Chief, Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO) (P)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

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:

• Internal candidates
• External female candidates

Organizational Context and Scope

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 Chief of ECO will hold the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• 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.
• Advocate for and promote ethical behaviour, integrity, transparency and accountability across IOM, both for IOM management and other IOM personnel.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• Perform other duties as may be required

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 casework, 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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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

Required Competencies

Notes

This is a limited service posting (6 years total); no extension or transfer in IOM beyond 6 years.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.