Terms of Reference

Department of Institutional Integrity
Terms of Reference

In pursuing its mission of promoting development and reducing poverty, the World Bank Group¹ strives to ensure that its funds, as well as those funds entrusted to the Bank Group, are used for their intended purposes.  The Bank Group is committed to working with governments to fight fraud and corruption.  The Bank Group is also committed to ensuring that Bank Group staff work in an ethical environment, free from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and the misuse of Bank Group resources.  The Bank Group has created the Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) to play a key role in pursuit of these objectives.

Authority
The Bank Group has charged INT with the responsibility for the investigation of fraud and corruption in Bank Group operations.  The Bank Group has also charged INT with the responsibility for investigating allegations of misconduct against Bank Group staff.  In both instances, INT reports its findings to senior management.   In addition, INT assists in preventative efforts to protect Bank Group funds, as well as those funds entrusted to the Bank Group, from misuse and to deter fraud and corruption in Bank Group operations.

Independence
INT’s activities must be carried out in an atmosphere free of improper influence, or even the perception of improper influence.  Therefore, to ensure the independence of its activities, the Director of INT reports directly to the President of the Bank Group.

Activities
INT maintains effective lines of communication to permit Bank Group staff and the public to submit to INT allegations of staff misconduct or allegations of fraud or corruption in Bank Group projects.  INT ensures that allegations can be submitted on an anonymous basis and a confidential basis.  INT also conducts its investigations with a view to preventing false allegations from causing harm to the reputations of wrongly accused individuals or firms.

In carrying out its investigative work, INT uses its expertise and lessons learned from its findings to recommend to senior management measures to prevent the misuse of Bank Group funds.  INT participates in the training of Bank Group staff to prevent and detect fraud and corruption in the Bank Group and in Bank Group projects. In addition, INT devises pro-active efforts to identify and eliminate fraud and corruption in the Bank Group and in Bank Group projects.  When warranted, INT prepares notices of debarment proceedings recommending to declare firms ineligible to be awarded future Bank-financed contracts for engaging in fraudulent or corrupt practices.

INT respects the rights of Bank Group staff members by executing its responsibilities in a fair, impartial, and professional manner consistent with all applicable Bank Group rules.   INT also takes steps to promote an environment whereby Bank Group staff can report misconduct without fear of retaliation.  Like all staff members, INT personnel adhere to the Principles of Staff Employment, the Staff Rules, the Code of Ethics and other relevant Bank Group policies. 

INT is responsible for establishing its internal procedures and for ensuring that such procedures are consistent with externally recognized practices for conducting investigations in international organizations.  In its dealings with firms and individuals not employed by the Bank Group, INT acts in a fair and professional manner while maintaining its obligation to protect the Bank Group’s assets and reputation.

Access

When conducting its investigations, INT personnel have unrestricted access to all Bank Group records, documents, and physical properties with the following conditions:

• Access to the contents of computer files and other electronic records shall be in accordance with the Detailed Information Security Policy.
• Access to personnel records shall be in accordance with Staff Rule 2.01 (“Confidentiality of Personnel Information”).
• Access to individual medical records shall be in accordance with Staff Rule 2.02 (“Confidentiality of Medical Information and Medical Records”).   Such records are not available to INT personnel without the express authorization of the staff member or person to whom the records relate.
• Access to the records of Conflict Resolution System providers such as the Ombudsman and the Mediation Office shall be in accordance with the Staff Rules establishing those offices.   In the case of some of these providers, such records are not available to INT personnel without the express authorization of the staff member concerned.
• Access to any documents in the possession of the Bank Group that are covered by a confidentiality agreement with an external entity shall only be disclosed to INT in a manner consistent with such agreement.

INT personnel also have access to all Bank Group staff to obtain information relevant to investigations in accordance with Staff Rule 8.01.

Partnerships
INT works closely with the Legal Department on issues that relate to the legal status of the Bank Group and its staff or its privileges and immunities, including debarment proceedings and contacts with national law enforcement authorities.    In addition, INT coordinates with the Internal Auditing Department and the Operations Evaluations Department to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the work of these departments.  Finally, INT collaborates with the Ethics Office and the World Bank Institute to design and provide appropriate educational and awareness training for Bank Group staff and clients.

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¹The World Bank Group consists of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.