Key fingerprint 9EF0 C41A FBA5 64AA 650A 0259 9C6D CD17 283E 454C

-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
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=5a6T
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

		

Contact

If you need help using Tor you can contact WikiLeaks for assistance in setting it up using our simple webchat available at: https://wikileaks.org/talk

If you can use Tor, but need to contact WikiLeaks for other reasons use our secured webchat available at http://wlchatc3pjwpli5r.onion

We recommend contacting us over Tor if you can.

Tor

Tor is an encrypted anonymising network that makes it harder to intercept internet communications, or see where communications are coming from or going to.

In order to use the WikiLeaks public submission system as detailed above you can download the Tor Browser Bundle, which is a Firefox-like browser available for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux and pre-configured to connect using the anonymising system Tor.

Tails

If you are at high risk and you have the capacity to do so, you can also access the submission system through a secure operating system called Tails. Tails is an operating system launched from a USB stick or a DVD that aim to leaves no traces when the computer is shut down after use and automatically routes your internet traffic through Tor. Tails will require you to have either a USB stick or a DVD at least 4GB big and a laptop or desktop computer.

Tips

Our submission system works hard to preserve your anonymity, but we recommend you also take some of your own precautions. Please review these basic guidelines.

1. Contact us if you have specific problems

If you have a very large submission, or a submission with a complex format, or are a high-risk source, please contact us. In our experience it is always possible to find a custom solution for even the most seemingly difficult situations.

2. What computer to use

If the computer you are uploading from could subsequently be audited in an investigation, consider using a computer that is not easily tied to you. Technical users can also use Tails to help ensure you do not leave any records of your submission on the computer.

3. Do not talk about your submission to others

If you have any issues talk to WikiLeaks. We are the global experts in source protection – it is a complex field. Even those who mean well often do not have the experience or expertise to advise properly. This includes other media organisations.

After

1. Do not talk about your submission to others

If you have any issues talk to WikiLeaks. We are the global experts in source protection – it is a complex field. Even those who mean well often do not have the experience or expertise to advise properly. This includes other media organisations.

2. Act normal

If you are a high-risk source, avoid saying anything or doing anything after submitting which might promote suspicion. In particular, you should try to stick to your normal routine and behaviour.

3. Remove traces of your submission

If you are a high-risk source and the computer you prepared your submission on, or uploaded it from, could subsequently be audited in an investigation, we recommend that you format and dispose of the computer hard drive and any other storage media you used.

In particular, hard drives retain data after formatting which may be visible to a digital forensics team and flash media (USB sticks, memory cards and SSD drives) retain data even after a secure erasure. If you used flash media to store sensitive data, it is important to destroy the media.

If you do this and are a high-risk source you should make sure there are no traces of the clean-up, since such traces themselves may draw suspicion.

4. If you face legal action

If a legal action is brought against you as a result of your submission, there are organisations that may help you. The Courage Foundation is an international organisation dedicated to the protection of journalistic sources. You can find more details at https://www.couragefound.org.

WikiLeaks publishes documents of political or historical importance that are censored or otherwise suppressed. We specialise in strategic global publishing and large archives.

The following is the address of our secure site where you can anonymously upload your documents to WikiLeaks editors. You can only access this submissions system through Tor. (See our Tor tab for more information.) We also advise you to read our tips for sources before submitting.

http://ibfckmpsmylhbfovflajicjgldsqpc75k5w454irzwlh7qifgglncbad.onion

If you cannot use Tor, or your submission is very large, or you have specific requirements, WikiLeaks provides several alternative methods. Contact us to discuss how to proceed.


Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Audit of Operations in Greece (AR2005-121-02), 19 Aug 2005

From WikiLeaks

Jump to: navigation, search

Donate to WikiLeaks

Unless otherwise specified, the document described here:

  • Was first publicly revealed by WikiLeaks working with our source.
  • Was classified, confidential, censored or otherwise withheld from the public before release.
  • Is of political, diplomatic, ethical or historical significance.

Any questions about this document's veracity are noted.

The summary is approved by the editorial board.

See here for a detailed explanation of the information on this page.

If you have similar or updated material, see our submission instructions.

Contact us

Press inquiries

Follow updates

Release date
January 12, 2009

Summary

United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (UN OIOS) 19 Aug 2005 report titled "Audit of Operations in Greece [AR2005-121-02]" relating to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The report runs to 10 printed pages.

