Special Advisor (whistleblowing and speak up culture)

Contract

This is a IICA-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-4 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 5,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS is currently undergoing a substantial transformation journey, instigated by a number of internal and external factors. One of the projects, as part of this transformation journey, builds on the findings from independent reviews conducted by third parties in 2022, leading up to the UNOPS Executive Board recommending that UNOPS conducts an overhaul of the speak-up, whistleblowing process completely and establishes a clear, centralized and uniform process that encourages reporting and safeguards fair and confidential treatment of all reports with appropriate rules and protocols, in line with United Nations system best practices. Linked to it are the processes and mechanisms used to report and manage many different types of misconduct. Organisational culture is considered an important aspect of the journey to address the challenges as are the policies, practices and procedures at the core of the existing processes.

The project is co-sponsored by the Executive Director and the Director of the Ethics Office and involves cross-functional solution building via partnering with Ethics, HR, Legal and Internal Audit and Investigations. The project will be managed in partnership with an internal change management unit.

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose of the consultancy services

As part of the extended project team:

• Facilitate stakeholder alignment and support with stakeholder management
• Conduct workshop(s) design
• Facilitate workshop(s)
• As needed, system and process design, draft governance documents as required

• As needed, provide general expert advisory services on the subject of whistleblowing mechanisms, misconduct reporting and management, speak up culture, enabling work environment

  Objectives for the consultancy services

  In partnership with the Director of the Ethics Office and the change management unit and based on the direction set by the Executive Director:

Solution design consultancy and stakeholder alignment

• Facilitate the collaboration between key stakeholders, in order to achieve a detailed definition of the problem statement and the specifics of the solution objectives, based on the direction set by the Executive Director.
• Achieve consensus on the solution direction and content. Facilitate the solution design process to a conclusion.
• Solution is expected to be user-centric and holistic in nature, spanning across policies, processes, procedures, organisational structures and behavioural change.
• Contribute substantially to an external benchmarking exercise, to understand good practices across the UN whilst leveraging wider best practices.
• Design solutions in form or process flows, terms of reference, suggestions to policy documents.

Workshop design and facilitation

• Scope and structure a series of workshops, with the aim of methodically working though the key challenges, their root causes, solution goals and ultimately defining solution options for further refinement.
• Approx. 4-5 virtual and/or in-person workshops are envisaged (as per defined purpose of the workshop) and are expected to take place during spring / summer 2023.
• Ensure the methods are focused on facilitating co-creation and surface any barriers to driving effective change.
• Act as a lead facilitator for the workshops and as a subject matter expert (as needed), agreeing on deliverables for each workshop participant and monitoring post-workshop action plans, etc.
• Provide recommendations for project next steps at each stage, especially upon workshop completion. Provide relevant input, as required.

• Provide input to and guidance to other collaboration activities, such as the design and management focus groups, networks etc.

  Context

  • Deloitte review (2022): Assessment of UNOPS’ Reporting of Wrongdoing and Grievances Management.
• KPMG Review (2022): Third-party review of the internal control systems, risk management and overall governance structures.
• UNOPS Executive Board Decisions.
• Any background info requested, concerning the current policies and processes.
• Access to key stakeholders, as needed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Master’s degree is required. Preferably in Law, Public Administration or any related field but specific discipline is not required.

Required:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar senior advisory roles
• Experience facilitating multidimensional solution design, to address root causes of issues and in leading solutioning and implementation
• Proven track record of building rapport and facilitating alignment and collaboration between senior leaders
• A minimum of 3 years of workshop design and facilitation. A wide toolkit and proven track record of leveraging various techniques for effective workshop design and facilitation.
• Solid subject matter knowledge of whistleblower mechanisms and approaches to case management for misconduct and speak up culture. Or a wider knowledge of organizational systems of justice
• A team player mindset and willing to become part of an extended team for the duration of the assignment.

Desirable:

• Preferably with prior experience in the context of international organizations , NGOs or public sector.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is required;
• Working knowledge of either Spanish or French is desirable

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.