Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Port of Spain.
What OIG Found
- Embassy Port of Spain’s Front Office generally complied with Department of State standards for tone at the top and standards of conduct, execution of foreign policy goals and objectives, security and emergency planning, and equal employment opportunity. Embassy staff praised the Chargé d’Affaires’ self-awareness, communication skills, and ability to plan strategically.
- The embassy had deficiencies in residential safety, the contracting officer’s representative program, and the furniture and appliance pool.
- The Chargé d’Affaires and the acting Deputy Chief of Mission did not conduct required reviews of nonimmigrant visa adjudications performed by the Consular Section chief.
- Embassy Port of Spain had deficiencies related to the security of information systems and information technology assets, mobile device management, and telephone operations.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 18 recommendations to Embassy Port of Spain. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with 2 recommendations, neither agreed nor disagreed with 15 recommendations, and disagreed with 1 recommendation. OIG considers all 18 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Port of Spain, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should evaluate all residential properties for seismic risk in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should visually inspect its fire extinguishers and smoke alarms in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department and federal standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should bring its furniture and appliance pool program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should conduct nonimmigrant visa adjudication reviews in accordance with Department guidance.
Embassy Port of Spain should install consular signage that complies with Department guidance.
Embassy Port of Spain should create budget and training plans for the Diplomatic Technology unit.
Embassy Port of Spain should require the Information Systems Security Officer to perform all duties in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should bring its emergency communications program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should implement a knowledge management process for capturing, sharing, transferring, and retaining information for managing computer, telephone, and radio operations.
Embassy Port of Spain should manage the mobile devices program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should bring its communications security program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should implement its local configuration management protocol in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should implement a life cycle management plan for the applications it develops, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should manage its non-enterprise networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should bring its management of telephone operations into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should install and use locks on the doors to the radio office and the mailroom in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Port of Spain should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.