Addressing Audit Findings on Official Travel at UNEP
The audit conducted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services highlighted the critical need for UNEP to enhance accountability and transparency in managing travel funds. Key recommendations include setting the tone at the top, enforcing accountability mechanisms, and developing policies to minimize travel. Actions taken involve ensuring staff record leave, monitoring travel advances, and assessing the necessity of travel plans.
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Update on actions taken to address the audit of official travel at the United Nations Environment Programme Sonja Leighton-Kone Director, Corporate Services Division
Presentation Overview Lessons Learned Key Audit Findings 1 2 4 3 Next Steps Actions taken by UNEP
The Audit and Key Findings The Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) conducted an audit of official travel at the United Nations Environment Programme The audit covered the period from 1st January 2016 to 31st March 2018 The audit showed that there is a critical need for UNEP to enhance accountability and transparency in the management utilization of travel funds 14 Recommendations in total One is critical 13 are important Who? When? Findings?
Management Establish an appropriate tone at the top by emphasizing the necessity for managers and staff to respect the applicable regulations and rules established
Compliance Ensure that staff record the leave taken during official travel in the time management module
Enforce Establish and enforce an accountability mechanism to ensure that managers and staff travelling on mission prepare mission reports and promote transparency.
Assess Ensure that managers and supervisors reviewing travel plans clearly indicate on the travel plan that the necessity of travel has been assessed
Monitor Establish a mechanism to monitor and resolve long outstanding travel advances.
Minimize Develop policies and incentives that minimize travel
Plan Ensure that managers and supervisors reviewing travel plans clearly indicate on the travel plan
Resolve Establish a mechanism to monitor and resolve long outstanding travel advances.
Actions taken by UNEP Respect of UN rules and regulations 01 Issuance of strengthened travel guidelines. 02 In-depth review of individual travel plans and linkages to other staff policies. 03 Strengthen link between use of travel and results 04 Standardize processes, reports and intensify training 05
Lessons Learned This is opportunity to have a renewed commitment to effective management mechanisms and processes. There was a gap in senior leader s visibility on travel, not only of direct report but more widely across teams. Adhering to the spirit of the new delegated authorities issued; clarity has been provided on accountabilities and the monitoring mechanisms which will be placed at the disposal of senior leaders to support them. Implementation of improved guidelines which offer preventive + detective controls.
Next Steps Refresher training of key staff in the travel process Behavior to model in travel planning Use of templates Updates on steps taken in implementation with the supporting document evidence is updated + shared. Of particular note, pleased to report 80% of outstanding advances cited have been settled and further actions are on-going.
For further information: Sonja Leighton-Kone Director, Corporate Services Division Mobile No: +254-741-604-440 Email: sonja.leighton-kone@un.org .
