Hiring of Ban's Son in Law to Lobby UN Confirmed by IFRC, No Safeguards

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 16 -- With a second term for Ban Ki-moon stalled in the UN Security Council due to a lack of endorsement by the Latin American and Caribbean states group, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has now partially answered questions about their hiring of Ban's son in law as Chief Diplomatic Officer, including lobbying Ban and the UN.

The IFRC says it doesn't see any need for safeguards, hiring a son in law to lobby his father in law at the UN. They also say the IFRC didn't initially know Siddarth Chatterjee is related to the Secretary General of the UN, until he was “shortlisted” for the Chief Diplomat Officer.

Then they say this close family relationship played no role in selection, and requires no safeguards or recusals. We'll see.

Ban & book; rights communications withheld to keep access

Here are IFRC's response, from its (sole) media relations officer:

Q: At today's UN noon briefing I asked the spokesman for Ban Ki-moon to confirm that Ban's son in law Siddharth Chatterjee has been selected to work for IFRC, on information and belief as chief dipomatic officer, and if there are any safeguards in place regarding lobbying or diplomacy by a relative. On both questions, the UN spokesman said I should “ask IFRC.” So now I am, in writing 1) confirm that Ban's son in law has been selected by IFRC.

Confirmed.

Q2) please state what role his relation to Mr. Ban played in his selection. None.

Q3) Was IFRC aware? The search and short-listing of Mr. Chatterjee was carried out by an independent recruitment company. The IFRC has full trust in the methods and diligence of this company. When Mr. Chatterjee was shortlisted the IFRC became aware of his connection through marriage to the UNSG but this factor played no role whatsoever in Mr. Chatterjee’s final recruitment. Mr. Chatterjee’s professional background has been thoroughly checked and referenced by the independent recruitment company, the outcome of which showed conclusively that Mr. Chatterjee was a highly-accomplished and well qualified candidate for this challenging position at the IFRC. The IFRC will assess Mr. Chatterjee on his performance in his current role and not entertain unsubstantiated rumours which may have followed him from the UN.

Q4) Are there are safeguards in place? Safeguards against what?

Q5) please describe the position of chief diplomatic officer, including all ways it may intersect with the UN system.

The newly adopted Strategy 2020 established Humanitarian Diplomacy as one of the three enabling actions to deliver on the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s (IFRC) strategic aims and to strengthen the coherence and impact of our collective voice. According to Strategy 2020, Humanitarian diplomacy is a multi-directional effort that highlights the needs and rights of vulnerable people, whilst striving to give them a strong voice in all negotiation processes. IFRC seeks to prevent and reduce vulnerability by using appropriately the auxiliary role of National Societies in order to achieve greater access to people in need, and by drawing attention to the causes and potential consequences of emerging or re-emerging vulnerability. IFRC promotes the image of the Movement through its worldwide network of informed representatives who can project its work more widely. This is complemented by strong external partnerships and a diversified and expanded resource base.

Under the direction of the Under Secretary for Humanitarian Values & Diplomacy, the Head, International Relations (Chief Diplomatic Officer), will implement the humanitarian diplomacy goals of Strategy 2020. Working with such external actors as opinion leaders, decision-makers, policy-makers, corporate leaders, academics, think-tanks and other stakeholders within governments, international, multilateral, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, regional groupings, professional networks, representative organizations, and other global entities, he/she will leverage the Red Cross/Red Crescents’ collective voice at local, national, regional and global levels.

So -- Ban's son in law with “work with...intergovernmental organizations,” presumably including the UN, to “leverage the Red Cross/Red Crescents’ collective voice.” That's called lobbying, by one close family member of another. No need for safeguards? Watch this site.

With Ban's Son-in-Law Leaving UNOPS, Now Said in Line to Lobby UN for IFRC

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, May 18 -- When the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's son in law Siddharth Chatterjee in 2009 was given the top Middle East job for the UN Office of Project Services in Copenhagen, issues of nepotism were raised by the Press and angrily denied by Ban's spokesmen at the UN.

In March of this year when Inner City Press asked about Chatterjee leaving UNOPS, where sources described him as ineffective and called “the furniture,” the UN first tried not to answer, then said

“Chatterjee left his position as UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East in July 2010 and, after taking accumulated annual leave, went on special leave without pay until 31 May, of this year, 2011. The end of the special leave without pay coincides with the end of his period of secondment to UNOPS from UNICEF.”

Some thought that this leave from the UN system meant an end to nepotism, an end to Chatterjee trading off his connection to the top man in the UN system.

Now, multiple sources tell Chatterjee is lining up to be given the job of “chief diplomatic officer” for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, overseeing a “New York Delegation to the UN” based at 420 Lexington Avenue.

That is, IFCR is reportedly hiring Ban Ki-moon's son in law to lobby (or engage in “diplomacy” with)... Ban Ki-moon.

Here is the UN's transcript of the March 15 noon briefing:

Inner City Press: I asked a simple question whether the son-in-law of the Secretary-General was still being paid by UNOPS, [United Nations Office for Project Services] as well as whether his educational things may be being paid. Farhan [Haq] said, “Ask UNOPS”. So, I sent them an e-mail, I don’t have an answer, but I also notice that Farhan is listed as the New York Spokesman for UNOPS on their web page. So, I just, I think you may… maybe you have an answer to it and so then all of this is now moot, but, what is the answer?

Spokesperson: It is, Matthew. First of all, UNOPS will probably be sending you the e-mail saying what I am going to say, which is that Mr. [Siddarth] Chatterjee left his position as UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East in July 2010 and, after taking accumulated annual leave, went on special leave without pay until 31 May, of this year, 2011. The end of the special leave without pay coincides with the end of his period of secondment to UNOPS from UNICEF. And during his special leave without pay, Mr. Chatterjee does not receive any payments or funding from UNOPS. And for your information, a new Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East joined UNOPS on 4 October 2010. That’s what I have for you, okay.

After that, Inner City Press sent these follow up questions to Haq and Martin Nesirky.

They responded, “please contact UNOPS. The information provided at the briefing today came from UNOPS.”

Inner City Press then sent the follow to UNOPS, still with no response:

Hello. Yesterday I was told to “ask UNOPS” about the S-G's son in law and I emailed Copenhagen questions (although Farhan Haq is listed as New York contact for UNOPS).

I have yet to receive any e-mail response from UNOPS, so I had to ask at the noon briefing, and Mr. Nesirky read out a response, saying he expected I'd get an email from UNOPS. I still haven't, so I emailed Nesirky and Haq, UNOPS New York contact. Now I get a reply to that saying “ask UNOPS.” This seems like a run around: I would like an answer, in writing, today, to the below:

1. You said that Chatterjee is on leave without pay until May 31, 2011, when his secondment from UNICEF runs out. Will be remain in the UN system as a staff member after May 31st?

2. UN staff rule 5.3(a)(i) says that "Special leave may be granted at the request of a staff member holding a fixed-term or a continuing appointment for advanced study or research in the interest of the United Nations, in cases of extended illness, for child care or for other important reasons for such period of time." For what reason did the UN approve leave without pay for Chatterjee?

3. Who made the decision to place Chatterjee on leave without pay?

Watch this site.