Friday, October 14, 2016

GOAL fallout continues as charity to close down its US offices

Image result for goal charityIrish charity GOAL is to close its offices in the United States, terminating the contracts of 10 employees.

The fallout continues for the aid agency after it emerged yesterday that CEO Barry Andrews is to step down in due course. 

The Irish Times reports that the closures were announced to US staff days before the chief executive confirmed he was stepping down.

It is understood that two staff members will remain in New York to oversee the wind-down of the office. 

The announcement follows a US led investigation into the charity for allegations of bribery and bid-rigging on the Syria border. 

As a result of the investigation, carried out by the US Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the Department of Foreign Affairs withheld €10.1m funding from Goal pending the results of the inquiry.

In a statement explaining the reason behind his resignation, former Fianna Fáil minister Barry Andrews said:

“I have served as CEO of GOAL for four years, during which time GOAL has completed a number of highly effective humanitarian responses. Our long term work has evolved significantly and I have enjoyed working with highly motivated colleagues.

“However, it has become clear to me that GOAL requires a fresh start in terms of leadership. To that end, I informed GOAL’s Board of Directors last August of my intention to step down as CEO as soon as a suitable replacement could be identified."  

The new CEO is expected to be announced in the coming days.