Savoirs

En 2016, le Bureau de l'audit et de la surveillance (AUO) et sa Section des enquêtes ont joué un rôle essentiel pour garantir le respect du principe de tolérance zéro adopté par le FIDA à l’égard de la corruption, de la fraude et de la faute professionnelle. Le Bureau a su réagir efficacement et dans les meilleurs délais aux allégations d’actes répréhensibles en achevant les investigations concernant 56 plaintes au cours de l’année, soit un taux d’achèvement beaucoup plus élevé que les années précédentes, et en faisant généralement en sorte de

mettre un terme aux problèmes avec promptitude et efficacité.

Les actions de sensibilisation à la lutte contre la corruption se sont intensifiées avec la participation d’AUO à un certain nombre d’activités, notamment à l’échelle régionale, le lancement à titre expérimental d’un module de formation en ligne en matière de lutte contre la corruption, la célébration de la Journée internationale de lutte contre la corruption et une intensification des activités de coordination avec la Division des services de gestion financière (FMD), le Bureau de la déontologie (ETH) et le Département gestion des programmes (PMD).

En 2015, le Bureau de l'audit et de la surveillance (AUO) et sa Section des enquêtes ont contribué significativement aux efforts d’atténuation des risques institutionnels par un examen et/ou une enquête portant sur 57 plaintes d’irrégularités, par le
renforcement des procédures d’enquête et des procédures disciplinaires et par des activités de sensibilisation à la lutte contre la corruption. L’année 2015 a été difficile en raison du nombre élevé et de la complexité des nouvelles plaintes, de l’ampleur
des réformes à mettre en oeuvre et des mouvements de personnel clé en début d’année. Grâce à l’appui supplémentaire important apporté par la direction en termes de budget, AUO a pu recruter des experts extérieurs et mener à terme ses tâches
d’enquête avec toute l’indépendance et la latitude voulues.

Conformément à ses attributions, en 2014, le Bureau de l'audit et de la surveillance (AUO) et sa Section des enquêtes ont joué un rôle essentiel pour garantir le respect du principe de tolérance zéro adopté par le FIDA à l’égard de la corruption, de la fraude et de la faute professionnelle. De plus, il a efficacement contribué aux efforts déployés par le FIDA en faveur de la gestion des risques, en privilégiant les domaines présentant un intérêt majeur pour le modèle opérationnel et financier du Fonds, toujours en évolution, et en donnant suite dans les meilleurs délais et de façon efficace aux allégations d'actes fautifs.

Le Bureau de l’audit et de la surveillance (AUO) et sa Section des enquêtes ont pour mandat de mener des enquêtes sur les allégations de pratiques irrégulières en relation avec les activités et opérations du FIDA. Ce mandat trouve son origine dans la charte d'AUO, le règlement des ressources humaines et le Code de conduite ainsi que la Politique du FIDA en matière de prévention de la fraude et de la corruption dans le cadre de ses activités et opérations. Grâce aux activités d'enquête et de lutte contre la corruption, le FIDA veille à ce que les fonds destinés au développement parviennent bien aux destinataires de la manière la plus efficiente, efficace et transparente possible et que le personnel du Fonds respecte les normes d’éthique et d’intégrité fixées par le FIDA. Le nombre de nouvelles plaintes reçues par AUO en 2013 est légèrement plus élevé par rapport à 2012 (39 en 2013 contre 33 en 2012), du fait de l’accroissement du nombre d’allégations externes de fraude, en particulier dans le domaine des passations de marchés, ainsi que du nombre d’affaires liées au personnel. En 2013, AUO a clôturé avec succès 41 cas, dont plusieurs enquêtes complexes, et des mesures ou sanctions disciplinaires ont été appliquées dans six cas: 5 internes et un externe.

IFAD’s investigative and anticorruption activities aim to ensure that development funds reach intended beneficiaries in the most efficient, effective and transparent manner possible. Fraud and corruption divert resources away from the people who need them most. The goal of the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1) is the prevention of fraud and corruption within the Fund itself and in activities financed by IFAD at local, national, regional and international levels.

The Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO) and its Investigation Section (IS) have been mandated to investigate alleged irregular practices, namely: (i) fraud and corruption, in relation to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in an IFAD-financed project or headquarters-related contract; and (ii) staff misconduct. 

In its efforts to help poor rural people overcome poverty, IFAD aims to ensure that development funds reach them in the most efficient, effective and transparent manner possible. Fraud and corruption divert resources away from the people who need them most. The goal of IFAD’s Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1 - “the anticorruption policy”), is the prevention of fraud and corruption within the Fund itself and in activities financed by IFAD at local, national, regional and international levels.

Pursuant to the adoption by the Executive Board in December 2005 of the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1, paragraph 26) (the anticorruption policy), the Investigation Section of the Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO/IS) has a mandate to investigate alleged irregular practices, namely: (i) fraud and corruption, in relation to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in an IFAD-financed project or headquarters-related contract; and (ii) staff misconduct. Implementation of this policy and the subsequent establishment of a Sanctions Committee have aligned IFAD with best practices applied by other United Nations agencies and the major multilateral development banks in this area.