Note
Verified by Sunshine Press editorial board

Download

File | Torrent | Magnet

Further information

Context
International organization
United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services
Authored on
August 19, 2005
File size in bytes
154414
File type information
PDF
Cryptographic identity
SHA256 9627a9c6e2ab867699bdc243a5d016c5543ce235fb60a280796ab1fcb645e86d


Simple text version follows

                      UNITED NATIONS

                Office of Internal Oversight Services
                       UNHCR Audit Service




Assignment AR2005/121/02                                19 August 2005
Audit Report R05/R017




         AUDIT OF UNHCR OPERATIONS IN GREECE




                               Auditor:
                           Nikolai Grigoriev


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     UNITED NATIONS                                                   NATIONS UNIES

                          Office of Internal Oversight Services
                                 UNHCR Audit Service

          AUDIT OF UNHCR OPERATIONS IN GREECE (AR2005/121/02)

                                EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



In April 2005, OIOS conducted an audit of UNHCR Operations in Greece. The audit covered
activities with a total expenditure of US$ 0.9 million in 2003 and 2004. A summary of preliminary
findings and recommendations was shared with the Representative in April 2005, on which
comments were received in May and June 2005. A draft audit report was shared with the
Representative and the Director of the Bureau for Europe in July 2005, on which comments were
received in July 2005 and reflected in the final report. The Representative has accepted all the
recommendations contained in the final report and is in the process of implementing them.

                                       Overall Assessment
 �   OIOS assesses the UNHCR Operation in Greece as above average, taking into account the
     prompt and expeditious action by the Representation on the observations and
     recommendations of the audit. The operation was adequately run but although the majority of
     key controls were being applied, the application of certain important controls lacked
     consistency or effectiveness. In view of the timely corrective action by management, the
     implementation of most of the recommendations has been or will be completed in the near
     future.


                                    Programme Management
 �   For the implementing partner Greek Council for Refugees, reasonable assurance could be
     taken that UNHCR funds were properly accounted for and disbursed in accordance with the
     Sub-Project Agreements. However, improvements were needed in the area of reporting
     personnel changes and asset management.
 �   For the implementing partner Social Work Foundation, we encountered problems of
     reconciling the accounts with Sub-Project Monitoring Reports. Internal controls needed
     improvements to ensure consistency of information in the Sub-Project planning and reporting
     documents, as well as accuracy and completeness of financial and project records.
 �   International Social Services (ISS) had been an implementing partner of UNHCR Greece
     until the end of 2002. As of April 2005, Euro 40,545 (US$ 53,700) still remained with ISS as
     UNHCR funded termination indemnity fund. UNHCR Greece should obtain from ISS a
     confirmation that there are no outstanding liabilities and then request the reimbursement of
     the balance of the fund together with accrued interest.
 �   In 2003 and 2004, no project financial monitoring visits were performed by the
     Representation to assess the reliability of the partners accounting and budgetary controls and
     to test-check expenditure transactions. Also, monitoring of project staff against UNHCR-


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    funded posts could be improved.

                                      Supply Management

�   The Representation entered into contracts for direct mail administration in connection with
    private fundraising activities for more than US$ 73,000 without competitive bidding and
    without seeking approval of Local Committee on Contracts.

�   The review of asset management showed the need to regularly update the information
    forwarded by the Representation to the Asset Management Unit at UNHCR Headquarters.



                                      Security and Safety

�     UNHCR Greece generally complied with UN security and safety requirements. However,
    the 1995 contract with a security company needs to be reviewed to reflect changes in the
    approaches to security issues during the last few years.

                                        Administration
�   In the areas of administration and finance, the UNHCR Representation in Greece generally
    complied with UNHCR's regulations, rules, policies and procedures and controls were
    operating properly during the period under review. However, improvement and strengthening
    of internal controls were required over financial signing authority, cash management,
    reporting of cases to the LAMB and payments in connection with medical evacuation.



                                                                               August 2005


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS



CHAPTER                                              Paragraphs


  I.    INTRODUCTION                                    1-5

 II.    AUDIT OBJECTIVES                                 6

 III.   AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY                     7-9

 IV.    AUDIT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

        A. Review of Implementing Partners             10-15
        B. Other Programme Issues                      16-17
        C. Supply Management                           18-19
        D. Security and Safety                          20
        E. Administration                              21-23

 V.     ACKNOWLEDGEMENT                                 24


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  I.     INTRODUCTION

1.     From 11 to 18 April 2005, OIOS conducted an audit of UNHCR's Operations in
Greece. The audit was conducted in accordance with the International Standards for the
Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. OIOS reviewed the activities of the UNHCR
Representation in Athens and of two implementing partners.

2.     This was the first OIOS audit conducted in Greece. A UNHCR Inspection Mission
took place in May 2003. Internal control weaknesses were noted over the implementing
partners' performance monitoring.

