Reporting Wrongdoing

Making a report

OIOS takes all reports of possible wrongdoing seriously. Accordingly, OIOS has established this reporting facility to provide a confidential mechanism for individuals wishing to report waste, fraud, mismanagement or other types of misconduct. The Investigations Division reviews all reports of possible wrongdoing it receives to determine whether the report is receivable for investigation. The Division has discretionary authority to decide which matters to investigate and, where suitable, may also decide to refer a report to another entity for appropriate action, including investigation.

Anyone with information regarding possible wrongdoing where it involves United Nations property, assets, personnel, vendors or implementing partners, is strongly encouraged to report the matter to the Investigations Division using the link below. In submitting your report, please attempt to answer all of the questions to the best of your ability and try to be as specific and as detailed as possible.

Wrongdoing that may be reported using this reporting facility includes:

• Unlawful acts (for example theft, fraud, embezzlement, solicitation/acceptance of bribes, extortion, possession or sale of illegal substances, smuggling);
• Misrepresentation, forgery, or false certification in connection with any official claim or benefit, (for example regarding dependency allowance, rental subsidy, insurance, education grant, tax reimbursement or travel cost claims);
• Mishandling of contract obligations and relations with third parties leading to loss of property or assets, or generating liabilities for the Organization;
• Failure to disclose an interest or relationship with a third party who might benefit from a decision in which the staff member takes part;
• Allegations of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation as defined in  ST/SGB/2003/13

Confidentiality

OIOS protects the confidentiality of those who make reports to it in good faith, whether the investigation substantiates the report or not. Requests for confidentiality by witnesses will be respected to the extent possible within the Organization’s Administration of Justice framework; however, witness confidentially may not be absolute.

Anonymous reports

Information received from anonymous sources will be assessed and may lead to an investigation. However, anonymous allegations are often more difficult to pursue as there may be no way for OIOS to clarify the information provided or to ask questions. If you choose to remain anonymous, please provide as much detail as possible and also consider providing OIOS with a means to contact you if further information or clarification is needed - for example, consider providing us with a free web-based e-mail address (e.g. hotmail, yahoo or gmail) with an assumed name or alias that will allow you to retain your anonymity.

Malicious reporting

Reports of wrongdoing made with knowledge of their falsity or with wilful disregard of their truth or falsity shall constitute misconduct, for which disciplinary measures may be imposed.

How to report retaliation

Retaliation is any direct or indirect detrimental action recommended, threatened or taken against an individual who officially reported misconduct or otherwise cooperated with duly authorized audits or investigations. If established, retaliation constitutes misconduct which is subject to possible sanction. 

In accordance with Secretary-General's Bulletin ST/SGB/2017/2, reports of retaliation are to be made to the Ethics Office which has a responsibility to undertake a preliminary review of the claim. If the Ethics Office determines that the claim has been made in good faith and that there is a prima facie case of retaliation, the Ethics Office will refer the matter to OIOS for investigation.

How to report prohibited conduct

Secretary-General’s Bulletin ST/SGB/2008/5 governs complaints of discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. These transgressions are collectively referred to as “prohibited conduct”.

Under the bulletin, reports of prohibited conduct may be made to the head of the department, office or mission concerned except in those cases where the official who would normally receive the complaint is the alleged offender, in which case the complaint should be submitted to the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management or, for mission staff, to the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support.

Reports of prohibited conduct may also be made directly to OIOS.