Chief, Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO) (P)

Role Overview

The Chief of the Ethics and Conduct Office (ECO) leads a specialised team dedicated to embedding integrity, transparency, and accountability across the organisation's global operations. In this senior leadership role, you will shape the ethical framework that guides decision-making for management and personnel, while providing real-time counsel on conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, and whistleblower protection. Your work directly influences organisational culture, helping to build an environment where staff feel safe to speak up and act with professional courage.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of ethics-related policies, procedures, and guidelines, while advising on the ethical implications of broader institutional practices.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and staff, delivering practical, timely guidance on the interpretation of the Standards of Conduct, conflict-of-interest questions, and other ethics dilemmas.
• Oversee the Protection Against Retaliation (PaR) programme, ensuring that complaints are assessed impartially and that whistleblowers receive meaningful safeguards.
• Design and drive a global training and outreach agenda that strengthens awareness of values and conduct standards, encourages a speak-up culture, and reinforces respect in the workplace.
• Manage the annual financial and conflict-of-interest disclosure programme, adapting processes to align with best practices for senior and key personnel.
• Track, analyse, and report on institutional ethics trends and case data, using insights to inform recommendations for senior management, governing bodies, and the Audit and Oversight Advisory Committee.
• Lead and motivate the ECO team, managing day-to-day operations, resources, and work programmes while upholding confidentiality and quality standards.
• Collaborate with internal oversight, legal, ombudsman, human resources, and risk management offices, as well as external networks such as the Ethics Network of Multilateral Organisations, to stay abreast of emerging practices and foster innovation.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law, Governance, International Development, or a related field from an accredited institution with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience; alternatively, a university degree in the same fields with 12 years of experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in ethics, law, compliance, oversight, or dispute resolution, ideally gained within a public international organisation or humanitarian agency.
• Hands-on experience developing and applying ethics policies, integrity programmes, prevention strategies, and culture-change initiatives.
• Direct involvement in ethics casework, including providing advice on general ethics questions, managing conflicts of interest, handling financial disclosures, and supporting protection against retaliation.
• Strong working knowledge of administrative policies and procedures commonly used across international organisations.
• Proven ability to navigate sensitive and conflict-laden situations with the highest degree of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and independence.
• Excellent advocacy, communication, and negotiation skills, with the capacity to translate complex concepts clearly in both oral and written formats.
• Ability to carry out inquiries objectively and impartially, guided by the highest ethical principles.
• Experience leading and inspiring teams to meet strategic and operational goals, particularly under time pressure or resource constraints.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and creative problem-solving skills, along with the ability to engage effectively with high-level interlocutors.
• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required; working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is advantageous.