3.      UNHCR in Greece is pursuing two main goals. The first goal is to ensure that the
principle and institution of asylum are upheld in a manner that meets high international
standards in terms of legislation and practice. The second goal is to seek Greece's continued
financial and political support to UNHCR's refugee programmes, commensurate with its
ability as a developed country.

4.      In Greece, an estimated 13,000 persons are refugees and asylum seekers.
Approximately 4,500 asylum applications were officially registered in 2004 compared to
8,200 persons in 2003. However, as many as 50,000 asylum-seekers are reported to await
registration by the competent authorities. The number of asylum applications lodged by the
nationals of Iraq was the largest and represented 20 per cent of all applications in 2004. There
was also a substantial number of asylum-seekers originating from African countries, notably
Sudan and Somalia, as well as from Central and Eastern European countries.

5.      The findings and recommendations contained in this report have been discussed with
the officials responsible for the audited activities during the exit conference held on 18 April
2005. A summary of preliminary findings and recommendations was shared with the
Representative in April 2005, on which comments were received in May and June 2005. A
draft audit report was sent to the Representative and the Director of the Bureau for Europe in
July 2005, on which comments were received in July 2005 and reflected in the final report.
OIOS would like to commend the Representation for an extensive work on the implementation
of the recommendations contained in the summary of the preliminary findings and
recommendations, as well as in the draft report. The Representative has accepted all of the
audit recommendations made in the final report and is in the process of implementing them.

                               II.     AUDIT OBJECTIVES

6.     The main objectives of the audit were to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of
controls to ensure:

   �   Reliability and integrity of financial and operational information;
   �   Effectiveness and efficiency of operations;
   �   Safeguarding of assets; and,
   �   Compliance with regulations and rules, Letters of Instruction and Sub-agreements.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              2



                      III.   AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

7.      The audit focused on 2003 and 2004 programme activities under projects
03&04/AB/GRE/LS/400 with expenditure of almost US$ 700,000. Our review concentrated
on the activities implemented by the Greek Council for Refugees � expenditure of US$
310,000; the Social Work Foundation � expenditure of US$ 167,000. We also reviewed
activities directly implemented by UNHCR with expenditure of US$ 214,000.

8.      The audit reviewed the administration of the Representation in Greece with
administrative budgets totalling US$ 381,000 for 2003 and 2004 and assets with an
acquisition value of US$ 279,000 and a current value of US$ 19,000. As at December 2004,
there were seven staff: two international and five national.

9.      The audit activities included a review and assessment of internal control systems,
interviews with staff, analysis of applicable data and a review of the available documents and
other relevant records.


                IV.     AUDIT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

                              A. Review of Implementing Partners

(a)    Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)

10.     For GCR, reasonable assurance could be taken that UNHCR funds were properly
accounted for and disbursed in accordance with the Sub-Project Agreements. OIOS assessed
that internal controls of GCR were generally in place. However, OIOS identified areas where
improvements were required.

11.    UNHCR Greece was not informed by GCR on the changes in personnel, which
occurred during a particular year. Hence, it was difficult to reconcile the work months which
should have been used for the UNHCR work in accordance with the budget with the actual
work months, for which staff had been paid. When staff was financed for full time UNHCR
work, there was no assurance that staff fully funded by UNHCR actually worked full time on
UNHCR-related activities. The Representation stated that it would undertake twice-yearly
reviews and verification exercises of GCR's SPMR to ensure the linkage of financial
monitoring with performance monitoring. The 2005 FOBS Budget for the GCR sub-project
already included clear reference to individual functional lines for project staff, the
percentage funded by UNHCR, as well as the monthly and overall financial compensation
allocated under the project.

12.    The physical check of the non-expendable equipment against the listing attached to the
Sub-Project agreement for 2004 showed that four portable computers out of five were
missing. Further queries revealed that one of them had been stolen in 2001 and another two in
2003, but this was never reported to UNHCR. No documents clarifying the circumstances
under which the computers had disappeared were provided to us. The Representation
indicated that GCR had been requested to provide a report clarifying the circumstances
under which the computers disappeared. The matter would be discussed at the forthcoming
twice-yearly verification visit at GCR, planned in August 2005, and was expected to be
completed before end of 2005.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                               3



(b)    Social Work Foundation (SWF)

13.     Our review of the substantive activities showed that for the same activity
"Subsistence/emergency needs", different figures appeared in the Sub-Project Description and
the Work Plan for 2004. An attempt to reconcile these figures with the Final Narrative SPMR
did not produce positive results. The Representation stated that, following the change in the
reporting lines, Programme/Project Control staff were now reporting directly to the Deputy
Representative responsible for protection and performance monitoring of implementing
partners with a view to ensure a more holistic and comprehensive approach.

14.     In 2004, SWF took a unilateral decision to use the unspent funds, which emerged
because of the closure of the Children's Tutorial Centre, for the increase of staff salaries by
Euro 3,500 (US$ 4,642). UNHCR was informed of this move on ex-post facto basis during
the presentation of the Final SPMR to the Representation. During the auditor's visit, SWF
was unable to reconcile the unspent funds with the raise in salaries and allowances and
provide supporting documents. Also, it was bringing up unilaterally the percentage of
UNHCR financing of posts although posts were co-financed by other agencies. The
Representation indicated that in June 2005, the Social Work Foundation (SWF) had
submitted supporting documents and information to justify the use of savings (Euro 3,500) to
cover the increase of staff costs under the 2004 sub-project, to the satisfaction of the
Representation.

15.     In order to verify the accuracy of the financial information reported in the SPMR, we
checked the expenditure details for the refugee women self-sufficiency project (EVA project),
which was one of the biggest expenditure items after personnel costs of the project. Our
review of the 2004 general ledger showed that expenditures of Euro 2,565 (US$ 3,402) or
nearly 44 per cent of the overall expenditures for the EVA project could not be reconciled
with the SPMR. In the absence of the general ledger entries, verification of supporting
documents could not be performed. The Representation indicated that in accordance with the
audit recommendation the amount had been recalculated and Euro 2,765 had been recovered
from SWF with their agreement as supporting documents could not be identified to
substantiate the charge.

                                   B. Other Programme Issues

16.     International Social Services (ISS) had been one of the implementing partners of
UNHCR Greece until the end of 2002. As of April 2005, an amount of Euro 40,545 still
remained with ISS as UNHCR funded termination indemnity fund. According to a report of
the Greek audit authorities dated 31 March 2004, an amount of Euro 36,300 was withdrawn
from the fund by ISS and used for other purposes. Further, ISS informed the Representation
that one of its former staff had initiated legal action against ISS claiming the payment of
termination indemnities. No bank statements concerning the termination indemnity fund have
been received by the Representation since January 2001.
      Recommendation:
            The UNHCR Representation in Greece should request ISS to
            provide missing statements and replenish the UNHCR
            funded termination indemnity fund. It should also obtain
            from ISS a confirmation that there are no outstanding


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              4



           liabilities and request the reimbursement of the fund balance
           of up to Euro 40,545 (US$ 53,700) together with accrued
           interest (Rec. 01).
        The Representation agreed with the recommendation. By UNHCR letter of 25 May
2005, ISS had been again requested to replenish the fund, including accrued interest to date,
provide bank statements, and inform whether a court decision has been reached regarding the
legal action of the former ISS staff member. On 21 July 2005, ISS replied that it recognized
the obligation to replenish the Termination Indemnity Fund at the earliest possible time, and
that the outcome of the legal action by the former employee is expected after September 2005.
On 28 July 2005, UNHCR requested ISS to replenish the Fund latest by end September 2005
and to reimburse the balance of the Fund to UNHCR, latest by year end 2005. LAS Geneva
is also aware of the situation and will provide further guidance if necessary. Pending the
outcome of this matter, OIOS keeps this recommendation open in its database.



17.      Financial monitoring visits to the Implementing Partners should take place twice a
year, including one in-depth review. In 2003 and 2004, no financial review visits were
performed to check the transactions and performance of GCR and SWF. The Representation
did not establish jointly with IPs an annual monitoring and reporting schedule/plan. Also, IPs
did not provide to the Representation complete information on project staff, its salaries and
allowances. UNHCR Greece indicated that it would ensure in-depth financial monitoring
reviews and verification exercises with IPs twice a year, starting in July 2005. As regards
information on salaries and allowances of project staff, in June 2005, the Social Work
Foundation provided UNHCR with copies of staffing tables, brief job descriptions, copies of
staff contracts and information on salaries and allowances, to the satisfaction of the
Representation. The Greek Council for Refugees also provided the Representation with salary
information of project staff funded by UNHCR. However, UNHCR observed that the monthly
payments do not correspond with the figures provided in the FOBS Budget. In addition, the
GCR is still to provide the Representation with copies of organigramme, job descriptions and
of staff contracts. The matter is expected to be completed before the end of 2005.

