Report Wrongdoing
UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic | United Nations plane flies over Mali to begin operations of a new mission
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, sexual harassment 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 Report Wrongdoing button link. 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:
- Fraud and Corruption (for example, misrepresentation, forgery, or false certification in connection with any official claim or benefit, theft, embezzlement, solicitation/acceptance of bribes, extortion, and/or smuggling). For more information see the United Nations Secretariat Information Circular on Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption for mishandling of contract obligations and relations with third parties leading to loss of property or assets, or generating liabilities for the Organization
- Conflict of Interest, such as 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
- Allegations of sexual harassment as defined in ST/SGB/2019/8
- Allegations of racism, racial bias, and discrimination based on race, ethnic origin or nationality as defined in ST/SGB/2019/8
- Unauthorized outside activities, procurement violations, misuse of ICT resources, misuse of funding to implementing partners, and other violations of UN regulations, rules and administrative issuances
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.
How to report retaliation
Retaliation within the meaning of ST/SGB/2017/2/Rev.1 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/Rev.1, 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 sexual harassment
The Secretary-General has made the United Nation’s zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment one of his priorities. In line with the Secretary-General’s announcement, the Investigations Division has agreed to take a key role in implementing this policy.
As part of this commitment, the Organization has launched the “Speak up” helpline, a 24-hour resource for United Nations Secretariat personnel to speak confidentially with impartial and trained individuals, who can provide information on protection, support and reporting mechanisms.
To improve and centralize the Organization’s response capacity, the Investigations Division has taken responsibility for receiving all complaints of sexual harassment, and has implemented a streamlined, fast-tracked procedure to receive, process and address complaints. OIOS has a specialized team focusing on the investigation of sexual harassment.
How to report other types of prohibited conduct
Secretary-General’s Bulletin ST/SGB/2019/8 governs complaints of discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. These transgressions are collectively referred to as “prohibited conduct”.
Under ST/SGB/2019/8 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.
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.
Investigations hotline
To provide confidential reports of waste, fraud, mismanagement or other wrongdoing in the United Nations, please contact OIOS:
Submit online reporting form:
Call hotline at:
+ 1 212 963 1111 (24 hours a day)
Regular mail to:
United Nations Headquarters
Director, Investigations Division
Office of Internal Oversight Services
S-09FW (South Wing)
405 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A
OIOS investigates misconduct allegations that involve personnel and entities within the United Nations Secretariat, including field missions.
