Ethics Specialist, P-3, United States, New York

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, dedication

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?

Provide guidance to management and staff on specific ethics-related policy and practice issues, including workplace issues, conflict of interest, and protection against retaliation. Decisions that reflect poor judgment or knowledge will reflect negatively on the Ethics function and might have a serious impact on UNICEF's practices and image. Inaccurate or incomplete advice can lead to decisions that compromise the Organization's interest. Given the nature of this office, the Ethics Specialist is expected to operate with strategic direction from the Ethics Manager, to exercise sound judgment, and to take initiative, consistent with the independence of the Ethics Office. The Ethics Office is independent of any official, division, office or other organizational entity.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Policy/Advocacy:

Formulate, review, and disseminate ethics-related policies, embed ethical considerations where relevant, and provide guidance related to all ethical issues (workplace issues, retaliation, 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 a culture of integrity within UNICEF and coordinating with relevant internal units (such as organizational culture, OIAI, communications, human resources, etc.), as appropriate, as well as participation in relevant interagency fora and facilitating where practical, a harmonized approach with other UN bodies.

2. Advice to Management:

In collaboration with the Ethics Manager and the Director, 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 UNICEF personnel.

3. Prevention, Training, and Outreach:

Raise staff awareness of expected ethical standards and behavior; within the context of oversight as well as human resources policies, strategies, and programmes and in close cooperation with the respective human resources and oversight organizational units. Increase awareness of UNICEF's values, standards of conduct, and procedures through training and outreach. In collaboration with the Ethics Manager, develop the Ethics Office’s strategy and directions on training and outreach, develop materials, and plan and conduct training and outreach activities, in coordination with other relevant offices as required. Assist the capacity development and engagement of Ethics and Culture Champions.

4. Advice and Guidance:

Manage intake and conduct monitoring and follow-up of the advice and guidance requests on specific ethics-related policy and practice issues and queries, including workplace issues, retaliation, conflicts of interest, outside activities, etc. Provide confidential advice and guidance to UNICEF personnel to ensure compliance with the UN Staff Regulations and Rules, relevant and applicable UNICEF Executive Directives, and the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service.

5. Receiving complaints of Retaliation:

Contribute as needed, in collaboration with the Ethics Manager to receive and review requests for protection against 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 and Investigations for further investigation, in accordance with the UNICEF's Whistle-blower protection policy.

6. Financial Disclosure Program:

Contribute as needed, in collaboration with the Ethics Manager to administer the UNICEF Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Program and provide guidance on issues that have been disclosed in order to prevent or manage possible conflicts of interest.

7. Reporting:

In collaboration with the Ethics Manager, prepare the Ethics Office annual report to be presented to the Executive Board in accordance with the Executive Board decisions 2010/18 and 2014/12.

8. Additional responsibilities:

Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Director and Ethics Manager in support of the efficient functioning of the Ethics Office.

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

Education: An Advanced University Degree* (Master’s or higher) in law, ethics, public or business administration, social science or other relevant field from a recognized institution.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience (7 years) may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience, with progressively responsible experience in the field of organizational ethics, law, corporate compliance, auditing, governance, anti-corruption activities or employee relations and related fields, preferably in the international arena.

• An impeccable record for integrity and ethical behaviour is required. Experience in or familiarity with field operations in the UN or other international organization is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments and ability to communicate advise with authority;
• 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;
• Proven conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills; and an ability to conduct independent research
• and analysis;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Experience and demonstrated sensitivity in working with cross-cultural aspects of human relations and the ability to influence appropriately; and, Knowledge of current industry best practices relating to organizational ethics and conduct/practice is an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Given the role in advice and guidance and training and outreach, fluency in another UNICEF language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is highly desirable and is an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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