Investigations

Under a hybrid model of investigation services, the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), complemented by UN Women’s Internal Investigation Function (IIF) of the Independent Evaluation, Audit and Investigation Services (IEAIS), are entrusted with the responsibility of providing investigation services to UN Women.

Administrative, fact-finding investigations are conducted into allegations of fraud, corruption, discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and any other kind of misconduct and wrongdoing by UN Women personnel or third parties. This is undertaken in an ethical, professional, and impartial manner, in accordance with the “Uniform guidelines for investigations” adopted by the Conference of International Investigators.

Reporting wrongdoing – Investigations hotline

Anyone with information regarding wrongdoing relating to UN Women personnel or involving UN Women programmes is strongly encouraged to report this information through the OIOS investigations hotline.

When reporting, complainants are encouraged to be as specific as possible. If a complainant chooses to remain anonymous, they are asked to consider providing OIOS with a means of contact through an alias, if further information or clarification is needed.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality of those who make reports to the hotline in good faith is protected, 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.

Malicious reporting

Where a source provides information that they knew or ought to have known was false, it would be considered a wrongful complaint and constitutes possible misconduct. In such circumstances, the source waives any rights of confidentiality, and a new investigation may be initiated. Honest mistakes or error are not, however, subject to such consideration.

Frequently asked questions

What is UN Women’s investigation mandate?

UN Women’s “Investigation and disciplinary process policy” provides the mandate for its investigation function. The “Charter of the Independent Evaluation, Audit and Investigation Services” constitutes the framework for IEAIS to provide investigations to determine the credibility, materiality, and verifiability of allegations of misconduct deemed detrimental to UN Women.

All investigations are conducted in a professional and impartial manner. Where evidence of misconduct or wrongdoing is established, the results of the investigation, together with recommendations, will guide UN Women in deciding on the appropriate action to be taken, which may include initiating disciplinary proceedings or administrative action, as appropriate.

Both IEAIS and OIOS may conduct investigations for UN Women under a hybrid model. OIOS conducts investigations in accordance with its “Investigations manual” and “Guiding principles” and issues investigation reports with recommendations to UN Women. The services provided by OIOS will be complemented by investigations carried out by IEAIS’ IIF for matters that OIOS transmits to UN Women.

What do we not investigate?

Reports that do not implicate personnel, funds, and activities of the organization are not investigated.

Matters usually dealt with by management, such as traffic incidents, simple thefts, contract disputes, office management disputes, basic misuse of equipment or staff, and basic mismanagement issues are not investigated.

What happens after I submit a report of wrongdoing?

OIOS will acknowledge the receipt of all allegations reported to the investigation hotline and will decide whether to investigate, refer, or file your report for information, or whether to first suspend it for preliminary inquiries.

Matters transmitted to IEAIS by OIOS will undergo an assessment by IEAIS to determine the appropriate course of action, which includes possible investigation.

What does “due process” mean?

Due process means that the investigation is conducted in a fair, transparent, and professional manner. Fairness in investigations includes, for example, that investigators follow established procedures and remain objective and impartial. Investigations must be thorough and must follow all reasonable lines of inquiry, whether inculpatory or exculpatory.

How do I request protection against retaliation?

In accordance with UN Women’s “Protection against retaliation policy”, retaliation means any direct or indirect detrimental action that adversely affects the employment or working conditions of a member of personnel, where such action has been recommended, threatened, or taken for the purpose of punishing, intimidating, or injuring a member of personnel because that member of personnel engaged in a protected activity.

The Ethics Advisor will endeavour to protect the identity of complainants and the confidentiality of all communications received from complainants in accordance with the “Protection against retaliation policy”.