Director, Ethics, D1 (based in Rome, Italy) at World Food Programme

About the job

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Ethics Office was created to assist the Executive Director in nurturing a culture of ethics and accountability. The overarching objective is to enable employees to observe and perform their functions with the highest standards of integrity, as required by the UN Charter, the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service, the WFP Code of Conduct and other issuances and practices.

 

The Director of the Ethics Office reports directly to the Executive Director and is also a member of the Oversight and Policy Committee (OPC) in an advisory capacity. The Ethics Office is an independent and formal office. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

•   Formulate, review and disseminate policies, standard-setting, training, and guidance related to all ethical issues (e.g. conflicts of interest, outside activities, gifts, honours and decorations, political engagement, financial disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, and independence) in coordination with relevant units of WFP, as appropriate, as well as the Ethics Panel of the United Nations, in order to ensure a uniform and consistent application of ethics-related issues within the United Nations system 

•   Provide guidance to management and advocate for the incorporation of ethical standards into the organizational policies, practices, and operations

•   Raise staff awareness within the Programme on ethical standards and expected behaviour in cooperation with relevant units of WFP and develop mandatory and non-mandatory ethical training programs (initial and refresher) and workshops for all staff 

•   Provide management and employees with confidential advice and guidance regarding ethical behaviour and standards 

•   Administer the Whistleblower Protection Policy to enable employees to report misconduct and cooperate with duly authorized audits, investigations and proactive integrity reviews (PIRs) without being subject to retaliation

•   Administer the Annual Conflicts of Interest and Financial Disclosure Programme (ADP), as an annual, mandatory disclosure programme to identify, mitigate and address actual, perceived and potential conflicts of interest 

•   Issue an annual report, through the Executive Director, to WFP’s Executive Board 

•   Participate regularly in the work of the Ethics Panel of the United Nations and the Ethics Network for Multilateral Organizations; Collaborate with other UN agency’s Ethics functions

•   Provide effective leadership to the unit to ensure the continued development and coaching of a cohesive and high performing team.

•   Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men

•   * PSEA activities may be added pending JIU review on the Ethics function and management decision.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education: 

•   Advanced university degree in Ethics and Compliance, or advanced university degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Business Administration or Human Resources Management, with emphasis on courses covering corporate compliance, business ethics, or corporate social responsibility/sustainability. 

 

Experience: 

•   Proven track record (at least 13 years) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of ethics and related fields, such as design of ethical standards, ethics and compliance programmes, conduct and discipline programmes, accountability and compliance frameworks, and/or financial disclosure policies 

•   Experience working in developing countries would be an asset

•   Experience in change management 

•   Strong knowledge of UN system, international organizations, or public service sector ethical policies, rules, regulations and procedures is highly desirable. 

 

Competencies: 

•   Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on highly sensitive issues with staff and managers at all levels, with particular emphasis on developing trust and demonstrating fairness

•   Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; and an ability to conduct independent research and analysis

•   Experience and demonstrated sensitivity in working with 

•   cross-cultural aspects of human relations and the ability to influence appropriately

•   Strong sense of impartiality and objectivity

•   Ability to work in a complex, decentralized organization

•   Knowledge of current industry best practices relating to corporate ethics and business conduct/practice would be an asset

•   Ability to manage, coach and motivate diverse teams and deliver effectively through others to achieve results. 

 

Language: 

•   Fluency (level C) in English language 

•   Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language)

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Director of the Ethics Office’s tenure will be for a four-year term, renewable once, without the possibility of further employment within WFP at the end of the term. 

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.