Ethics Officer – WHO jobs in Switzerland

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-06

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Located within the Office of the Director-General’s Division, the mission of The Compliance and Risk Management and Ethics (CRE) department is to systematically identify organization-wide risks, and by topic area, maintain a risk register record, evaluate it according to its likely impact and probability, and proactively have it managed by risk management owners. CRE seeks to integrate internal control compliance into all policies and managerial decisions. The CRE ensures promotion and uphold of highest organizational standards of the Organization, its codes of conduct and core values. Through the Ethics function, CRE monitors that all staff observe and perform their functions consistent with the highest standards of integrity required under International Civil Service. CRE liaises independently with internal parties across the different levels of the Organization, developing and presenting to the Director-General its annual work plan of delivery of compliance, risk management, ethics needs, through its Due Diligence and Non-State Actors unit (DAN), CRE conducts due diligence in accordance with the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors across the three levels of the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent plays a crucial support role to the work of CRE’s Ethics unit by providing ethics advice that promotes/upholds the Organization’s ethical principles. Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Ethics, the incumbent handles individual cases submitted to Ethics/CRE for advice with minimal supervision. The incumbent applies impartial judgement and refers to the Unit Head, Ethics to ensure constant feedback and provision of relevant updates at critical junctures where inputs are required. Specifically, the incumbent:
1. Provides confidential advice to individuals at all levels of WHO, on ethical issues, within delegated responsibilities as required; advises on ethical courses of action and develops solutions to address situations where there may be no precedent, in compliance with WHO policies, rules/regulations and procedures;
2. Identifies systemic issues and concerns on policies, procedures, overall performance of duties and responsibilities and work climate, without breaching confidentiality and/or anonymity, with a view to providing upward feedback to relevant stakeholders on corrective and preventative action as may be appropriate. Prepares briefings and ad hoc guidance containing recommendations for action to be taken on individual cases;
3. Provides advice and guidance, on issues varying in complexity on conflict of interest relating to declarations of interests of individual exerts, referring to Unit Head, Ethics as appropriate; this involves close liaison with technical programme staff, in order to understand the technical objectives and needs of given programmes, in the wider context of the Organization’s normative work as a whole, researching and analyzing applicable policies and processes, and developing conflict of interest management strategies with relevant departments;
4. Reviews and provides advice on staff declarations of interest and outside activities’ requests for authorization;
5. Reviews and assesses information submitted as part of the preliminary review of claims of retaliation in accordance with the policy on whistleblowing and protection against retaliation; analyses information to determine its relevance and reliability, conducts interviews with relevant involved parties; prepares briefings and ad hoc guidance to prepare Ethics/CRE recommendations for protection actions to be taken on individual cases; and liaises as required with relevant departments including, Department of Human Resources, Office of Internal Oversight Services and Office of the Legal Counsel;
6. Takes part in the Ethics unit’s outreach initiatives aimed at fostering a better understanding of the role of the Ethics unit, and related WHO policies (i.e. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Policy on Whistleblowing and Protection against Retaliation, the Guidelines on Individual Experts Conflict of Interest…) and mechanisms across WHO and contributes to designing new informative and training materials. Specifically delivers Ethics/CRE briefings for interns and induction of new staff;
7. Performs other special reviews and tasks assigned by the Unit Head, Ethics and Director CRE, as may be required by the exigencies of the work of the office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree in Law, relevant Ethics/Philosophy, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field relevant to the position.
Desirable: Recognized relevant certification and knowledge of current best practices relating to ethics and conduct would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of national and international professional and progressive work experience in complex public and/or private institutions in values & ethics or conduct & discipline, ethics and compliance programmes, codes of conduct or ethics, accountability & compliance frameworks, management of financial disclosure policies and/or whistleblower protection policies. Proven experience in writing technical documents.
Desirable: Experience working with WHO, familiar with its goals and strategies, including ethical principles. Experience working in a multi-national setting with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Skills

Demonstrate integrity by modelling WHO’s values and ethical standards.
Strong skills and understanding in the field of ethics and compliance.
Strong skills in the development of policies and guidelines related to establishing compliance and ethical standards.
Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and an ability to conduct independent research and analysis.
Ability to demonstrate impartiality and objectivity, being guided by the highest ethical principles.
Ability to carry out inquiries objectively and neutrally.
Respect for confidentiality during the conduct of his/her work.
The incumbent should have excellent organizational and analytical skills, collaborative work style complemented by interpersonal and presentation skills.
Good capacity for organizing, summarizing and presenting information to different audiences is essential.
Tact, discretion and diplomacy. Demonstrate ability to critically analyze issues and take informed decisions.
Incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communications skills in English.
Demonstration of knowledge and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment and accomplish tasks with multiple objectives. Demonstrated ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Setting an example
Knowing and managing yourself
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 5967 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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