Report fraud, corruption and misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse

Fraud What is fraud? It is any act including misrepresentation and/or concealment of material facts that knowingly or intentionally misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a benefit, whether directly or indirectly, whether for oneself or for a third party. Examples of fraudulent acts include:

• Providing false information about one’s personal circumstances to benefit from assistance or service;
• Use of fraudulent documentation or genuine documents in a false manner;
• Soliciting money for personal gain or paying money to benefit from assistance or service (e.g. registration, resettlement);
• Falsely claiming to represent UNHCR, other entities or partner agencies.

Corruption What is corruption? It is offering, giving, receiving or soliciting (directly or indirectly) anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party. Corruption could take the form of:

• An undisclosed conflict of interest;
• Unauthorized acceptance of honours, gifts or remuneration;
• Bribery (including kickbacks);
• Illegal gratuities;
• Economic extortion.

Misconduct What is misconduct? All UNHCR staff members are bound by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. Misconduct is defined as the failure by a staff member to abide by these rules and regulations. Possible misconduct can include:

• Sexual exploitation and abuse of people of concern;
• Fraud (e.g. falsifying a document to obtain a benefit);
• Corruption (e.g. taking money from refugees or others);
• Fraud related to the registration and resettlement process;
• Theft and embezzlement (e.g. stealing equipment or money);
• Sexual harassment;

In particular, financial fraud, registration and resettlement fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment are considered serious misconduct, whether by UNHCR personnel, partner staff or vendors/contractors. UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse. It is considered serious misconduct and all UNHCR staff are strictly prohibited from engaging in such behavior. In line with the United Nations standards of conduct, the staff members of UNHCR and NGO partners must not:

• Have sexual activity with anyone in exchange for money, employment, preferential treatment, goods or services,
• Have sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 years old,
• Engage in any other form of sexually humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour

How to report fraud, corruption and misconduct including sexual exploitation and abuse Report fraud by refugees and asylum seekers You should report any fraud or corruption by refugees and asylum seekers that you observe through the complaint mechanisms mentioned below. All reports will be processed in a confidential manner. Email: Country Office Islamabad: [email protected] Sub Office Quetta: [email protected] Sub Office Peshawar: [email protected] Helpline: Country Office Islamabad: +92 304 111 1437 Sub Office Quetta: +92 331 111 0237 Sub Office Peshawar: +92 300 858 5600 Letter: complaints/suggestions box are available at UNHCR offices, partner offices and communal places Report misconduct by UNHCR personnel or any entity with whom UNHCR has a contractual relationship, including partners, security personnel and interpreters. You should report any fraud, corruption or misconduct including sexual exploitation and abuse by UNHCR staff, interpreters, security guards or partners, regardless of the person’s position that you observe to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at UNHCR Headquarters. Your report will be treated with outmost discretion and kept strictly confidential. You should report through one of the following confidential channels: - By using the online complaint form: https://www.unhcr.org/igo-complaints.html - By confidential email: [email protected] - By mail: Head of Investigation Service, Inspector General’s Office UNHCR 94 rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Mark all mail as CONFIDENTIAL