performance.
- OIG identified multiple internal control deficiencies in Management, Consular, Public Diplomacy, Political-Economic, and Information Management operations.
- The Department of State had not added a section chief position to the Political-Economic Section to ensure the section’s effectiveness in support of the Integrated Country Strategy.
- Embassy Djibouti did not have an Assistant Regional Security Officer-Investigator position in the Consular Section, leaving it vulnerable to a security risk for consular fraud.
- Despite Djibouti being at high risk for earthquakes, the embassy had not addressed findings from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ 2014 Seismic Report, and it had not performed seismic safety assessments of any subsequently leased residential properties.
- Spotlight on Success: Collaborative coordination mechanisms established between Embassy Djibouti and the U.S. military stationed at nearby Camp Lemonnier effectively advanced U.S. interests in the Horn of Africa.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
The Bureau of African Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Djibouti, should restructure the staffing of the Political-Economic Section to more effectively support the embassy’s Integrated Country Strategy goals
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs and the Bureau of International Information Programs, should implement a social media strategy.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of International Information Programs, should implement an annual resource development and programming plan for its American Space.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should prepare risk assessments and monitoring plans for all Public Affairs Section grants.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should reclassify the grade levels of the Consular Section chief position and one of the First- and Second-Tour consular officer positions in Embassy Djibouti.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should renovate the Consular Section to expand consular processing capabilities, improve management controls, and accommodate anticipated increased staffing.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration and the Bureau of African Affairs, should bring the embassy’s property program into full compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti should implement a comprehensive residential fuel delivery program that complies with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti should comply with the Department’s Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program policy on vehicle operator duty limits.
Embassy Djibouti should update its vehicle policy to be compliant with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti should require all mission drivers to comply with the Overseas Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program.
Embassy Djibouti should prohibit locally employed staff mechanics from repairing personally owned vehicles on U.S. Government property or with U.S. Government equipment.
Embassy Djibouti should implement a housing program that is fully compliant with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with Bureau of African Affairs, should implement a comprehensive program for updating locally employed staff position descriptions in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should update and translate (into relevant languages) its Locally Employed Staff Handbook.
Embassy Djibouti should implement a comprehensive policy outlining the requirements for vehicle third party liability coverage in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should submit updated post consumables and retail price surveys.
Embassy Djibouti should charge agencies and personnel appropriately for official and personal phone calls.
Embassy Djibouti should use electronic funds transfer for taxi and medical reimbursements over $25 to local employees.
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with Embassy Djibouti, should implement a plan to evaluate all residences in the embassy housing pool for seismic risks and take action to address the deficiencies.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should train its local staff in preventive maintenance or establish appropriate preventive maintenance contracts.
Embassy Djibouti, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should establish and implement a plan to appropriately store flammable materials.
Embassy Djibouti should reassign Information System Security Officer responsibilities to comply with the Department’s separation of duties requirement.
Embassy Djibouti should complete and record Information Systems Security Officer tasks as required by Department standards.
Embassy Djibouti should conduct annual information technology contingency plan testing of the unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.