Ethics Officer, P-2, Home Based [Temporary Appointment]

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, care

The Ethics Office was established in December 2007 based on the Secretary General’s Bulletin on “United Nations System-wide Application of Ethics: Separately Administered Organs and Programmes” (ST/SGB/2007/11 of 30 Nov 2007). The Office works to cultivate and nurture a culture of ethics, integrity and accountability and thereby enhance the trust in, and the credibility of the United Nations and UNICEF, both internally and externally. 

The following are the mandated areas of work of the Office: (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. 

Under the direct supervision of the Ethics Manager, the Ethics Officer will be responsible for administering UNICEF’s Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Program and contribute towards the review of the Policy on Financial Disclosure and Declaration of Interest Statements. The Ethics Officer, in addition, provides overall support towards the work of the Ethics Office including assisting on projects related to the case management system, the use of artificial intelligence/possible chatbot as well as any other task that may be required.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of the role of the Ethics Officer is to primarily implement the mandate of the Ethics Office to administer the Financial Disclosure Program thereby helping staff members and UNICEF prevent or manage conflicts of interest. The Ethics Officer will also provide support towards implementing other mandated areas of the Office.

Key Functions:

1. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Program (FDP)
2. Policy input and update
3. Provide support to the Office towards the implementation of its mandates

1. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Program (FDP):

• In close coordination with the Ethics Manager, administer the UNICEF Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Program.  Key responsibilities include:
• Make the necessary preparation to launch of the annual CIFD cycle including by developing and updating relevant manuals, guidelines and templates.
• Facilitate the registration and filing stages of the annual cycle providing the required support and guidance to heads of offices and filers.
• Review and verify the annual CIFD statements of staff members to identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and to provide corresponding guidance to filers to prevent or mitigate possible conflicts of interest in line with relevant UNICEF/ UN Policies.
• Analyse the data and provide information on the CIFD Program including for sharing with other offices in line with relevant offices and for annual reporting purposes.
• Work closely with ICTD to enhance the efficiency and user friendliness of the CIFD system.

2. Policy input and update:

• Provide technical input on draft policies, procedures, standards, and other rules shared with the Ethics Office to ensure alignment with ethical standards and principles.
• Assist in the revision and development of the Policy on Financial Disclosure and Declaration of Interest Statements in consideration of relevant JIU recommendations, various feedback, and developments in the area.
  • Conduct a desk review and benchmarking on the relevant Policies and practices of UN agencies, other international organizations, leading domestic jurisdictions and recent literature and studies including on the recommendations forwarded by relevant bodies in this regard and the actions taken by other agencies.
  • Develop a concept paper on the review of the CIFD Policy.
  • Facilitate consultation of key stakeholders.
  • Support in developing the Draft Policy and /or proposed revision based on the findings of the desk review.

3. Provide support to the Office towards the implementation of its mandates.

• Support the work of the office in relation to case management system.
• Contribute towards the use of AI/ chatbot by the office.
• Undertake any other task that may be assigned towards the implementation of the Office’s mandate.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• A university degree in business or public administration, social science, finance, accounting, auditing, or any other relevant field of discipline.

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in business administration, finance, legal, oversight or related roles required.
• Prior experience in the review of financial disclosure statements is required.
• Experience in policy review and analysis is desirable.
• Excellent Written and verbal communications skills in English is required.
• Excellent command of IT and relevant computer software is required.
• Experience in applying technology, AI and advance systems in data and case management is preferred.
• Exposure to the work of Intergovernmental Organizations and UN agencies on financial disclosure programs is preferred.
• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.