Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, consular operations, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Prague.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 8 recommendations to Embassy Prague. In its comments on the draft report, Embassy Prague concurred with all 8 recommendations. OIG considers all 8 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal written response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission led Embassy Prague in a professional and collaborative manner. The Ambassador worked effectively with the Deputy Chief of Mission to manage their respective external and internal embassy duties.
- The Ambassador reinvigorated senior-level engagement with the Czech president.
- The embassy secured the sale of $646 million in U.S. military equipment to enable the Czech Republic to meet its force modernization efforts and North Atlantic Treaty Organization commitments.
- A lack of an embassy-wide locally employed staff salary increase since 2003 affected staff morale and recruitment efforts.
- The entire embassy was involved in preparing the Annual Chief of Mission Management Control Statement of Assurance, and embassy personnel reported that the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission created an environment that empowered staff to discuss internal control issues openly.
- The embassy did not adhere to all Department of State safety, health, and environmental management requirements, including those for residential housing.
- The embassy did not conduct required information technology contingency planning and training.
- Spotlight on Success: The Ambassador initiated an innovative annual goal-setting process that included quarterly reviews with all embassy sections. The process fostered interagency collaboration and helped assess implementation of the embassy’s Integrated Country Strategy objectives.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Prague should bring consular fee collection practices into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Prague, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its safety, health, and environmental management program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Prague, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Prague should comply with Department standards for residential safety and security certifications.
Embassy Prague should monitor its motor vehicle operating costs in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Prague should comply with Department standards for records management.
Embassy Prague should complete annual tests of the information technology contingency plans for the unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Prague should conduct refresher information technology contingency training for employees with information technology contingency planning responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.