The OAS Office of the Ombudsperson provides assistance to members of the OAS community, helping in the management and resolution of work-related concerns and conflicts.

Established in 2015, the Office of the Ombudsperson provides support to the full range of OAS personnel, regardless of type of appointment or duty station. The Office provides a safe, confidential space to share concerns. We are a resource that is impartial, confidential, independent and informal.

Contacting the Office of the Ombudsperson is entirely voluntary. The Office of the Ombudsperson is a good place to start when unsure about where to take a work problem but would like to talk to someone or when in need of an independent facilitator to help work through a problem and resolve an issue outside formal channels. The Ombudsperson assists parties in clarifying issues, identifying options and working toward resolution of workplace concerns. The Office of the Ombudsperson also identifies systemic issues and makes recommendations to the organization’s leadership that may lead to changes in procedures, policies and practices. The Office thus works to improve the work environment and enhance the quality of work life for the OAS community.

In performing its function, the Office of the Ombudsperson is guided by the OAS Charter, the General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat, OAS Staff Rules, and the principles of justice and fairness. The work of the Ombudsperson adheres to a professional code of ethics and standard of practice based on the principles of impartiality, confidentiality, independence and informality.