Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Luxembourg.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 14 recommendations: 12 to Embassy Luxembourg and 2 to the Bureau of Information Resource Management. In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with all 14 recommendations. OIG considers all 14 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
- Embassy Luxembourg’s leadership was advancing U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives as outlined in the embassy’s Integrated Country Strategy.
- Interpersonal conflicts negatively affected staff working relationships and team cohesion.
- The Political-Economic Section’s work was aligned with Integrated Country Strategy goals, but the section did not consistently meet Department of State deadlines for mandatory reports and demarche responses.
- Public diplomacy grants lacked required Federal assistance documentation.
- The lease for the Chargé d’Affaires’ residence exceeded Department standards both in square footage and cost, resulting in approximately $207,000 in excessive costs over the life of the lease.
- The embassy did not perform required Information Systems Security Officer duties including regular reviews and analysis of information systems and mobile devices for indications of inappropriate or unusual activity.
- Spotlight on Success: The Public Diplomacy Section managed the embassy’s virtual intern program that capitalized on the presence of a U.S. study abroad program in Luxembourg.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Luxembourg should document its public diplomacy grants in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should update its public-private partnership with the University of Luxembourg.
Embassy Luxembourg should establish and administer a training program for its locally employed staff in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Luxembourg should establish internal controls to administer and oversee its expendable property in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Luxembourg, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should provide documentation that the lease for the Deputy Chief of Mission’s residence will not be renewed past June 2022.
Embassy Luxembourg, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its safety, health, and environmental management training into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should bring its cashier operations’ internal controls, including management oversight of those operations, into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should update its accommodation exchange policy to comply with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should perform all Information Systems Security Officer duties in accordance with Department standards.
The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with Embassy Luxembourg, should install a functioning high-frequency radio system at the embassy.
The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with Embassy Luxembourg, should remediate the telephone and network cabling at the embassy, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should update all dedicated internet network registrations in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Luxembourg should implement a records management program in accordance with Department standards.