Ethics Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Ethics Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
UNHCR, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and prosecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With some 17,000 women and men working in 134 countries, UNHCR works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of approximately 70.8 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. 
UNHCR is committed to the highest standards of integrity among its staff and other personnel as well as transparency and accountability in its programmes and management. Its core values include diversity, integrity and professionalism. The Ethics Office was established with an overall mandate of cultivating, nurturing and fostering a culture of ethics, respect, integrity, transparency and accountability, and thereby ensuring an environment of openness and fairness in UNHCR and enhancing the trust in, and the credibility of the United Nations, both internally and externally.
The Ethics Office is operationally independent, while complementing the work of other UNHCR Offices that deal with professional conduct. Including developing and communicating standards on ethics issues; providing training and education opportunities to personnel with the objective to promote a work environment that is characterized by the highest ethical standards; offering guidance and confidential advice to staff and management to prevent conflicts of interest; administering the financial disclosure programme and  protecting staff against retaliation.

The Ethics Officer is a member of the Ethics Office team and reports to the Director of the Ethics Office or Ethics Adviser.

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
- 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;
- Support 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 supervisor in reviewing requests for protection against retaliation, in supporting UNHCR¿s SpeakUp helpline and in promoting a speak-up culture;
- Facilitate the development and articulation of the Ethics Office priorities for operational strategies and policy development.
- Take the lead in the design, dissemination and promotion of policies and guidelines on ethics.
- 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.
- Provide input and prepare for the Ethics Office annual operations plan, and budget submission.
- 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 P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 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 4 years of work experience in progressively responsible functions involving the application or interpretation of principles of law and/or ethics, 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)


Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum is Thursday 29 October 2020 (midnight Geneva time).