Ethics Advisor, Office of the Secretary-General

Company Description

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The OECD’s staff ethics framework is grounded in the Staff Regulations, Rules and Instructions Applicable to Officials of the Organisation (Title II), and is complemented by the Code of Conduct for OECD Officials. In his strive to continuously improve the Organisation’s culture of integrity, the Secretary-General of the OECD has established an Ethics Office, the mandate of which is set out in the Decision of the Secretary-General on the role and functions of the Head of Ethics, keeping the OECD at the forefront of professional ethical and integrity.

The Ethics Office supports implementation of the OECD’s ethics framework, advises staff, managers and the Secretary-General on the ethical standards of the Organisation, leads communication and training efforts to raise awareness of the OECD’s ethics framework, oversees and supports the Organisation’s Whistleblower Protection Policy, and provides comprehensive reporting on ethics related activities to the Secretary-General. The OECD is looking for an Ethics Advisor with relevant substantive background, to be part of the Ethics Office in the OECD.    The Ethics Advisor will report directly to the Head of Ethics.

Job Description

• Prepare drafts of strictly confidential advice and guidance in response to individual requests, in particular, in response to requests for approvals of external activities submitted to HRM and subsequently shared with the Head of Ethics by the Head of HRM, as well as requests for guidance on external activities from the directorates and other parts of the Organisation.
• Assist the Head of Ethics in providing advice to management and OECD staff members on ethics related issues, conflicts of interest, external activities of staff, gifts and benefits and any other relevant matters as may be requested by the Head of Ethics.
• Assist the Head of Ethics in developing effective internal written communication tools as part of an awareness and outreach campaign, to raise awareness and understanding amongst OECD staff members at all levels for applicable standards of conduct as well as the role and functions of the Head of Ethics.
• Support substantive aspects of training, awareness and outreach events amongst OECD staff members of all levels for applicable standards of conduct as well as the role and functions of the Head of Ethics.
• Support development of training materials for in-person and online ethics training courses.
• Support substantive aspects of the Ethics function’s policy development role, for instance by carrying out benchmarking studies amongst other international organisations or by preparing drafts of policies and underlying policy explanatory papers, as well as drafts of related amendments to different parts of the Staff Regulations, Rules and Instructions.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues as may be requested by the Head of Ethics.
• Perform such other tasks as many be required to support the mandate of the Head of Ethics.

Qualifications

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree in law, social sciences, human resources or another related field.

Professional Background

• At minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in drafting and oral communications skills with a background in public governance, human resources or law.
• Demonstrated prior relevant exposure to substantive aspects of the OECD’s standards of conduct and Ethics framework or similar standards in an international organisation or a multilateral development bank.
• Proven experience in providing confidential advice and guidance on ethics-related issues, conflicts of interest, external activities, gifts and benefits, and other relevant matters.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex regulations and policies.
• Experience in developing and delivering training programmes and awareness campaigns
• Familiarity with policy development processes, including conducting benchmarking studies and drafting policy d