Investigation Unit

What is our mandate?

The Office of Internal Audit and Oversight (IAO) of the ILO fulfils an internal independent oversight function, as established under article 30(d) of the Financial Regulations, Chapter XIV of the Financial Rules and the ILO Investigation Charter. The Investigation and Inspection Unit (IIU), under the authority and supervision of the Chief Internal Auditor, is mandated to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the ILO.

IAO plays a role in strengthening accountability within the Office, following IGDS 137: The ILO Accountability Framework and IGDS 195 (Version 1): The ILO accountability framework: key standards and mechanisms, which is a major objective of the ILO reform agenda.
IAO’s IIU also has responsibility for investigation allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in accordance with IGDS 568 (version 1): Prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse.

In addition to providing investigation services to ILO, IAO also has the mandate to investigate irregularities at the International Training Centre of the ILO (TURIN)  and in accordance with their Financial Rules and Circular DIR 01/2015 Ethics and standards of conduct.

What do we investigate?

IAO conducts investigations into a wide-range of allegations.  Some examples are, but not limited to:
  • Procurement fraud
  • Corruption and bribery
  • Theft and embezzlement
  • Entitlements fraud
  • Misuse of ILO resources
  • Misrepresentation
  • Failure to comply with financial disclosure requirements
  • Improper recruitment
  • Assault and threat
  • Abuse of authority
  • Conflict of interest
  • Undeclared outside activities
  • Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse
  • Retaliation against whistle blowers (INITIAL REPORT TO: ethics@ilo.org)
  • Any other misconduct, such as wilful, reckless or grossly negligent disregard of ILO regulations, rules, and administrative instructions.

What we do not investigate?

Workplace harassment, including sexual harassment (REPORT TO: hrd@ilo.org)

IAO does not investigate allegations that do not constitute misconduct, but rather indicate managerial issues or interpersonal issues.

How can you report?

The ILO has zero tolerance towards fraud and corruption. In accordance with IGDS 69 (Version 3): Anti-fraud and anti-corruption policy, any case of fraud or presumptive fraud, attempted fraud, or any corruptive or collusive practices, should be reported to the Director-General through the Treasurer and Financial Comptroller (Treasurer) at TRCF@ilo.org and the Chief Internal Auditor at watson@ilo.org
The Chief Internal Auditor should also be contacted for cases of suspected misconduct. The unit can also be contacted on investigations@ilo.org

When providing your report, please include as much relevant information, including attaching supporting documentation, as you are able. Typical information to include would be:
  • a means for the investigation unit to contact you,
  • the time and date of the alleged incident(s),
  • the name(s) of the person(s) involved,
  • a description of the incident, the names of any witness present (with contact information) and
  • any other relevant information that may be of value.
ILO staff members have a duty to report possible incidents of wrongdoing. This duty similarly extends to third-parties pursuant to standard ILO contractual modalities.

Rest assured that in accordance with IGDS 551 (Version 2): Reporting misconduct and protection from retaliation; all staff members are entitled to protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with an audit or investigation.
IAO will accept anonymous reporting.

**It is very important that, on discovering potential irregularities, you report the matter immediately. You should not conduct your own investigations, prior to informing the appropriate authorities**

Malicious reporting

The transmittal of knowingly false information to IAO by ILO staff members constitutes misconduct, for which disciplinary measures may be imposed.

What will we do?

IAO investigations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of ILO staff regulations, standards of conduct of international civil servants and financial regulations, the United Nations Uniform Guidelines for Investigations and the IAO Standard Operating Procedures.
IAO has sole responsibility for conducting investigations within ILO.

The Chief Internal Auditor and designated investigators will secure and protect all information gathered in the course of an investigation from unauthorized disclosure. However, IAO is entitled to use such information insofar as is required for the legitimate needs of the investigation or the ILO.
 
The Chief Internal Auditor will ensure that allegations are recorded, evaluated and processed in a consistent, accountable and confidential way, through a secure system. Unless the initial information was received anonymously with no means of identifying any contact details, an acknowledgement of receipt will be sent in writing to the source of a report of possible fraud / misconduct.
 
IAO investigations are not a punitive undertaking. IAO is only responsible for the investigative function and plays no role in the disciplinary process. The separation of functions between investigation and disciplinary action provides necessary checks and balances for the proper administration of justice.