Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, management controls, and resource management operations of Embassy Managua.
What OIG Recommended
This report includes eight recommendations. OIG made seven recommendations to improve Embassy Managua’s public diplomacy, general services, and information management operations. OIG made one recommendation to the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations regarding a cost-benefit analysis of Embassy Managua's solar power contract.
In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with all eight recommendations. OIG considers the 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
- Employees credited the Ambassador with providing a clear strategic vision of U.S. priorities in Nicaragua, focused on the prosperity, security, and governance pillars contained in the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America.
- Embassy Managua section chiefs generally managed their sections well and used resources in support of the Integrated Country Strategy.
- Embassy information management operations needed improvement in the areas of information security and contingency planning and testing.
- The embassy lacked a written mechanism to measure the American Space’s overall performance to ensure Department-funded public diplomacy programs were achieving objectives.
- Embassy Managua estimated that a solar power array contract would cost $1.76 million in unanticipated costs over five years. An updated cost-benefit study was needed before proceeding with a possible second-phase expansion of the contract.
- Embassy sections met Department of State standards for crisis preparedness, but additional planning steps were warranted because of elevated risks of natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
- Spotlight on Success: The embassy’s commercial promotion activities and its initiative for regional coordination on export promotion generated noteworthy results.
- Spotlight on Success: The Consular Section developed an innovative training program for wardens that improved its ability to assist American citizen victims of crime.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Managua should implement strategic planning and evaluation mechanisms to assess the performance of its American Space.
Embassy Managua should perform required annual inspections of all office work areas and semi-annual inspections of increased risk work areas and operations.
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, should conduct a cost-benefit analysis of Energy Savings Performance Contract SAQMMMA13F1607 prior to exercising contractual options for a second-phase expansion under the contract.
Embassy Managua should require that all drivers assigned to operate armored vehicles receive required training.
Embassy Managua should require that all chauffeurs and incidental drivers under Chief of Mission authority receive Smith Safety driver training.
Embassy Managua should require that Information Systems Security Officers perform information security duties in accordance with Department guidance.
Embassy Managua should update and test information technology contingency plans for unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Managua should implement a plan for conducting initial and annual refresher information technology contingency training for employees with information technology contingency planning responsibilities.