Reporting misconduct

ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT:
• What is misconduct?
• What is fraud?
• What is corruption?
• What is sexual exploitation?
• What is sexual abuse?

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What is misconduct?

The United Nations defines misconduct as “any failure by a staff member to comply with his or her obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules or other administrative issuances, or to observe the standards of conduct expected of an international civil servant.” In particular, fraud, corruption and sexual exploitation and abuse are considered misconduct, whether by UNHCR personnel or partner staff.

If you are aware of, or have concerns or suspicions about a possible case of misconduct related to UNHCR or its partners, please report this directly to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at UNHCR Headquarters:

• Online complaint form: www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/governance-and-oversight/inspector-generals-office-igo/reporting-misconduct/igo-online
• Confidential email: [email protected]

Your report will be treated with discretion and kept strictly confidential. For further information, please see:  www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/governance-and-oversight/inspector-generals-office-igo.

What is fraud?

Fraud is any act with the objective of intentionally misleading another in order to obtain a benefit. This includes obtaining assistance based on fake documents or fake claims.

What is corruption?

Corruption is an act of offering, giving, receiving or soliciting (directly or indirectly) anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party.

All UNHCR services are free of charge! Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners. If money or any form of favours (including of sexual nature) is requested from you, please report it to UNHCR immediately. Be aware that any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent.

What is sexual exploitation?

Sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes.

• Humanitarian workers are not allowed to pay for sex with money, employment, goods or services – including goods and services intended as aid to people in need. They must not use promises of these things to make other people accept any kind of behaviour that humiliates or exploits them. This includes paying or offering money for sex with a prostituted person.
• Humanitarian workers have influence over who receives goods and services. This places them in a position of power in relation to people who need assistance. For that reason, humanitarian organizations strongly encourage staff not to have sexual relationships with anyone affected by a humanitarian emergency. Such relationships make humanitarian action seem less honest and credible.

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, carried out by force, or under unequal or coercive conditions.

• Humanitarian workers are not allowed to have sexual relationships with anyone under the age of 18, even if it is legal in their country. Saying they did not know the person’s true age is not a valid excuse.

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