- 1.3 Protected Activity is a good faith report alleging misconduct and made in accordance with the procedures set out in the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct. Protected Activity also includes cooperating, in good faith, with a duly authorized audit or investigation.
- 1.4 1.4 Ethics Panel of the United consists of the heads of the Ethics Offices of the separately administered funds and programmes of the United Nations and the Ethics Office of the United Nations Secretariat, and is chaired by the head of the United Nations Ethics Office.

### Section 2

### Protected Reporting and Cooperation with a Duly Authorized Audit or Investigation

- 2.1 As international civil servants, UNDP staff members are required to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. It is the duty of staff members to report “any breach of the Organization’s regulations and rules and to cooperate with duly authorized audits and investigations” as provided for by UN Practices3 Staff Rule 1.2 (c) and in accordance with the UNDP Policy on Fraud and Other Corrupt and the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct. Our non-staff member personnel are also expected to undertake their duties in the best interests of the UNDP. They are also expected to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, report misconduct and cooperate with audits and investigations. To seek protection against Retaliation, as provided in this policy, an individual’s report of misconduct must be made in good faith and must contain information or evidence to support a reasonable belief that misconduct has occurred.
- 2.2 While an individual who cooperates in good faith with a duly authorized audit or investigation may seek Protection against Retaliation, cooperation with an investigation will not excuse an individual’s own complicity in the underlying matter. Notwithstanding their cooperation, an individual may face disciplinary or other appropriate action for the individual’s role in the matter under investigation. Neither the investigation, nor the imposition of any disciplinary or other appropriate measure resulting from an individual’s complicity in the underlying matter under investigation, constitutes retaliatory action.
- 2.3 The dissemination of unsubstantiated or false rumors, or the submission of intentionally false or misleading allegations of wrongdoing, are not Protected Activities under this Policy. These acts may constitute misconduct for which disciplinary or other appropriate measures, including summary dismissal or termination, may be imposed either in accordance with the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and administrative issuances (for staff members), or as are referenced within that individual’s contract. See Section 10 (infra)
- 2.4 UNDP management, including the Ethics Office, will strive to protect the identity of individuals who allege Retaliation and the confidentiality of all communications made by an individual who is requesting Protection against Retaliation in accordance with this Policy. However, exceptionally, the identity of the complainant and related information may be disclosed in whole or in part a) to persons with a legitimate need-to-know in order to resolve the complaint or assist in the investigation of the matter by OAI or other duly appointed investigative body; b) in circumstances where, as part of legal proceedings, the Ethics Office is required to make such disclosure or; c) when, in the discretion of the Ethics Office, disclosure of such confidential information is required in order to adequately address or remediate the situation alleged to be retaliatory or to attempt to prevent further misconduct. In all such instances, the complainant would be consulted prior to any disclosure being made. Similarly, UNDP management will not be bound to maintain confidentiality in situations where the individual requesting protection does not maintain confidentiality or acts in such a manner from which it may be reasonably inferred that the individual waives confidentiality.