Conduct and Discipline

Mandate of the Office of Conduct and Discipline:

 

The mandate of the Office of Conduct and Discipline includes the following actions:

  1. Act as the focal point of the Mission in all matters related to conduct and discipline, including everything related to sexual exploitation and abuse.
  2. Receive complaints or reports of misconduct committed by Mission personnel and provide advice on the steps to be followed in accordance with the rules and procedures of the United Nations.
  3. Design and implement actions to prevent misconduct on the part of Mission personnel.
  4. Follow up on assistance to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Mission personnel.
  5. All information is treated in with CONFIDENTIALITY.

 

What is expected from the behaviour of persons working for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia? 

It is expected that they:

  • Have Zero Tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:
    • Do not offer work, money or goods in exchange for sex.
    • Do not hire prostitution services.
    • Do not have sex with people under 18
  • Do not abuse alcohol
  • Do not consume any type of drugs
  • Do not participate in illegal activities
  • Act with impartiality and respect to the actors of the peace process
  • Respect local culture and beliefs.
  • Respect Colombian Laws

 

How and where to report acts of misconduct?

Phone number: (57) 320 3189229 

Email: mc-cdreport@un.org

 

Complaints about misconduct must contain, as far as possible, the following information:

  • What happened exactly?
  • When?
  • Where?
  • Who are the persons of the Mission involved (name, category of personnel, position, place of work and other information that allows identifying the presumed subject)?
  • Who can be possible witnesses to the incident (name, place, contact information)?
  • Name and contact information of the complainant

 

 

Anti-fraud and anti-corruption

As stated in Administrative Instruction ST/IC/2016/25, the Secretariat takes a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption involving its staff members, other personnel and third parties concerning their work with the Secretariat. All allegations of fraudulent acts committed by any individual or entity involved in a contractual relationship with the Organization will be vigorously pursued.

Fraud encompasses any act or omission whereby an individual or entity knowingly misrepresents or conceals a material fact to obtain an undue benefit or advantage for himself, herself, itself or a third party or to cause another to act to his or her detriment. Corruption encompasses any act or omission that misuses official authority or seeks to influence the misuse of official authority to obtain an undue benefit for oneself or a third party.

 

Outside Employment and Activities

Outside activities are regulated in the Staff Rules and Regulations 1.2(o) and ST/IC/2006/30.

Outside Activities are not part of a staff member’s official duties/functions.  Consequently, a staff member engaged in an outside activity is not acting as a UN official. These activities are undertaken in his/her capacity, on his/her own time and at his/her own expense.  Since outside activities have the potential to call into question the independence and impartiality of the staff member or reflect adversely on the Organization, they require prior approval.

Failure to obtain prior approval could result in disciplinary action.

(link sends e-mail