Director, Ethics Office, D-1, New York, USA

The Director of the Ethics Office in UNICEF will take a proactive role in fostering management and staff awareness of UNICEF's standards on ethical behavior, the prevention of conflicts of interest, proper conduct and sound business practices as established in the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. The Director reports directly to the Executive Director and will advise management and staff in order to promote an organizational culture and work environment that is characterized by high ethical standards and in full compliance with applicable regulations, rules and other administrative issuances.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The past two decades have seen important progress on child rights, yet while much has been achieved, sharp disparities remain. In most countries, inequality is higher today than a generation ago, including in middle income countries where a majority of the world’s poor children now live.  The rapid pace of urbanization and the growing youth bulge in Africa and parts of Asia will require significant expansion of the provision of essential services for children.  These challenges are compounded by the scale and complexity of crises triggered by conflict, natural disasters or epidemics.  The global community faces these challenges when the political and economic environments pose challenges of their own, testing the world’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.  In this environment, ethical leadership of UNICEF is critical to enable the achievement of results for children.

UNICEF’s Ethics Office was established in December 2007 and its activities are undertaken in the following mandated areas of work: (a) standard-setting and policy support; (b) training, education and outreach; (c) advice and guidance; (d) the Financial Disclosure Programme; (e) the protection of staff against retaliation; and (f) participation in the Ethics Panel of the United Nations and the Ethics Network of Multilateral Organizations.

How can you make a difference?

The Director of the Ethics Office will take a proactive role in fostering management and staff awareness of UNICEF standards on ethical behavior, the prevention of conflicts of interest, proper conduct and sound business practices as established in the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. The Director reports directly to the Executive Director and will advise management and staff in order to promote an organizational culture and work environment that is characterized by high ethical standards and in full compliance with applicable regulations, rules and other administrative issuances. The post will work closely with the Ethics officials of the other separately administered Funds and Programmes and the Director of the Ethics Office of the United Nations Secretariat in order to establish a harmonized and coherent system across the UN Secretariat and the Funds and Programmes.

The Director, Ethics Office is expected to manage and will be supported by a small team of staff.

The Director’s key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks include:

• Policy/Advocacy

The   Director, Ethics   Office will   be responsible for formulating, reviewing and disseminating ethics related policies and providing guidance related to all ethical issues (conflicts of interest, outside activities, etc.) in accordance with the common standards of conduct prescribed for all UN staff. This includes an advocacy role of promoting ethics and culture of integrity within UNICEF and coordinating with relevant internal units (such as legal, internal audit, and human resources), as appropriate, as well as the Ethics Office within the United Nations Secretariat.  This also includes participation in relevant inter­ agency fora and facilitating where practical, a harmonized approach with other UN bodies.

• Advice to Management

The Director, Ethics is expected to provide guidance to UNICEF management to ensure that UNICEF's policies, procedures, and practices reinforce and: promote the ethical standards called for under the UN Charter, and that the ethical standards pertaining to employment with UNICEF are clearly understood by staff.

• Prevention & Outreach

The Director, Ethics is the focal point for raising staff awareness of expected ethical standards and behavior; within the context of oversight as well as human resources development policies, strategies and programmes and in close cooperation with the respective human resources and oversight organizational units. The Director is responsible for increasing awareness of UNICEF's values, the standards of conduct and procedures through orientation, learning and induction programs, and relevant communication means to provide a continuous reinforcement of an ethical work environment in UNICEF.

• Advice to Staff

The Director will be available to provide staff with guidance on specific ethics related policy and practice issues and queries, including conflict of interest, financial disclosure, and protection against retaliation.

• Receiving complaints of Retaliation

In accordance with the UNICEF's protection policy against retaliation, the Director, Ethics shall receive complaints of retaliation, make a prima facie determination whether there is a credible case of retaliation or a threat of retaliation, and refer cases where such a determination is made to the Office of Internal Audit for further investigation.

• Financial Disclosure

The Director, Ethics will be responsible for strategic development and implementation of UNICEF's Financial Disclosure Program.  The Director facilitates the identification of staff members required to file within the ambit of the applicable policies/guidelines and ensures staff understanding of and full compliance with the financial disclosure requirements.

• Reporting

The Director prepares and presents an annual report to the Executive Board in accordance with the Executive Board decisions 2010/18 and 2014/12.  The annual report will include the number and general nature of matters brought to the attention of the Director, Ethics, systematic ethics issues found in UNICEF and recommendations to the management based on these observations.

Given the nature of this position the Director, Ethics is expected to operate completely independent and without supervision, to exercise independent judgment, and to take initiative. The Director, Ethics is independent of any official, division, office or other organizational entity.                                                      

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree in Advanced university degree in law, administrative law, public administration,  criminal justice, social sciences (e.g. industrial psychology, industrial labour relations) or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 15 years professional work experience including 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of corporate or business ethics and related fields, preferably in the international arena.
• Knowledge of current industry best practices relating to corporate ethics and business conduct/practice would be an asset.
• An impeccable record for integrity and ethical behavior.
• Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; and an ability to conduct independent research and analysis;
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on highly sensitive issues with staff and managers at all levels, with particular emphasis on developing trust and demonstrating fairness;
• Experience and demonstrated sensitivity in working with cross cultural aspects of human relations and the ability to influence appropriately.
• Experience in field operations in UNICEF or other international organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core competencies

Builds and maintains partnerships; Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness; Drive to achieve results for impact; Innovates and embraces change; Manages Ambiguity and Complexity; Thinks and Acts Strategically; Works Collaboratively with Others; Nurtures, Leads and Manages People.

View our competency framework: https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/DHR-UCF

Remarks:

The Director Ethics Office will be appointed to a five-year initial appointment, renewable once for up to an additional five years. The Director Ethics shall be ineligible to hold any other post in UNICEF after the Director’s term expires.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.