Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Ethics Adviser is a member of the Ethics Office¿s senior management team and s/he will report to the Director of the Ethics Office and, when required, deputize in his/her absence.
The Ethics Office is responsible for fostering a culture of ethics, integrity and accountability, and ensuring a transparent and fair work environment. The key objective of the Ethics Office is to ensure that all staff members understand, observe and perform their functions in a manner consistent with the highest standards of integrity. Specific functions include (1) advising individual staff members and the management on ethical behaviour and standards, (2) protecting individuals against retaliation (the whistle blower protection policy), (3) ensuring the implementation of the United Nations Financial Disclosure Programme in UNHCR, (4) developing, disseminating and promoting ethics-related policies.
Within the Ethics Office, the Ethics Adviser will be responsible to:

¿ oversee the design, dissemination and promotion of policies, guidelines and training materials on ethics;
¿ coordinate the revision, design, and follow-up on the implementation of a revised (internal) Code of Conduct and (external) Code of Conduct for Partners;
¿ support the work of the Ethics Office on Culture Change initiatives;
¿ coordinate the capacity building of Ethics Networks including Code of Conduct Facilitators and Peer Advisers;
¿ Provide confidential advice and guidance on ethics and standards of conduct;
¿ Assist the Director in reviewing requests for protection against retaliation, in supporting UNHCR¿s SpeakUp helpline and in promoting a speak-up culture.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

  • Facilitate the development and articulation of the Ethics Office priorities for operational strategies and policy development.
  • Ensure the Ethics Office's effective representation and engagement with strategy and policy development and evaluation processes on selected cross-cutting activities, both within UNHCR and, as appropriate, at the inter-agency level.
  • Take the lead in the design, dissemination and promotion of policies and guidelines on ethics.
  • Coordinate the revision, design, and follow-up on the implementation of a revised (internal) Code of Conduct and (external) Code of Conduct for Partners.
  • Coordinate the annual work plan of the Ethics Office with particular attention to Culture Change initiatives.
  • Coordinate the drafting of the Ethics Office Annual Report.
  • Coordinate the capacity building of Ethics Networks including Code of Conduct Facilitators and Peer Advisers.
  • Oversee the implementation of the Code of Conduct Dialogue strategy and implementation plan in the Field.
  • Liaise with other stakeholders, including the ERM (Enterprise Risk Management), the Transformation and Change Service and the Innovation Section on the Future of Ethics and ethics-related initiative including the Culture Change Initiative.
  • Design and strategize on harmonizing standards, coordination of trainings and advocacy initiatives, development of policies and procedures through liaison with bodies in and outside the UN system including research institutes, academics, (civil society) stakeholders working in the field of ethics and behavioural science.
  • Coordinate the management of the Ethics Office¿s annual budget programme.
  • Upon request from the Director, represent the Office at senior level meetings, in relevant committees and bodies, and in relations with external counterparts, including IASC, Inter-agency meetings such as the Ethics Panel of the UN, which serve as forum to exchange knowledge and good practices.
  • Provide input and prepare for the Ethics Office annual operations plan, and budget submission, upon request follow-up on the expenditure on the budget.
  • Support the work of the Ethics Office's Case Management Unit.
  • Assist in the management of protection against retaliation cases.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
International Relations Law Philosophy and ethics
Psychology Business Administration Public Administration
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law
HCR Management Learning Programme
Prevention of Harassment
Mediation
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least 7 years of work experience in progressively responsible functions involving the application or interpretation of principles of law and/or ethics, of which at least 5 years in functions requiring sound knowledge of accountability frameworks, principles and practices in the UN system.
Proven experience in dealing with staff issues based on ethical standards and case management.
Proven track record of good conduct and ethical behaviour.
Working knowledge of individual and organisational challenges in particular as these relate to the management and implementation of ethical standards.
Demonstrated mastery of management practices, standards and processes.
Experience in preparing submissions to donor bodies.

Desirable
UNHCR experience in various operational settings in the field in protection and senior management positions.
Work experience at HQ, preferably in oversight or related (independent) functions (Ombudsman, Investigations; Evaluation).
Familiarity in managing legal matters. Professional experience in dealing with ethics related matters in UN agencies.
Working knowledge of the UN internal justice system, UN Rules and Regulations, UN(HCR) Codes of Conduct and other relevant policies.
Developed knowledge of behavioural sciences and related field of study.

Functional Skills
LE-International Law
HR-Managing ethical dilemmas
MG-Experience in corporate ethics design, standards, policies, and compliance programmes
CO-Cross-cultural communication
WB-Mediation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

This vacancy is archived.

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