Ethics Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 194

• Its primary mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA aims to help these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their plight. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members. UNRWA is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual donors. The organization is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the world's most vulnerable communities, and it welcomes applications from individuals who are passionate about contributing to this mission.

Job Overview:
The Ethics Officer position at UNRWA involves providing timely and confidential ethics advice and guidance to management and individual staff members on various ethical issues. These issues include staff misconduct, conflicts of interest, gifts, honors, and remunerations, as well as adherence to humanitarian principles. The incumbent will monitor trends and conduct analyses to identify the root causes of ethical dilemmas faced by staff. The role also includes supporting the implementation and monitoring of the new Policy on Outside and Political Activities, conducting complex organizational and legal research, and liaising with various departments and offices within UNRWA. The Ethics Officer will advise staff on the Agency's policy for the protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with audits or investigations. Additionally, the officer will engage in training and outreach initiatives to raise awareness about ethical issues within the organization, develop training materials, and support the Ethics Focal Points Network. The position requires a proactive approach to preventing retaliation and addressing ethical concerns within the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Ethics Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing timely and confidential ethics advice and guidance to management and staff on ethical issues, including staff misconduct, conflicts of interest, and humanitarian principles.
• Supporting the implementation and monitoring of the Policy on Outside and Political Activities, including conducting management checks on conflicts of interest.
• Conducting complex organizational, managerial, and legal research, and liaising with various departments and offices for advice and requests.
• Advising staff on the Agency's policy for protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with audits or investigations.
• Conducting preliminary reviews of staff requests related to protection against retaliation and drafting case findings.
• Designing and delivering training and outreach programs to increase awareness of ethical issues.
• Supporting the Ethics Office in activating and promoting the Ethics Focal Points Network.
• Providing support for the Area Staff Declaration of Interest Programme (ASDIP).
• Coordinating efforts related to sexual misconduct as required. 1
• Performing other duties as required by the Ethics Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in law, public administration, human resources management, or a related field. Additionally, candidates are required to have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in legal practices, corporate compliance, oversight services, organizational ethics, staff misconduct investigations, or employee relations. Candidates must also declare any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, political organizations, or military, which could impact their neutrality and objectivity in their duties for UNRWA.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as law, public administration, or human resources management. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of ethical issues within the organization.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in fields related to legal practices, corporate compliance, oversight services, organizational ethics, staff misconduct investigations, or employee relations. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the nuances of ethical dilemmas and effectively advising staff and management.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required, with both languages needing to be at UN Level III. French is also recognized as a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, but it is not mandatory for this role. Candidates must demonstrate their language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking as per the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a Limited Duration Contract (LDC) for a duration of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The monthly basic salary for this position is US$ 2,216.50 at band 'G'. Additional benefits include compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave pro-rated to the contract duration, family allowance (if applicable), sick leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave. The position is open to both external candidates and UNRWA internal candidates on LDC and FT contracts. Only candidates residing in Gaza and authorized to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. UNRWA will not facilitate work permits, and candidates must have a valid work permit to be considered for the position. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates from underrepresented genders to promote gender parity within the agency. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment.