12 July 2022

How to report wrongdoing

Misconduct undermines the effectiveness, credibility and integrity of UNICEF, threatening our ability to meet the needs of children worldwide. All UNICEF personnel – regardless of how they're contracted or where they're stationed – are expected to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Those…, What to report, Sexual exploitation or abuse, In every context in which UNICEF operates, people trust us to assist and protect them. The vast majority of aid workers do so with professionalism and integrity. However, some abuse their position of power through the sexual exploitation or abuse of those who depend on them, including children. Sexual exploitation refers to any actual or attempted…, Sexual harassment in the workplace, Our mission to support children requires a workplace that supports staff. But UNICEF is not yet that workplace for every member of our team. Each year, individuals come forward to share experiences of sexual harassment. We know our measures to prevent this have not reached all corners of our working environment. And one case is one too many. Help…, Abuse of authority, Abuse of authority entails the improper use of a position of influence, power or authority against another person. It may also include behaviour that creates a hostile or offensive work environment, such as intimidation, threats, blackmail or coercion. In the workplace, this is particularly serious when affecting the career or psychological safety…, Fraud or corruption, Worldwide, UNICEF is entrusted with voluntary contributions from governments, businesses and philanthropists seeking to protect children’s rights. We're determined to make every dollar count, and to share openly UNICEF Transparency Portal where our funds come from , UNICEF Transparency Portal where they go , and UNICEF Annual Report what they…, Discrimination or racism, Since its inception, UNICEF has stood firmly against discrimination and racism. But we are not immune. Our personnel relay experiences of discrimination and racism, still, perpetrated by peers. They speak up about hurtful and disrespectful actions that betray our most fundamental values.  We will not accept this. UNICEF has one of the most diverse…, Harassment or bullying, Harassment in the workplace can take many forms – words, gestures or actions that tend to alarm, intimidate or belittle another person, including bullying. Overall, any unwelcome conduct that might be expected or perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another may constitute harassment, especially when it interferes with work or creates an…, Conflict of interest, A conflict of interest arises when, by act or omission, staff members’ personal interests cause them to discharge their official duties and responsibilities in a manner inconsistent with the interests of UNICEF.  UNICEF recognizes that engagement in outside activities may enhance personal well-being and professional development, even to the…, Retaliation, All UNICEF personnel have a duty to report any breach of the UN Charter; the UN Staff Regulations and Rules; the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service; and any of UNICEF’s regulations, rules and internal policies, to officials formally designated to receive such reports by UNICEF or the UN. Anyone who submits such a report has…, All other concerns, For issues related to performance management, interpersonal conflicts or other workplace concerns, learn where to turn. UNICEF provides confidential informal and formal channels for seeking guidance, support and resolution. How to report -->, How to report, UNICEF Office of Internal Audit and Investigations, The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) conducts independent, fact-based investigations into allegations of misconduct, fraud and other violations of UNICEF rules, regulations and policies. OIAI’s mission is to investigate reports of misconduct with professionalism, impartiality and fairness towards all parties, as well as to ensure…, UNICEF Ethics Office, The Ethics Office nurtures a culture of integrity and accountability to enhance trust in and credibility within UNICEF and the UN system. Founded on independence, impartiality and confidentiality, this team is responsible for providing advice and guidance, training and outreach, and policy input. They also administer UNICEF’s Policy on Whistle-…, UNICEF Human Resources, UNICEF's Division of Human Resources works with HR practitioners, partners and clients globally to ensure that UNICEF personnel are provided with the work environment and support they need to give their best for every child. HR supports personnel with conduct-related matters by issuing and advising on relevant policies and procedures (including…, Office of the Ombudsmen for United Nations Funds and Programmes, The Office of the Ombudsmen offers dedicated, informal dispute-resolution services to all UNICEF personnel, in addition to personnel from UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS and UN Women. The office is a strictly confidential and neutral place to discuss workplace issues and explore options for addressing conflicts. It operates independently from UNICEF…, Know your rights when reporting wrongs, Right to be protected against retaliation, UNICEF’s policy on whistle-blower protections sets out measures against retaliation for individuals who report misconduct, provide information in good faith on alleged wrongdoing, or cooperate with an authorized inspection.  All UNICEF personnel have a duty to report any breach of the UN Charter; the UN Staff Regulations and Rules; the Standards…, Right to report confidentially, All UNICEF personnel have the right to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially. Reports made to the Ethics Office and the Office of the Ombudsmen are strictly confidential and will not be shared without your express consent. The Office of Internal Audit and Investigation operates under need-to-know confidentiality, meaning the information you…, Right to receive support, If you’re seeking encouragement through the reporting process, or guidance to better understand our duty to report, you’re not alone. UNICEF staff worldwide have teamed up as Peer Support Volunteers, Staff Representatives and Ethics Champions to provide informal and confidential support to colleagues who may have experienced, or suspect they’ve…, UNICEF's work to prevent wrongdoing, FAQs, I’m not ready to report, but I’d like informal guidance. Where can I go? Can I report anonymously? Are whistle-blowers protected from retaliation?  What should I do if I believe I’ve been retaliated against? Where can I find annual reports from UNICEF’s Ethics Office? Where can I find more information on UNICEF's efforts to prevent wrongdoing in…
01 October 2020

