Organizational impact

Our achievements and the impact of our work on the UN are measurable in a number of ways. The Office’s track record shows, among other results, that the Office’s worldwide auditing, investigation, inspection, programme monitoring, and evaluation services have provided measurable financial benefits and have had a consistent and positive impact on the Organization’s overall efficiency and effectiveness. 

Information—OIOS provides the Secretary-General and the General Assembly with reliable and objective information to help it to better understand the risks and challenges to the UN. Over 300 reports are produced annually.

Financial implications -The financial implications refer to cost savings, overpayments recovery, efficiency gains and other improvements through OIOS activities.  As at June 2018, the total savings from OIOS activities identified amounted to US$583 million, whereas the realized amount was US$275 million.

Recommendations—OIOS issues some 1,000 recommendations annually to improve internal controls and correct underlying obstacles to organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Risk management— OIOS workplan is based on a systematic assessment of risks to UN personnel, assets and other resources. Risk-based work planning enables OIOS to prioritize the allocation of resources to oversight of programmatic and operational areas that have the greatest exposure to risks of fraud, waste, abuse, inefficiencies and mismanagement.

Embedding effective risk management into the organizational culture is a challenging but necessary endeavour. Therefore, OIOS is advocating that UN stakeholders, including Departments, Offices and the legislative bodies, participate in developing a common risk management system for the Organization.