GUIDANCE FOR UN VOLUNTEERS ON REPORTING MISCONDUCT
If you’re unsure whether to report something or want to explore your options before making a complaint, click and read through the sections below to understand available possibilities.
DISCRIMINATING
Misconduct includes being unfair or subjecting personal prejudices on others based on:- Sex
- Disability
- Religion
- Language, race, nationality
- Ethnic or social origin
- Or sexual orientation and more reasons
ANY FORM OF HARASSMENT
- At workplace (and outside of work) including sexual harassment.
- Improper, unwelcome, offensive and humiliating behaviour is banned.
ABUSE OF AUTHORITY
Misusing power, seniority or influence over any other person.- Blackmailing or threatening.
- Being forceful, offensive, hostile or intimidating.
- Influencing the victim's career or assignment conditions.
BREAKING LAWS
Criminal behaviour is misconduct, including:- Drug or drunk driving.
- Selling, smuggling or owning illegal goods.
- Committing a fraud, theft or deceptive scam.
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OR ABUSE
Making sexual comments or threats. Or forcing someone vulnerable to do a sexual act, perhaps for financial, social or political benefits.“sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Similarly, the term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions
MISLEADING THE UN
Lying, out loud or in writing, is misconduct. For example:- Hiding or forging information to receive benefits and entitlements.
- Submitting fake medicals bills for reimbursement.
- Keeping facts to create a false impression of the truth to benefit from it.
MISUSING OFFICIAL UN PROPERTY
Such as:- Files and data (electronic or paper).
- Assets and equipment.
BREAKING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Violating UNV Code of Conduct and/or administrative rules from UNV and host entity.
Read this document to understand what constitutes medical insurance fraud and how to prevent it.
Find answers to your questions on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) here. Know the rules, there is no excuse.
01. REPORT
any incident that you deem to be misconduct to the duly authorized investigative body of your Host Entity.
02. BE PROTECTED FROM RETALIATION
if you report instances of misconduct or cooperate with an investigation.
03. GUIDANCE AND TRAINING
on the UNV Code of Conduct and other regulations.
04. COUNSELLING SERVICES
see below.
5. CONSULT THE UN OMBUDSMAN
to informally resolve an issue.
BE INFORMED
about what misconduct is and know all your rights and obligations. (see above)
YOUR HOST ENTITY HAS THE PRIMARY OBLIGATION
to provide relevant information and support to UN Volunteers in responding to allegations of misconduct.
YOU WILL BE PROTECTED FROM RETALIATION
after making a complaint in good faith of any breaches of UNV Code of Conduct or other misconducts at UNV or your host entity.
Keep a detailed record of all misconduct related incidents (save screenshots, files, notes on what you saw or heard). It will help you provide detailed account of the incident during investigation.
Reporting misconduct either orally or in writing to the authorized investigative body of your host entity is your duty as a UN Volunteer. Or try your supervisor or HR person at your host entity as per their guidelines. As the avenues of reporting vary somewhat between host entities, when you’re ready, please go to your host entity’s website and look for:
A TELEPHONE NUMBER
If your host entity offers a hotline, please call. Put in your complaint with their investigations team and get support, such as for sexual harassment.
A BUTTON TO UPLOAD A LETTER
Or a comment box, a form or an email address. Most host entities offer online ways to report your complaint in writing.
OR INSTRUCTIONS
on how and who to report misconduct to at your host entity. Some prefer you contact your supervisor first.
BELOW YOU CAN FIND THE DIFFERENT BODIES AND MEANS IN THE PROCESS OF REPORTING MISCONDUCT:
PRIMARY
• Office of the Ombudsman
If you are not sure which mechanism to use to report retaliation, misconduct or related matters, this office can guide you and provide you with relevant information on how best to approach this and whom to contact.
• Your supervisor / HR Focal Point - for advice
RESIDUAL
• UNV’s Service Desk at support@unv.org (although this is limited as Host Entity is primary responsible party)
PRIMARY
• Your organization’s duly authorized investigative body
• Sexual harassment hotline or other such hotlines of your host entity (where applicable)
• The Ethics office of your host entity
For protection against retaliation after reporting misconduct
BE PROMPT AND TIMELY
Report misconduct, in as much detail as you can, either orally or in writing, to the duly authorized investigative body of your host entity. Or in cases where appropriate your supervisor
BE TRUTHFUL
Explain the whole story to the best of your knowledge. If you’re unsure, it’s best to say so.
Lying about misconduct is misconduct and disciplinary measures may be imposed.
BE CONFIDENTIAL
Keep your allegations to yourself, as much as you can, even when our investigation’s finished and the case is closed.
BE GUIDED
If you feel that disclosing information to your host entity could adversely affect you. Or the wrongdoing involves a direct supervisor, then you may seek informal guidance from the United Nations Ombudsman for the United Nations Funds and Programmes on how to best proceed.
01. Feel safe, protected from retaliation by the ethics office of your host entity
You’re protected when you report misconduct or help an audit or investigation by the Secretary-General’s bulletin ST/SGB/2005/21 and host entity policies.
Any threats to you, personally or professionally, will be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly. Talk to the host entity Ethics Office if you are concerned or feel at all in danger.
02. Need help overcoming your ordeal? Speak to councillors as a family or ask for support. When you’ve reported misconduct, contact:
- Your host entity’s psychological counselling team.
- CIGNA counseling services to combat stress and anxiety to build resilience.
- Or your local Critical Incident Stress Management Unit (CISMU) run by the UN Department of Safety and Security.
Here’s the details for CISMU you’ll need:
THE AMERICAS & EUROPE
anne-marie.serranobanquet@un.org
+1-917-209-4615THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
ASIA & PACIFIC
WEST & CENTRAL AFRICA
EAST & SOUTH AFRICA
OR CONTACT HEADQUARTERS FOR HELP
CISMU
If you’re not getting the advice you need from your host entity or Ombudsman, as a last resort, you may contact UNV’s Service Desk at support@unv.org. Get in touch with your questions about reporting misconduct.
01
You’re told there’s been a complaint and the disciplinary process has started.
02
If you’re put on temporary administrative leave while you’re investigated, you’ll earn entitlements (payments, time off) as usual.
03
UNV Advisory Panel on Disciplinary Measures and Claims reviews and makes recommendations on reports of misconduct.
04
UNV Executive Coordinator decides.
- Dismissed from your assignment with immediate effect.
- Early separated and sent home early. Barred from UN Volunteer assignments for 10 years.
- Excluded for 5 years, from UNV Talent Pool, at the end of your current contract.
- Banned from having your contract extended.
- Or sent a formal letter of censure detailing our disappointment and disapproval.
The more serious the nature of misconduct, the more severe the disciplinary sanctions. If you are found guilty of misconduct, you will face disciplinary measures and may never work for the UN again. In case of sexual misconduct, you may be added to a UN database barring future UN Volunteer assignments as well as employment with any UN entity. Information about your disciplinary record may be shared with other UN entities and national authorities.
It is the Duty of UNV to inform all UN Volunteers about the administrative consequences of committing misconduct while on assignment. UNV hopes to prevent misconduct taking place by fully informing you of these consequences and of the process you would have to undergo.
