Chief, Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO)

Position Title: Chief, Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 20 June 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

IOM’s institutional strategy prioritizes integrity, transparency, and accountability as key cross-cutting concerns. As part of the Office of Ethics and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (OEP), the Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO) plays a lead role in strengthening IOM’s culture of integrity through policy and advisory work, training, and support to the Organization and all IOM personnel on ethical issues and IOM’s Standards of Conduct.

ECO’s core responsibilities include provision of impartial policy guidance and advice on ethics concerns; global training and outreach across all IOM offices; initiatives to promote a speak-up culture and whistleblower protections; and an annual disclosure program.

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and direct supervision of the Director of OEP, the Chief of ECO is responsible for managing the ECO Team, work program, and resources. In particular, the incumbent will hold the following responsibilities:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead the development and promotion of a robust framework of ethics-related policies, procedures, and guidelines; and advise on the ethical dimensions of other aspects of IOM’s institutional policies and practices.
2. Advocate for and promote ethical behaviour, integrity, transparency and accountability across IOM, both for IOM management and other IOM personnel.
3. Manage the provision of timely guidance and practical advice to IOM management and personnel on ethical matters, including the interpretation and implementation of the IOM Standards of Conduct, potential conflicts of interest, and other ethics questions.
4. Manage the implementation and periodic review of IOM’s Protection Against Retaliation(PaR) policy to ensure impartial assessment of retaliation complaints and appropriate protections for whistleblowers.
5. Lead the design and execution of ECO’s training and outreach program to raise awareness of IOM’s values and standards of conduct, encourage a speak-up culture, and reinforce a work environment of respect and integrity.
6. Manage ECO’s annual disclosure program, ensuring strategic development, implementation, and compliance per best practices to manage conflicts of interest for senior and key personnel.
7. Manage the tracking, analysis and reporting of institutional ethics data or trends and resulting recommendations for periodic ECO/OEP reports, including reports to IOM senior management and/or IOM’s governing bodies, as needed, including the Audit and Oversight Advisory Committee (AOAC).
8. Manage ECO’s personnel, work program, and resources on a day-to-day basis to ensure the quality, efficiency and integrity of ECO’s contributions consistent with ECO’s mandate, confidentiality, and best practices.
9. Liaise with all relevant stakeholders as appropriate, including the Office of Internal Oversight(OIO), Office of Legal Affairs (LEG), Office of the Ombudsman (OOM), Department of Human Resources (DHR), and Institutional Risk Management (IRM).
10. Promote internal and external knowledge sharing, including through participation in the Ethics Network of Multilateral Organisations (ENMO); monitor best practices and emerging trends in the ethics field; and lead innovations and improvements in ECO’s work, including automation and other initiatives.
11. Perform other duties as may be required.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, Governance, International Development or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Advanced understanding of and work experience in Ethics, Law, Compliance/Oversight, and/or Dispute Resolution, preferably within a public international organization or humanitarian agency;
• Experience working with organizational ethics, including ethics policies and procedures, integrity and compliance programs, prevention, culture change, and learning and communications strategies; and,
• Direct experience with ethical decision-making and ethics case work, including general ethics advice, conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and protection against retaliation.

Skills

• In-depth understanding of administrative policies and procedures of international organizations;
• Highest level of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and independence;
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and conflict situations;
• Excellent advocacy, communication and negotiation skills;
• Proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally and in writing;
• Ability to carry out all inquiries objectively and impartially, guided by the highest principles of ethics;
• Ability to lead and motivate teams to deliver on strategic and operational priorities, including under time pressure and other resource constraints;
• Strong analytical, strategic, creative thinking and problem-solving skills; and
• Ability to liaise effectively with high-level interlocutors.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

This is a limited service posting (6 years total); no extension or transfer in IOM beyond 6 years. The position holder is ineligible to participate in the annual rotation exercise.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.