ADS Chapter 109: Ethics and Standards of Conduct

This policy establishes internal agency procedures for documenting and processing ethics compliance, reiterates basic ethics rules, and describes the potential consequences of ethical misconduct. The policy is not a substitute for annual ethics education or a final answer to ethical dilemmas, and employees are encouraged to contact an Agency Ethics Official for specific guidance. The Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) is responsible for administering and managing Title I of the Ethics in Government Act and the USAID Ethics Program. The DAEO serves concurrently as the Assistant General Counsel for Ethics and Administration and acts as the Agency's liaison to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). The Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official (ADAEO) is appointed by the Administrator in consultation with the DAEO and has all the authority of the DAEO when acting in their absence. The Office of General Counsel, Ethics and Administration (GC/EA) is responsible for managing the USAID Ethics Program, including annual ethics education for Agency employees, collection and review of financial disclosure forms, and providing guidance on all ethics matters. The Agency Ethics Officials/Officers are delegated the authority of Deputy Ethics Officials and work on all matters related to ethics, including providing advice, leading ethics education, and conducting exit counseling for employees separating from the federal service. The Regional Legal Advisors (RLAs) are delegated the authority of Deputy Ethics Officials at the posts/region to which they are assigned and serve as the primary resource for Mission management on the ethics implications of Mission programs and operations. Executive Officers (EXOs) and Administrative Management Staff (AMS) Officers are responsible for identifying OGE-278 and OGE-450 filers, collecting financial disclosure forms, and administering education compliance in collaboration with GC/EA or the RLA and Controllers. The policies in this chapter are supplemental to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and apply to all Civil Service, Foreign Service, Foreign Service National, and Personal Service Contractor employees. The ethics rules apply to U.S. citizen Personal Services Contractors, Foreign Service Nationals, and Third-Country National Personal Services Contractors, who are considered federal employees under the General Provisions of AIDAR App. D § 12, cl. (2)(c) and AIDAR App. J § 12, cl. 2(c), respectively. The Office of the Inspector General/Investigations (OIG/I) investigates procurement and contract/agreement fraud as well as serious misconduct by USAID employees. The Office of Security/Personnel Security Division (SEC/PSD) is responsible for personnel security and suitability, conducting periodic reinvestigations, special investigations, and limited inquiry investigations to evaluate the integrity, trustworthiness, and loyalty of USAID employees, prospective employees, and contractors. The policies in this chapter are designed to promote ethics and integrity within the Agency and to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Employees are encouraged to seek out an Agency Ethics Official/RLA if confronted with an ethics issue. The Agency's ethics program is managed by the Office of General Counsel, Ethics and Administration, and is overseen by the Designated Agency Ethics Official. The USAID Ethics and Standards of Conduct policy is a critical component of the Agency's overall ethics program, which is designed to promote a culture of ethics and integrity within the Agency. The policy provides guidance on ethics rules, procedures, and requirements for Agency employees, and is an essential tool for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.