Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Kuwait City.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 15 recommendations to Embassy Kuwait City. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with all 15 recommendations. OIG considers all 15 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- The former Ambassador and current Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, led Embassy Kuwait City in a strategic and attentive manner consistent with Department of State leadership and management principles.
- The embassy’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was consistent with Department guidance on risk management.
- Consular Section locally employed staff were not cross-trained in U.S. citizen services functions, such as processing of passport applications, as required.
- The Management Section did not manage embassy property in accordance with Department standards, which resulted in excess nonexpendable and expendable property and unauthorized use of shipping containers for storage.
- The embassy’s information systems security officers did not perform required duties.
- Insufficient oversight by embassy managers caused a 1-year delay in an important embassy radio upgrade project.
- Spotlight on Success: Embassy Kuwait City successfully managed the evacuation from Afghanistan and processing through Kuwait of more than 5,000 Afghan refugees and 1,500 American citizens, permanent residents, and third-country nationals in August and September 2021.
- Spotlight on Success: The Consular Section developed electronic tools to simplify back-office tasks and provide a more efficient and accurate workflow.
- Spotlight on Success: The Management Section’s use of Microsoft Forms to process locally employed staff benefits reduced processing time from 4 weeks to less than 1 week with increased accuracy.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Kuwait City should cross-train Consular Section locally employed staff in U.S. citizen services functions, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should implement and monitor controls to confirm compliance with the Department’s standards for time and attendance.
Embassy Kuwait City should comply with all Department overseas motor vehicle safety standards for chauffeurs and incidental drivers under chief of mission authority.
Embassy Kuwait City should record all embassy vehicle usage in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should dispose of excess expendable and nonexpendable property, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Kuwait City should account for all expendable and nonexpendable property in the Integrated Logistics Management System, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Kuwait City should bring its furniture and appliance pool into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should comply with Department standards related to the use of the shipping containers as permanent storage.
Embassy Kuwait City should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should comply with the Department’s model standard lease and pay residential utility bills based on actual expenses.
Embassy Kuwait City, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should conduct a technical review of the design plans for the two structures used as facility management workshops and breakrooms and a bodyguard breakroom and submit the survey for approval, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should complete safety certifications for all its real property and upload them in the Post Occupational Safety and Health Officer Certification Application, as required by Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should perform monthly testing of its emergency lighting system, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should perform all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Kuwait City should complete its ultra-high frequency point-to-point radio communication project to upgrade the radio network.