In 2010 there were some indicators that the proactive anticorruption awarenessraising activities undertaken by AUO/IS in past years were bearing fruit. An increase in complaints received by AUO/IS in 2010, discussed in more detail below, could reasonably be attributed, at least in part, to training and anticorruption presentations given by staff of the Investigation Section. AUO/IS also noted the excellent response in 2010 from Programme Management Department (PMD) staff with regard to reporting allegations and in terms of cooperation afforded to the Section.

The Investigation Section of the Office of Audit and Oversight (OA/IS) has a mandate to investigate alleged irregular practices, namely (i) fraud and corruption, in relation to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in an IFAD-financed project or headquartersrelated contract; and (ii) staff misconduct, pursuant to the adoption by the Executive Board in December 2005 of the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1). Implementation of this policy, along with the establishment of a Sanctions Committee, has aligned IFAD with best practices in this area of other United Nations agencies and the main multilateral financial institutions.

Twenty-seven new allegations were received in 2009, compared with 30 in 2008. Fifty-nine per cent were external, mostly involving bidding irregularities and procurement-related fraud. Emphasis has been placed on promoting awareness of the anticorruption policy at every stage of the project cycle, thus putting the anticorruption message in the foreground. 

The Investigation Section of the Office of Audit and Oversight (OA/IS) has a mandate to investigate alleged irregular practices, namely (i) fraud and corruption, in relation to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in an IFAD-financed project or headquarters-related contract, and (ii) staff misconduct, pursuant to the adoption by the Executive Board in December 2005 of the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1, paragraph 26). Implementation of this policy, along with the establishment of a Sanctions Committee, have aligned IFAD with best practices applied by other United Nations agencies and the major multilateral development banks (MDBs) in this area.

OA/IS was fully staffed in 2008, enabling it to pursue its dual role of conducting investigations and, more broadly, implementing the IFAD anticorruption agenda. 

The Investigation Section of the Office of Audit and Oversight (OA-IS) was set up in 2006 with a mandate to investigate alleged irregular practices, namely (i) fraud and corruption, when applied to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in IFAD-financed activities, and (ii) staff misconduct. This was pursuant to the adoption by the Executive Board in December 2005 of the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (EB 2005/85/R.5/Rev.1, paragraph 26). The establishment of a Sanctions Committee and the development of debarment procedures in February 2007 further bolstered the effectiveness of the IFAD investigative and sanctions process. These changes aligned IFAD with best practices applied by other United Nations agencies and the major multilateral development banks (MDBs) in this area. 

The Oversight Committee (OVC) was established in May 2000 with a mandate to coordinate investigations into alleged irregular practices, namely (i) fraud and corruption, when applied to entities, contractors and non-staff individuals applying for or participating in IFAD-financed activities, and (ii) staff misconduct. The efforts of the Fund to prevent the incidence of fraud and corruption in its activities and operations were further boosted through the adoption of an anticorruption policy by the Executive Board in November 2005. Throughout 2006, IFAD worked towards introducing the structures and tools required for implementing its anticorruption policy. In 2006, the investigative capacity of the OVC was considerably reinforced with the establishment of the Investigation Section within the Office of Internal Audit. The OVC took specific actions to model its operating procedures and practices according to quality standards and best practices. It also took the lead in other activities related to implementation of the IFAD anticorruption policy, which included organizing an external review of the Fund’s investigation and sanction processes. The review prompted a major institutional reform of IFAD’s legal framework and procedures for conducting investigations and imposing sanctions, including the disbanding of the OVC, redefinition of the role of the Office of Internal Audit (renamed the Office of Audit and Oversight), establishment of a sanctions committee, and development of debarment procedures. These changes were introduced in early 2007, aligning IFAD with best practices applied by other United Nations agencies and the major multilateral development banks in this area. 

The IFAD Oversight Committee (OVC) was established by the President of IFAD in May 2000 to coordinate investigations into alleged irregular practices as a means of ensuring consistent, prompt and appropriate responses to allegations. The OVC investigates allegations of irregular practices pertaining to activities within IFAD or in connection with operations and contracts financed by IFAD, decides on the investigative actions to be taken, determines the role of IFAD in investigations involving external parties (such as national authorities or cooperating institutions), and reports to the President the facts that have emerged from the investigation.

The Oversight Committee (OVC) was established by the President of IFAD in May 2000, pursuant to President’s Bulletin 2000/04, to coordinate investigations into alleged irregular practices as a means of ensuring consistent, prompt and appropriate responses to allegations. The OVC membership comprises the Vice-President of IFAD as Chair, the General Counsel and the Chief, Internal Audit.1 The Special Advisor to the Vice-President and other IFAD officers (on invitation) have also participated in OVC meetings. The mandate of the OVC was reinforced in July 2003 through the adoption of the UN/IFI Uniform Guidelines for Investigation (see President’s Bulletin 2003/06, copy attached).