Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Mission Geneva.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 20 recommendations: 18 to Mission Geneva, 1 to the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, and 1 to the Bureau of Global Talent Management.
In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with 18 recommendations and neither agreed nor disagreed with 2 recommendations. OIG considers all 20 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
- The Chargé d’Affaires and the acting Deputy Chief of Mission led the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva in a professional and collegial manner.
- The mission lacked documentation to support its 2019 Annual Chief of Mission Management Control Statement of Assurance. • Mission Geneva and the Bureau of International Organization Affairs did not have shared procedures for promoting and tracking U.S. citizen employment at Geneva-based UN and other international organizations.
- Mission Geneva had deficiencies in its procurement program, including unauthorized commitments and poor contract administration. The mission did not complete reviews of blanket purchase agreements as required.
- Although the Information Management Office met customer needs, the mission did not always carry out information security responsibilities, putting the Department of State’s information systems at risk of compromise.
- Spotlight on Success: The mission effectively integrated staff from all agencies represented at post, reflecting a "whole of government" approach to humanitarian, economic, and health issues.
- Spotlight on Success: A disarmament-focused exchange program, jointly organized by the U.S. missions in Geneva and Vienna, was a successful example of multilateral missions working together to advance shared policy goals.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Mission Geneva should prepare the Annual Chief of Mission Management Control Statement of Assurance in accordance with Department guidance.
Mission Geneva, in coordination with the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, should implement a standard operating procedure outlining requirements for official record reporting by all U.S. Government personnel participating in multilateral events.
The Bureau of International Organization Affairs, in coordination with Mission Geneva and the Office of the Legal Adviser, should implement a standard operating procedure for the promotion and efficient tracking of U.S. citizen employment at the United Nations and other international organizations that includes Mission Geneva.
Mission Geneva, in coordination with the Bureaus of International Organization Affairs and Administration, should ratify unauthorized commitments totaling $629,968, in accordance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should conduct annual reviews of its blanket purchase agreements in accordance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should comply with Department overseas motor vehicle safety training and medical clearance requirements for chauffeurs and incidental drivers.
Mission Geneva should bring leases for dedicated residences into compliance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should cease the use of Conference Services staff for non-official events in accordance with Government regulations.
Mission Geneva, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should establish a corrective action plan to either mitigate the risk at existing residences or relocate employees to residences that meet Department fire standards.
Mission Geneva should bring the safety, health, and environmental management program into compliance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should update its local compensation plan to comply with Government of Switzerland labor law in accordance with Department standards.
The Bureau of Global Talent Management should respond to Mission Geneva’s request to implement a disability insurance plan for locally employed staff.
Mission Geneva should direct the American Government Employee Association board to meet its oversight responsibilities, in compliance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should require Information Systems Security Officers to perform their duties in accordance with Department guidance.
Mission Geneva should stop leasing computer equipment for visiting officials.
Mission Geneva should require its local Information Technology Configuration Control Board to comply with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should complete information technology contingency plans for the unclassified and classified networks and test the plans in accordance with Department standards.
Mission Geneva should implement a plan to conduct initial and annual refresher information technology contingency training for employees with information technology contingency planning responsibilities.
Mission Geneva should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.