Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, consular, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Koror.
What OIG Recommended
OIG made 21 recommendations to improve Embassy Koror’s consular, management, and information management operations. In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with all 21 recommendations. OIG considers all 21 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 response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- Although it is one of the smallest U.S. missions in the world, Embassy Koror faces significant challenges because it is charged with coordinating the work of more than 40 U.S. agencies that regularly visit Palau.
- Despite embassy leadership’s laudable efforts, Embassy Koror remained understaffed with just two U.S. direct hire personnel—the Ambassador and Mission Deputy. Accordingly, the embassy was unable to adequately implement many Department of State mandated internal controls to properly manage the security program, classified IT system, or management operations.
- The Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation conducted a rightsizing review in which it supported the need for an additional position at Embassy Koror. Based on its observations and findings, OIG supports Embassy Koror’s request.
- Embassy Manila generally provided adequate support for Embassy Koror’s security, information technology, and management operations.
- The Ambassador did not conduct reviews of the nonimmigrant visa adjudications done by the Mission Deputy, a mandatory consular management control.
- Embassy Koror did not follow Department of State requirements to monitor unliquidated obligations, resulting in up to $823,547 that could be put to better use.
- The embassy did not proactively plan and rehearse for emergencies.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Koror should implement a standard operating procedure for conducting supervisory reviews of nonimmigrant visa adjudications in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror should take actions to prepare for a consular crisis according to Department guidance.
Embassy Koror should assess and test its warden system in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, should obtain general authorization from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to issue travel letters to U.S. citizens in emergency situations.
Embassy Koror should develop a consular fraud prevention strategy in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Koror should establish a duty officer program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should implement a procurement process to avoid excessive acquisitions, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror should dispose of excess property in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should request authorization to maintain the additional vehicles or dispose of three vehicles according to Department guidelines and put proceeds of sale to better use.
Embassy Koror should record information on embassy vehicles in the Integrated Logistics Management System, as required by Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should review all unliquidated obligations, deobligate any funds that are no longer needed, and put up to $823,547 to better use.
Embassy Koror should conduct monthly unannounced cash counts at unpredictable times during each month in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should update and conduct annual information technology contingency plan testing of the unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should establish a local Information Technology Configuration Control Board in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should register its dedicated internet network in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror should encrypt all laptops in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Manila should complete and document Information Systems Security Officer reviews as required by Department standards.
Embassy Koror should apply labels on the electrical panels according to Department standards.
Embassy Koror should install a temperature monitoring device in its unclassified server room in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should establish a records management program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Koror, in coordination with Embassy Manila, should implement standard operating procedures for managing its unclassified networks.