Ethics Advisor (Retainer) at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

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 organizations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Ethics Advisor (Retainer)

Job No.: VA/2024/B0201/28558
Location: Nigeria
Employment type: Contract
Department / Office: IN, ETO, Ethics Office
Contract type: IICA 
Contract level: IICA -3, ICS-11
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and budget availability

Background

• UNOPS is committed to fostering an organizational culture of ethics and a harmonious and inclusive work environment. The Ethics Office (ETO) is integral to this effort, and has an overall mandate to act as an independent office pursuant to its establishment as per ST/SGB/2007/11. Overall, the role of the ETO is to cultivate and nurture an organizational  culture of ethics, integrity and accountability, and thereby enhance the trust in, and the credibility of UNOPS, both internally and externally.
• More specifically, the ETO is responsible for developing standards, training and education on ethics issues, providing independent, impartial and confidential ethics advice to individuals and management in ethics related dilemmas, identifying key ethical risks and developing, implementing and monitoring policies and procedures, for ethical risk management and prevention of unethical behavior as well as safeguarding personnel by providing protection against retaliation.
• The Ethics Advisor reports to the Director of the Ethics Office.
• The Ethics Advisor will focus on the review of cases and ethical advisory on policies and procedure development, in relation to protection against retaliation, provide advice on outside activities and the receipt of gifts and broader issues of conflicts of interest
• The organization requires the services of an Ethics Advisor that shall be on a retainer contract to help with fluctuations in workload.

Responsibilities
Summary of Functions:

• Case management in relation to cases of protection against retaliation
• Case management in relation to outside activities, gifts and conflicts of interest
• Contribute to roll-out of Ethics awareness programmes

Case management in relation to cases of protection against retaliation:

• Conducts preliminary reviews in whistleblower and protection against retaliation cases including speaking with reporters and other relevant personnel and examining submitted documents and drafts prima facie case and final reports upon review of investigations into retaliation.
• Ensure and promote consistent ethical advice and compliance with ethics-related policies, especially the ones related to whistleblowing mechanisms and retaliation through the provision of advisory on sensitive cases.
• Consult and liaise with stakeholders, including Senior stakeholders as applicable, during the implementation phase of the revised whistle-blower mechanism.
• Develop strategy and training programme to prevent retaliation on the basis of revised mechanism in order  to foster an environment free from retaliation and fear from retaliation.
• Advises clients on applicable whistleblower and protection against retaliation policies and mechanisms.
• Based on the cases managed, advise on potential improvement and strategic alignment of the whistleblower and protection against retaliation policy, procedures and best practices.

Case management in relation to outside activities, gifts and conflicts of interest:

• Provides confidential ethics advice and guidance to management and individual personnel in relation to the applicable policy on outside activities, the receipt of gifts and honors and conflicts of interest.
• Advice on best practices, policy and procedures application and highlight areas for improvement to better align with the Ethics Office mandate.
• Lead development of recommendations and analysis on organizational conflict of interest matters and hosted entities reporting.     

Contribute to roll-out of Ethics awareness programmes:

• Contribute with advisory to the conceptualization, development and implementation of Ethics Office awareness-raising and training initiatives, partnering with relevant stakeholders to boost engagement and impact
• Advice on further effective ways to promote adherence to Ethics policies and initiatives
• Contribute to communications and advocacy aimed at highlighting UNOPS’ commitment to culture of ethics.
• Provide project management for review of whistle-blower processes under guidance of Director of the Office

Compentencies:

• 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.

Requirements
Education:      

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in a relevant field such as law, criminology, social sciences, public administration, investigations, corporate ethics or a related field is required.
• A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in organizational ethics, OR law is required, including in either corporate compliance, personnel misconduct, investigations, employee relations or other ethics-related areas.
• Experience with legal or ethics-related document drafting and analysis is required, Specific experience in providing ethics advice under the UN system is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an asset.

Application Closing Date
15th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Selected candidates who will successfully undergo the assessments will be offered a remote working contract for 1 year (renewable) but proposed a work package only when a specific opportunity arises.