- 4.2 This Policy does not apply to UNDP staff members or non-staff member personnel who are assigned to work exclusively for another UN Fund, Agency, Programme or Department. In those cases, the staff/non-staff member in question will be covered, if at all, by the receiving organization’s rules, with respect to acts that occur during the period of the staff/non-staff member’s employment with that organization. Similarly, this Policy does not apply to UNDP staff members or non-staff members who are on a secondment or on an inter-organization exchange to another UN agency, where the secondment or exchange is governed by the receiving organization’s rules, with respect to acts that occur during the period of the staff member’s exchange to that agency.

### Section 5

### Prevention actions

5.1 Concerning allegations of misconduct received by OAI that, if established, would be manifestly harmful to the interests, operations, or governance of UNDP, OAI will inform the Ethics Office where it identifies a retaliation risk against the complainant. OAI will only provide this information to the Ethics Office upon the consent of the individual making the report.

- 5.2 When informed by OAI of such a complainant who is at risk of retaliation, the Ethics Office will consult with the individual on appropriate retaliation prevention actions. With the individual’s consent, such actions may include Ethics Office engagement with the individual’s senior management to ensure monitoring of the individual’s workplace situation with a view to preventing any retaliatory action against the individual as a consequence of their report of misconduct.

### Section 6

### How to Submit a Request for Protection against Retaliation to the Ethics Office

- 6.1 Individuals who believe that retaliatory action has been threatened or taken against them because they engaged in a Protected Activity may report their concern and request protection by contacting the Ethics Office as soon as possible (but not later than the time frames noted in Section 3), and submitting a formal written (or email) request for protection; the Ethics Office has created a UNDP Protection from Retaliation form to facilitate such requests. Please include all available supporting information and documentation, and refer to Section 3 above for the specific deadlines and time frames for submission of such request for protection. The Ethics Office is located at One United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, and can also be reached by telephone +1(212-909- 7840), or by e-mail (ethicsoffice@undp.org).
- 6.2 UNDP encourages the informal resolution of conflicts. Therefore, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Policy, an individual who believes they may have been subjected to, or is threatened with, Retaliation may, at their discretion, initially contact the Office of the Ombudsman to seek an informal resolution of the underlying matter (i.e., the issue that has given rise to the concern about Retaliation). While pursuing informal resolution via the Ombudsman, the time period for filing a complaint of Retaliation with the Ethics Office, as specified under Section 3 above, may be suspended by the Ethics Office for a maximum of 120 days, provided that the individual a) notifies the Director of the Ethics Office, in writing, that they have sought informal resolution of the matter, and b) includes written confirmation from the Office of the Ombudsman that said office is involved in such informal resolution process.
- 6.3 Pursuit of informal resolution of a matter, grievance or interpersonal problem that may form the basis of a complaint of Retaliation may not prevent or preclude the independent and eventual institution of disciplinary or other administrative action against the alleged retaliator, if appropriate.

### Section 7

### Addressing Complaints (or Threats) of Retaliation, and Requests for Protection against Retaliation

- 7.1 The role of the Ethics Office under this Policy is:
- (a) to receive complaints of Retaliation or threats of Retaliation, and requests for Protection against Retaliation from complainants;
- (b) to keep a confidential record of all such complaints;