Review of Inspector General Functions in Agency for International Development
ID-82-9: Published: May 21, 1982. Publicly Released: May 21, 1982.
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GAO reviewed the functions of the Inspector General (IG) including audits, investigations, and the provision of security for the Agency for International Development (AID), to identify any impediments in carrying out these responsibilities. The review was made as part of the GAO continuing followup of the effectiveness of the Administration's announced intention of strengthening the Offices of the Inpectors General throughout the Government.
The IG staff, travel resources, and ability to locate overseas has been insufficient to cover all AID programs and activities. Consequently, many highly vulnerable AID programs are not audited in depth or remain unaudited. GAO found that: (1) IG professional staff is declining, but the AID program size is not; (2) travel fund cuts have delayed audits; (3) IG is not able to locate staff overseas efficiently; and (4) security at the missions and employee residences is sometimes compromised because the regional security officers do not always provide the services the State Department has agreed to provide AID, and the AID-procured security equipment is not controlled properly overseas.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Administrator of AID should reevaluate the total resources of the Agency and determine what additional staffing and travel funds can be allocated to the Inspector General (IG) to properly perform his audit and investigative functions.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Administrator of AID, together with the Inspector General, should reemphasize and communicate the audit role and function in AID. This should identify the primary clients, types of audits to be performed, and what the mission and program managers should expect from the audits.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Inspector General of AID should direct the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and Inspections to record hours spent per case by each investigator for each biweekly pay period. These time charges should be accumulated for each case until it is closed. Periodic analysis can be made of time spent per case compared with results of these cases in directing staff time toward areas of greater importance.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Administrator of AID should issue AID security policy directives to the Inspector General and to the mission directors instructing that: (1) all AID security officers take their role more seriously and be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that the provisions of the State-AID Agreement are being fulfilled; (2) security risk categories assigned to each mission by the State Department are being supported by the AID mission director; (3) the professional advice of the AID Office of Security and the Regional Security Officer is heeded and recommended security precautions are taken and enforced by the AID mission directors; (4) security enhancement equipment delivered to AID missions is installed and used.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Not Implemented
Comments: The General Counsel of AID said that there probably will be no further action on this recommendation because it is delicate. The Director and the IG of AID will probably negotiate any new locations overseas rather than have a confrontation with the Secretary of State and the ambassadors on authority over U.S. staff at overseas missions.
Recommendation: The Administrator of AID should allow the IG to efficiently locate his staff overseas given the fact that the AID/IG function is not subject to the Monitoring Overseas Direct Employment (Mode) overseas ceilings.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Inspector General should appoint a qualified and experienced audit professional as the Assistant Inspector General for Audits to provide central focus for the audit function and give direction and guidance to the audit staff.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The AID Inspector General should instruct the Regional IG's to follow the Audit Policy Handbook and hold them accountable for doing so, especially in those areas of complete and proper workpaper support evidence and the referencing of facts in the report to ensure accuracy and supportability of the report.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The AID Inspector General should identify and consolidate recurring management problems based on his open recommendation data and plan and perform functional worldwide audits aimed at changing management policy toward solving recurring problems.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Administrator of AID should: (1) support the IG when the IG identifies management problems in the implementation phase of projects; and (2) communicate to his mission directors and program and project managers his concerns that they effectively and efficiently manage their projects.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Inspector General should direct the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and Inspections to develop criteria to be used in the monthly review of open investigative cases for deciding whether the expected recovery or outcome of each case is material enough to justify the use of additional staff resources for building a case for prosecution, or whether it should be closed by recommending administrative action.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Inspector General should direct the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and Inspections to communicate to AID management the conclusions and recommendations developed from case work that may be likely to improve AID management.
Agency Affected: United States Agency for International Development
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