Ethics Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

This post is located in the UNDP Ethics Office (NY-HQ) which assists and supports the UNDP Administrator in ensuring that all staff and non-staff members (hereafter “UNDP Personnel”) observe and perform their functions consistent with the highest standards of integrity required by the Charter of the United Nations through fostering a culture of ethics, transparency and accountability. The Ethics Specialist reports to the Director of the Ethics Office and works in collaboration with other personnel in the UNDP Ethics Office.

A core aspect of the UNDP Ethics Office mandate involves initiatives to actively promote an ethical culture in the organization. While providing support across the full range of Ethics Office activities, the Ethics Specialist will be particularly focused on initiatives aimed at promoting an ethical culture through awareness-raising, education, and outreach campaigns. The Ethics Specialist would also provide support to the Director of the Ethics Office in connection with engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including the Ethics Panel of the United Nations and the Ethics Network of Multilateral Organizations. Furthermore, the Ethics Specialist would support the UNDP Ethics Office in other core mandated activities including, inter alia, in the provision of ethics advice, and administration of the Financial Disclosure Programme and UNDP’s Policy on Protection against Retaliation, as well as other tasks within the Ethics Office mandate as directed by the Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

His/her functions will fall into the broad categories below:

• Coherence, training and ethics awareness programmes
• Provision of ethics advice
• Administration of the Financial Disclosure Program (FDP) and the Protection against Retaliation (PaR) Policy

Coherence, training and ethics awareness programmes

• Develop and implement Ethics Office awareness-raising and training initiatives, partnering with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation;
• Engage in communications and advocacy aimed at highlighting UNDP’s commitment to an ethical culture.
• Maintain and periodically update Ethics Office intranet and public-facing website;
• Update and develop Ethics Office documents and social media;
• Assist in coordinating and representing the Ethics Office in internal working groups/partnerships related to Ethics and Culture;
• Periodically deliver ethics training to UNDP Offices (including on mission and in-person at HQ and Country Offices);
• Assist the Director in activities related to Ethics Panel of the United Nations, Ethics Network of Multilateral Organizations and other inter-agency fora;
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Director

Provision of ethics advice

• Monitor the Ethics inbox and provide timely and confidential ethics advice and guidance to UNDP Personnel;
• Assist in the management of the Ethics Office case database and case information, including data entry;
• Monitor ethics case trends and conduct analysis into the root causes of ethical dilemmas for UNDP personnel;
• Assist in the development of ethics guidance bulletins, and the Ethics Office’s annual report.
• Conduct ethics research where required.

Administration of the Financial Disclosure Program (FDP) and the Protection against Retaliation (PaR) Policy

For FDP:

• Conduct reviews of submitted FDP statements, and provide advice to filers on potential and actual conflicts of interest;
• Conduct FDP research and formulate recommendations for the Ethics Director and Ethics Adviser to improve programme effectiveness;

For PaR Policy:

• Advise UNDP Personnel on the UNDP’s PaR policy and internal UNDP grievance mechanisms;
• Conduct preliminary reviews of UNDP PaR requests, and draft prima facie case findings in consultation with the Ethics Advisor and Ethics Director;
• Develop management recommendations, where appropriate;
• Engage with UNDP Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI), Office of the Ombudsman, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of Legal Support (OLS) and other relevant offices, if required, on retaliation cases;
• Review retaliation investigations and draft final retaliation determinations for review by the Ethics Advisor and Ethics Director;
• Employ creative solutions to prevent retaliation and reduce instances of formal complaints.
• Conduct protection against retaliation research and develop education materials

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree master’s degree, or equivalent) in law, ethics, international affairs, communications, corporate compliance, human resources management, or related subject.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience in organizational ethics may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in organizational ethics, training, communications or other related fields. Experience in delivering training and developing communications plans and campaigns is required.
• Experience in conducting research and analysis of issues and providing written ethics advice in an international organization is desirable. Prior UN system experience, especially in an Ethics function in the United Nations system is desirable.

Languages:

• English, French and Spanish are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency (oral and written) in English and Spanish is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

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Apply by Oct 8th, 2023

About the Organization

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.