Senior Ethics Officer

About the role

The United Nations Ethics Office is seeking a Senior Ethics Officer to lead its Protection against Retaliation and Outreach Unit. This senior position reports directly to the Director of the Ethics Office and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding staff integrity and promoting ethical standards across the UN Secretariat.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Protection against Retaliation (PaR) and Outreach Unit, overseeing all unit activities.
• Conduct preliminary reviews of PaR requests, draft prima facie findings, and evaluate investigation reports to determine if retaliation allegations are substantiated.
• Formulate management recommendations and propose appropriate retaliation‑prevention actions for Director approval.
• Collaborate with the Administrative Law Division, Office of Human Resources, Office of Legal Affairs, and other stakeholders to interpret and update the Ethics Office’s legislative framework.
• Develop and present the Office’s strategy for preventing and protecting staff against retaliation.
• Prepare ad‑hoc reports, position notes, and presentations on retaliation protection and accountability.
• Assist the Director in providing functional leadership to the Ethics Panel of the United Nations (EPUN) and represent the Office in relevant forums.
• Contribute to policy coherence, standard‑setting, and ethics training initiatives in coordination with HR and other UN entities.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in ethics, compliance, or investigations within an international or public‑sector environment.
• Deep knowledge of United Nations ethics policies, protection‑against‑retaliation procedures, and related governance frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead a multidisciplinary team and manage complex, sensitive cases.
• Strong analytical and report‑writing skills, with the capacity to develop strategic recommendations.
• Excellent collaboration skills to work with legal, HR, and oversight offices.

Required skills