What OIG Inspected

OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Port of Spain.  

What OIG Found 

• Embassy Port of Spain’s Front Office generally complied with Department of State standards for tone at the top and standards of conduct, execution of foreign policy goals and objectives, security and emergency planning, and equal employment opportunity. Embassy staff praised the Chargé d’Affaires’ self-awareness, communication skills, and ability to plan strategically.
• The embassy had deficiencies in residential safety, the contracting officer’s representative program, and the furniture and appliance pool.
• The Chargé d’Affaires and the acting Deputy Chief of Mission did not conduct required reviews of nonimmigrant visa adjudications performed by the Consular Section chief.
• Embassy Port of Spain had deficiencies related to the security of information systems and information technology assets, mobile device management, and telephone operations. 

What OIG Recommends 

OIG made 18 recommendations to Embassy Port of Spain. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with 2 recommendations, neither agreed nor disagreed with 15 recommendations, and disagreed with 1 recommendation. OIG considers all 18 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.