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
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
IOM's institutional strategy prioritizes integrity, transparency, and accountability as key cross-cutting measures. 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 all IOM personnel on ethical issues and IOM's Standards of Conduct.
ECO's core responsibilities include providing impartial policy guidance and advice on ethical issues and concerns; training and outreach across all IOM offices; initiatives to promote a speak-up culture and protect personnel against retaliation; and an annual conflict of interest disclosure program.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of ECO, the Regional Ethics and Integrity Officer will assist in specified ongoing tasks. In particular, the Regional Ethics and Integrity Officer will hold the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Serve as the principal focal point on ethics matters for the Regional Office for East, Horn and Southern Africa, ensuring effective communication and coordination with HQ and other offices.
- Undertake preliminary assessments of retaliation complaints based on relevant legal standards and evidence.
- Monitor international administrative law and policy developments relating to ethics and contribute to the review, revision, and drafting of IOM’s ethics-related policies, instructions, and guidelines.
- Advise management and staff on ethics matters, including application of the Standards of Conduct, conflicts of interest, reporting channels and whistleblower protections.
- Identify key ethics trends, risks and concerns in the assigned Region and adapt guidance and outreach initiatives and materials accordingly.
- Lead the design and implementation of an ethics capacity-building strategy for the assigned Region.
- Develop and conduct ethics trainings throughout the Region. In addition to direct training of staff, provide training of trainers and supervise and guide ethics facilitators in the Region to cascade trainings more broadly.
- Promote the further development and appropriate implementation of conflict-of-interest and annual disclosure requirements for IOM personnel, including senior management and other staff with resource management or procurement responsibilities.
- Contribute to ECO’s knowledge management tools and knowledge sharing initiatives, including case tracking systems and databases and the preparation of periodic reports and trend analyses to show the scope, relevance and impact of ECO's work.
- Support additional initiatives of ECO and OEP, including joint strategy, learning and outreach campaigns in coordination with Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH).
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Education
- Master’s degree in Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience in the field of Ethics, Legal, Investigations, Compliance/Oversight or Dispute Resolution, preferably with a public international organization;
- Experience in reviewing allegations of misconduct, such as retaliation;
- Experience with policy analysis, review, revision, and drafting;
- Experience in delivering trainings, outreach, and capacity building;
- Experience handling a heavy and diverse workload; and,
- Field experience, particularly within IOM, is a distinct advantage.
Skills
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
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.