Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Budapest.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 10 recommendations: 8 to Embassy Budapest, 1 to the Bureau of Information Resource Management, and 1 to the Bureau of Administration. In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with 9 recommendations1 and neither agreed nor disagreed with 1 recommendation. OIG considers all 10 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, ad interim, led Embassy Budapest in a professional and collaborative manner consistent with Department of State leadership and management principles. Embassy staff described the Chargé as collegial and approachable, and said he showed concern for the welfare of the embassy community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted some internal controls, such as spot checks, and also forced reductions in regional programs.
- Due to staff shortages, the Public Diplomacy Section did not produce any analytical or evaluative cables from January to September 2021. During that period, the section originated only limited informal reporting on its activities, including policy evaluation.
- Spotlight on Success: Embassy Budapest had a comprehensive mentorship program that began even before participants arrived at the embassy.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Budapest should comply with Department standards for grant file documentation.
Embassy Budapest should conduct and submit an annual housing market survey in accordance with Department requirements.
Embassy Budapest should use the Integrated Logistics Management System to account for all personal protective equipment, clothing, and uniforms in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Budapest should comply with Department overseas motor vehicle safety standards for professional and incidental drivers under chief of mission authority.
Embassy Budapest should enter motor vehicle operational costs into the Fleet Management Information System and verify the integrity of data entered into the system in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Budapest should implement routine and preventive maintenance programs that comply with Department standards.
Embassy Budapest should administer and procure facility management expendable supplies in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Budapest should implement a records management program in accordance with Department standards.
The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with the Regional Information Management Center Frankfurt and Embassy Budapest, should maintain Embassy Budapest’s telephone network in accordance with Department standards.
The Bureau of Administration, in coordination with Embassy Budapest, should work with the United States Postal Service to resolve the problem of misrouted Diplomatic Post Office mail.