Ethics Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates across five areas of operation, focusing on delivering education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. The agency is dedicated to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to ensure that Palestine refugees can live with dignity and have access to essential services, thereby contributing to their overall well-being and development. For more information, visit https://www.unrwa.org/

Job Overview:
The Ethics Officer position at UNRWA is a critical role that involves developing and improving the ethical framework within the organization. The officer will contribute to the creation of policies, directives, guidelines, and procedures that support a culture of ethics and compliance. This position requires a proactive approach to suggesting activities aligned with the overall strategy and objectives of the Ethics Office. The officer will also be responsible for drafting the annual Ethics Office strategy and work plan, ensuring that the organization remains updated on new developments and best practices in ethics. The role includes designing and delivering training and outreach programs to raise awareness about ethical issues among staff, as well as managing the Ethics Focal Points Network. The Ethics Officer will provide confidential advice and guidance on ethical dilemmas, conduct assessments of retaliation cases, and support the development of key ethics risk indicators. This position is essential for promoting adherence to high ethical standards within UNRWA and ensuring that ethical considerations are integrated into all aspects of the organization's functioning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Ethics Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Developing and improving policies, directives, guidelines, and procedures to support an ethical framework within UNRWA.
• Reviewing and providing input on policies and practices that promote a culture of ethics and compliance.
• Drafting the annual Ethics Office strategy and work plan, and suggesting activities in line with the overall strategy and budget proposals.
• Designing, developing, and delivering training and outreach programs to increase awareness of ethical issues among staff.
• Drafting outreach materials such as brochures and posters, and updating the Ethics Office Intranet Page and external web page.
• Managing the Ethics Focal Points Network, providing guidance and support, and preparing for monthly meetings.
• Administering and proposing amendments to the annual conflict of interest disclosure for international staff.
• Providing confidential ethics advice to management and personnel on various ethical issues.
• Supporting the Case Management System by analyzing trends and recommending improvements. 1
• Conducting assessments of retaliation cases and drafting assessments for the Chief, Ethics Office. 1
• Supporting the development of key ethics risk indicators and effective risk management practices. 1
• Drafting the Ethics Office annual report and other relevant documentation. 1
• Participating in inter-agency discussions and forums related to ethics.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Ethics Officer position must possess the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, international law, public administration, human resources management, behavioral sciences, or a related field with a focus on ethics.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in managing ethics issues and integrity training, including areas such as law, corporate compliance, employee relations, and staff misconduct investigations.
• Familiarity with the UN system, rules, regulations, and standards of conduct is desired.
• Candidates must declare any current or past affiliations that could impact their neutrality or independence in performing their duties.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Ethics Officer position includes an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited institution in fields such as law, international law, public administration, human resources management, behavioral sciences, or a related area with a focus on ethics. A first-level university degree combined with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least five years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in managing ethics issues and integrity training. This includes experience in law, corporate compliance, employee relations, and staff misconduct investigations. Additionally, candidates who are not currently serving as international staff members in the UN Common System must have a minimum of two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside their country of nationality or citizenship.

Languages:
For this position, English is required at UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is desirable, but not mandatory. Familiarity with French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The position is a temporary appointment for six months, with the possibility of extension. The incumbent may be required to travel throughout UNRWA’s five fields of operation based on operational needs. Applications must be submitted in English, and only fully completed applications in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system will be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity and encourages applications from under-represented groups. The agency is also dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. UNRWA does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is a non-smoking work environment.