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Inspection of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

ISP-I-17-22
    Report Contents
    Unclassified
    Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should implement a formal plan to mitigate the effects of excessive workload and promote work-life balance.

    Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should institute formal processes to measure performance against strategic goals in accordance with Department standards.

    Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should prepare a written standard operating procedure for its Annual Management Control Statement of Assurance process that defines internal controls review processes for contracts and grants.

    Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should implement a plan to systematize and increase the flow of information to improve feedback on written products, enhance bureau knowledge management systems, and improve access to classified information.

    Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, should integrate the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations into stabilization planning for Syria and Iraq.

    Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in coordination with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assistance Resources, should prepare an operational plan for Syria-related foreign assistance.

    Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should establish and disseminate guidance to all missions in the region to address potential weaknesses in Leahy vetting processes related to certification of security units that receive U.S. security assistance.

    Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should require justification for documentation of public diplomacy grant awards made noncompetitively.

    Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should require monitoring and evaluation plans for public diplomacy grants.

    Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should systematically assess and adjust existing personnel levels consistent with strategic priorities and workload.

    Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should complete all remaining 2015 performance appraisals for its Civil Service employees.

    Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should take steps to hold delinquent raters accountable.

    Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should establish written procedures that define processes for conducting monthly reviews of unliquidated obligation balances.

    Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented $385,300,000

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should review $385.3 million in unliquidated obligations and deobligate or reprogram those funds that are no longer required.

    Recommendation Number
    15
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should implement a systems development life cycle process for its applications and systems development that includes mechanisms for management approval and enforcement.

    Recommendation Number
    16
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should require information technology staff to regularly perform their information systems security officer responsibilities and document their analysis for management review.

    Recommendation Number
    17
    Closed Implemented

    The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs should establish a bureau-wide records management program, to include dedicated staff and internal guidance for maintaining files and records.