UN Photo / Pierre Galinier

Our Principles

As the informal pillar of the system of administration of justice at the United Nations, the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services uses informal, collaborative approaches to resolve workplace conflict. It is guided by the following core principles:

INDEPENDENT

The Office maintains independence from other organizational entities, organs and officials and has direct access to the Secretary-General, the executive heads of the funds and programmes, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and senior management throughout the Organization, as needed. It has access to information relevant to cases, except medical records for example, and to individuals in the Organization who can provide advice, information or an opinion on a particular matter.

CONFIDENTIAL

The Office maintains strict confidentiality and does not disclose any information about individual cases or visits from staff members. Its staff members cannot be compelled by any United Nations organ or official to testify or disclose information about cases. The only exception to strict confidentiality is when, as determined by the Office, there appears to be an imminent risk of serious harm and when there is no other reasonable option for confidentially handling the matter.

NEUTRAL

The Office serves as an advocate for fair and equitably administered processes, not on behalf of any individual within the Organization, taking into account the rights and obligations of the Organization and of the staff member.

INFORMAL

The Office does not keep records for the United Nations or any other party. It does not conduct formal investigations or accept legal notice on behalf of the United Nations. It does not have decision-making powers, nor does it make determinative findings or judgments.

For the complete definition of the core principles, please consult our Terms of reference ST/SGB/2016/7.