Retaliation Against a Whistle-blower

After receiving allegations of wrongdoing that implicated a senior manager, the OIG investigated a sub-recipient of a Global Fund TB grant. The manager was accused of irregular procurement and financial practices, nepotism, manipulating attendance records to claim extra entitlements and other instances of non-compliance of human resources policies and procedures.

The OIG investigators confirmed the irregularities. They also found that the senior manager had ended the employment contract in an act of retaliation following the allegations.

The OIG concluded that the Principal Recipient responsible for sub-recipient oversight failed to comply with Global Fund grant contractual requirements when it did not take appropriate actions to deal with the retaliation. The OIG also found that the Principal Recipient discouraged employees from reporting irregularities to the Global Fund, contrary to Whistle-Blowing Policy and Procedures.

Based on the conclusions of the OIG investigation, the Global Fund is taking steps to strengthen the protection and anonymity of whistle-blowers in Global Fund supported grants in country. This will include ensuring that the Principal Recipient’s policies and procedures are aligned with the relevant requirements of the Global Fund Grant Regulations and the Global Fund Whistle-Blowing Policy and Procedures and that all Global Fund program employees are aware of these requirements. A grievance procedure is being put in place at the Principal Recipient level in addition to other remedial actions to protect whistle-blowers.

More resources on Coercion

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