Ombudsman Office for United Nations Funds and Programmes

The Office of the Ombudsman is the only designated neutral resource that provides confidential, impartial, and independent services to informally address workplace concerns. The team includes conflict-resolution professionals and accredited mediators whose work is dedicated entirely to helping colleagues resolve disputes. In addition, the office maintains panels of conflict coaches and mediators drawn from more than 60 countries able to work in 45 languages.

What do we do?

We provide a confidential and neutral place to discuss workplace issues and to explore options relating to workplace conflicts. We do not take sides in disputes and operate independently from management. If you need assistance on how to resolve a conflict or on the options you may have to address a dispute, you can get in touch with us for an informal talk.

We also offer dedicated mediation services, including through the external on-call mediators who may be available in your country office. If mediation is the most appropriate tool to resolve a workplace conflict, the Mediation Unit will help the disputing parties engage in a dialogue facilitated by a neutral mediator to discuss the issues, brainstorm options, and find a consensus.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a confidential dispute resolution process, in which a neutral third-party professional - a mediator - helps the parties in dispute to engage in a constructive conversation, discuss issues, express interests, brainstorm options, find common ground, and, where applicable, reach consensus with a view to resolving the dispute.

All our mediations are based on the four key principles of the Office: confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality, independence, and informality.

We also operate in accordance with the mediation principles of voluntary participation, self-determination, and informed consent.

Contact
ombudsmediation@fpombudsman.org
Ombudsman Website

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Disclaimer

Personnel and reporters are reminded to only use the official reporting channels outlined on this portal. Providing confidential or sensitive information to external parties may amount to misconduct.

The summary content provided on this page is issued for informative purposes only and reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication. However, the summary does not amend, replace or override the applicable legal framework set out, inter alia, in the UN Charter, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the UN Staff Regulations and Rules, relevant administrative issuances and any specific contracting arrangements in place. UNOPS personnel should therefore not rely upon the summary information provided in the portal, as it is not intended to be an authoritative resource. Instead, they should refer to the aforementioned legal framework and their contract with UNOPS for definitive guidance.