                                    C. Supply Management

18.     In 2004, the Representation entered into contracts for more than US$ 73,000 for direct
mail administration in connection with private fundraising activities without competitive
bidding and without seeking the approval of the Local Committee on Contracts. Another
company was awarded a series of contracts for fundraising and public information activities
exceeding US$ 33,000 again without following proper procurement procedures and without
the approval of the LCC. OIOS found that in 2004, the LCC was not convened at all. OIOS
recommended that the UNHCR Representation in Greece should ensure that proper bidding
procedures are followed, that any purchases reaching the respective limits for the Local
Committee on Contracts or the Headquarters Committee on Contracts be submitted to them.
Also, the feasibility of concluding frame agreements should be reviewed. The Representation
agreed with the recommendation, which had been implemented with immediate effect. The
Representation notified the HQs Committee on Contracts of a series of contracts entered into
for Private Sector Fundraising activities in 2004 and 2005 with a single vendor in excess of
US$ 100,000. The Committee on Contracts at Headquarters took note of these payments.
Further, the Representation, with the support of SMS Geneva, prepared a request for


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              5



proposals (RFP) in order to formally tender remaining activities for 2005 and was drafting a
frame agreement for repeated activities over a multi-year period. Internal training on bidding
procedures has been provided by the Representative to all staff so as to apprise them of
procurement guidelines and procedures.

19.      The review of asset management showed the need to regularly update the information
forwarded by the Representation to the Asset Management Unit of SMS. For example, the list
provided for our review showed active assets for one IP, that UNHCR Greece was no longer
working with. The Representation indicated that in June 2005, two MSRP focal points
received training at UNHCR HQs on the new asset management component of MSRP and
have thus become acquainted with the new software, so as to prepare updated reports for the
office, for its two implementing partners, and clear up old data concerning its ex-third
implementing partner, for completion by year end. OIOS also raised the issue of proper
reporting of cases to the Local Asset Management Board. UNHCR Greece indicated that for
GCR, there was a need to confirm in writing that it had performed a physical inventory of
UNHCR-purchased assets, with each asset duly checked as either active or inactive, and to
produce a formal letter stating the reasons for the write-off of any assets. The matter would
be completed before the end of 2005.

                                     D. Security and Safety

20.     UNHCR Greece generally complied with UN security and safety requirements.
However, the Security Services contract for the UNHCR Greece was concluded ten years ago,
in 1995. In view of the changes in the approaches to security issues, which have occurred
during the last decade, OIOS suggested that the Representation review the contract. UNHCR
Greece indicated that it had revised and renewed the existing security contract, taking into
account the results of the regionalization exercise of UNHCR offices in Europe and the
efforts currently being undertaken by the Representation to identify alternative office
premises. OIOS also noted that the issue of UNHCR Greece being fully MOSS compliant will
be discussed with the Security Management Team in August 2005.

                                       E. Administration

21.     In the areas of administration and finance, the UNHCR Greece generally complied
with UNHCR's regulations, rules, policies and procedures and controls were operating
properly during the period under review. However, the delegation of financial signing
authority was not up-to-date, nor was it properly documented. The Representation stated that
authorization forms had been shared with UNHCR Headquarters and the financial signing
authority for relevant staff members had been reflected in MSRP Security Access.

22.     The Representation had not assigned roles and responsibilities for the receipt of
donations in cash, which amounted to US$ 6,000 in 2004. The Representation commented
that existing practices would be thoroughly reviewed with a view to establishing a completely
new control system for receipt of cash donations that would address deficiencies of the past.
     Recommendation:
           The UNHCR Representation in Greece should complete the
           review of internal controls for receipt of cash donations,
           design a proper system and document it (Rec. 02).


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              6



        The Representation agreed with the recommendation and stated that a new PSFR
Officer would review the internal controls, and the Representation would implement new
procedures, latest by the end of October 2005. Pending the implementation of new system,
OIOS keeps this recommendation open in its database.

23.     The auditor reviewed a medical evacuation case of a spouse of a staff member (Index
No. 675643) evacuated to Paris from Athens. In May 2004, 13 nights were reimbursed at 100
per cent of the DSA rate for Paris. However, in the absence of the hotel bills DSA should
have been paid at 50 per cent of the applicable rate. OIOS recommended to obtain hotel
receipts or recover the overpayment of US$ 1,755. The Representation agreed with the
recommendation and recalculated the payments made in connection with the MEDEVAC. An
overpayment of Euro 1206 was identified and recovered from the staff member.


                             V.      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

24.     I wish to express my appreciation for the assistance and cooperation extended to the
auditor by the staff of UNHCR and its implementing partners in Greece.




                                                    Egbert C. Kaltenbach, Chief
                                                    UNHCR Audit Service
                                                    Office of Internal Oversight Services


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Personal tools