Chief Ethics Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

 

 

 

a.    Organizational Setting

 

The post is located in the WIPO Ethics Office, Sector of the Director General. 

 

Purpose Statement

 

The Chief Ethics Officer is accountable for providing leadership on all matters relating to ethics at WIPO. The role of the Chief Ethics Officer, who shall have the independence required for the effective discharge of his/her responsibilities, is to ensure that staff members and other personnel observe – and perform their functions with – the highest standards of integrity through proactively fostering a culture of ethics, transparency and accountability. The incumbent serves as the Organization's reference point for ethics and related issues, such as improprieties, complaints of retaliation, financial disclosure, conflicts of interest, gifts, honors and other favors, and provides expert advice to staff and the Administration on corporate governance issues related to the WIPO Code of Ethics.

 

b.    Reporting Lines

 

The Chief Ethics Officer enjoys functional and operational independence in the performance of his/her functions.  The incumbent reports directly and administratively to the Director General.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Advise staff and other members of personnel, managers and the Director General, on the ethical standards of the Organization, providing guidance on ethics-related issues, conflicts of interest and mutuality any relevant matters.

 

b.   Lead, coordinate and oversee the design, development and implementation of an effective WIPO ethics program to enhance integrity, compliance and the ethical conduct of the Organization’s business both internally and externally.

 

c.          Undertake the responsibilities assigned to the office under the policy to protect against retaliation for reporting misconduct and for cooperating with duly authorized audits or investigations.  Administer the Organization’s financial disclosure and declaration of interests policy and related programs.

 

d.   Enhance appropriate compliance and ethical business conduct across the Organization and with external partners (including clients, vendors and other external entities) through the provision of authoritative advice, leadership and oversight, ensuring the correct interpretation of ethics and compliance strategies, programs and policies.

 

e.   Establish/develop/maintain partnerships with key WIPO units (including the Human Resources Management Department, the Office of the Ombudsperson and the Office of the Legal Counsel) and managers and with ethics professionals in other organizations to promote and foster WIPO’s ethical standards within the Organization and with its external partners (including clients, vendors and other external entities).  This includes liaising with the Internal Oversight Division on governance / internal control issues and risks.

 

f.    Carry out research, provide policy advice and develop practical solutions that help to mitigate ethical risks in the Organization.

 

g.   Develop standards, education, outreach and training programs on ethics, including information sessions, workshops, e-learning training and briefings, in order to increase awareness and enhance ethical standards in collaboration with competent departments and, as appropriate, with UN common system counterparts, and ensure delivery.

 

h.   Direct the activities and manage the resources of the Ethics Office.  Represent WIPO at the relevant inter-agency, international and regional meetings.

 

i.    Submit to the Independent Advisory Oversight Committee for review and advice the proposed workplan of the Ethics Office, updates on the implementation of such workplan, and any proposed ethics policies, as well as seek the Committee’s advice in cases of significant impairment to his/her independence and objectivity, including conflicts of interest.

 

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, international relations, public administration, science and technology, or other relevant field.  A first-level university degree in any of the relevant fields as listed above with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience, including in the field of corporate or business ethics and related fields, preferably in the international arena. 

 

Experience in the development and implementation of standards, policies, compliance frameworks and programs.

 

Experience (Desirable)

Experience working with ethics and compliance in an international organization and/or an intergovernmental organization.

 

Experience in dealing with ethical risks related to data-driven technology.

 

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

 

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

 

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Discretion, integrity, impartiality and confidentiality.

 

Strong verbal and written communication skills.  

 

Ability to draft reports and briefing papers and to present complex information in a clear, effective and impactful manner, drawing on different communication methods to influence colleagues and senior management.

 

Knowledge of current industry best practices relating to corporate ethics, integrity and business conduct/practice.

 

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

Ability to facilitate discussions and bring a consensus view.

 

Supervisory skills to supervise administrative assistance.

 

Excellent facilitation and negotiation skills.

 

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

 

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Interest in the risks and opportunities posed by data-driven technology.

 

 

 

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.

3.    Demonstrating integrity.

4.    Valuing diversity.

5.    Producing results.

6.    Showing service orientation.

7.    Seeing the big picture.

8.    Seeking change and innovation.

9.    Developing yourself and others.

 

 

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the October 2023 rate of 83.3%

 

P5
Annual salary	$90,664
Post adjustment	$75,523
Total Salary	$166,187
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

Term limit

 

The Chief Ethics Officer has a non-renewable fixed term of office of seven years. On completion of the fixed term of office the incumbent shall not be eligible for any further employment in WIPO.

 

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

 

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

 

Additional background checks may be required.