Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Riga.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission regularly engaged the Latvian government and people to maintain close relations, especially on issues of mutual concern, such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- The Ambassador inconsistently modeled the Department of State’s leadership and management principles of self-awareness, valuing and developing people, and collaboration.
- The embassy did not consistently coordinate its public diplomacy program across all embassy sections.
- The American Spaces program lacked proper oversight and coordination.
- The embassy and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs did not establish a memorandum of understanding defining the financial management support the embassy would provide to the bureau.
- The embassy had internal control issues in its human resources, financial management, general services, and facility management operations.
- The embassy’s information management and information security operations, including account management processes, non-enterprise networks, cybersecurity operations, and records management program, did not fully comply with Department standards.
- Spotlight on Success: Embassy Riga’s Regional Security Office established the International School Security Working Group to enhance the safety and security of international schools in Latvia.
- Spotlight on Success: Embassy Riga’s Facility Management Office instituted an innovative and sustainable landscaping design and maintenance program that conserved embassy resources.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 17 recommendations to Embassy Riga. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with all 17 recommendations. OIG considers all 17 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 response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Riga should coordinate its public diplomacy program across the embassy in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should manage the American Spaces program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should establish an American Liaison Network in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should review and revise locally employed staff position descriptions and classify them in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should manage its time and attendance program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should implement ledgers to accurately record and track employee accounts receivables in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga, in coordination with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, should formalize its support for financial services in a memorandum of understanding that defines roles, responsibilities, and cost reimbursement for services provided.
Embassy Riga should manage its property controls in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should maintain contract and contracting officer’s representative files in the Integrated Logistics Management System in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should manage its non-high-rise residential properties in accordance with Department standards for fire protection or obtain exceptions to the standards.
Embassy Riga should manage its fire protection program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should complete and document an annual written assessment of post's safety, health, and environmental management program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should implement an account management process for reviewing user accounts in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should establish a local configuration management protocol in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should complete all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should manage its non-enterprise networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Riga should manage its records management program in accordance with Department standards.