Heading back to school in the pandemic

An entire generation has seen its education interrupted. At the height of nation-wide lockdowns in April, approximately 91 per cent of the world's students in more than 194 countries were out of school. This has caused immeasurable disruption to the lives, learning and wellbeing of children around the world.   UNICEF is working together with…, Cambodia, Back to school in Cambodia: A student reads an open book on her class desk A student at Preah Norodom Primary School in Phnom Penh. Children started returning to schools on 7 September with both teachers and students wearing masks, observing physical distancing and following safe practices. UNICEF has been working with Cambodia’s Ministry of…, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Back to school in DRC: A student wearing a face mask writes her exam in class. Elodie, a final year secondary school student in Kinshasa, takes her exam while wearing a mask. On 10 August, schools across the Democratic Republic of the Congo reopened to allow final year students to take their exams. Through the “Masks made in DRC” initiative,…, Georgia, Back to school in Georgia: a teacher faces a student in a sparse classroom. Despite physical distancing and regular temperature-checks, there is a mood of celebration and relief among children, teachers and parents alike on the first day of school in the town of Sagarejo. The new academic year began on 15 September in Georgia. UNICEF and other…, Ghana, Back to school in Ghana: school students wearing face masks cycling to school Students in Ghana wearing face masks on their way to school on 22 July. UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education to develop safety precautions for the reopening of schools. As part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that education continues, final-year students were…, Jordan, Back to school in Jordan: students stand around a flag during morning assembly Girls on their first day back to school at Aisha bent Al Mo’meneen school in Amman. Schools reopened in Jordan from 31 August for the first time since closing in March due to COVID-19 prevention measures. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education’s Safely Back to…, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Students entering the gates of their school On 18 May, Lycée de Vientiane, a public school in Vientiane, Lao PDR’s capital, welcomed back over 900 of its students. After a two-month-long school closure in Lao PDR and with no new cases reported in over a month, the Ministry of Education issued Safe Schools guidance for schools to reopen in phases.…, Mauritania, Back to school in Mauritania: students raising their hands in a classroom Students attend classes at the Bekar O Soueid Ahmed school, south of the capital Nouakchott. After several months of school closures, students in Mauritania returned to classrooms at the beginning of September. Among the precautions put in place by the Ministry of Health are…, Mongolia, Back to school in Mongolia: a girl getting her temperature checked at school A student gets her temperature checked before the start of class. Schools and kindergartens in Mongolia reopened on 1 September with prevention and precautionary measures including restrictions on the number of children in each classroom to no more than 20 pupils and…, Sri Lanka, Back to school in Sri Lanka: students washing their hands at the school taps Students wearing facemasks wash their hands at their school in Sri Lanka. Schools reopened on 6 July for certain grades after being closed since March. As part of our going ongoing COVID-19 response work for schools in Sri Lanka, UNICEF supports the Government in…