Ethics Officer

In support of the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has embarked on the implementation of a five-year Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026.

UNDP focuses on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions. Proposed downstream interventions will seek to provide platforms for citizen engagement in democratic processes and facilitate access to skills, knowledge and new technologies for increased income generation.

In so doing, UNDP Zimbabwe renders its support through the following three programmatic areas:

1. Democratic Governance
2. Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods
3. Climate Change and Resilience Building

The Zimbabwe Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) was established in response to requirements and recommendations of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria where GF processes at country level should be led by multi-stakeholder structures. As such, the CCM is the primary partner of the GF at country level and the highest decision-making authority on GF processes at country level from grant application through to grant closure. Membership of the Zimbabwe CCM is drawn from a variety of stakeholder groups among them Government, Civil Society Organisations, Private sector, Faith Based Organisations, people living with and affected by the three diseases (HIV, TB and Malaria), bilateral and multilateral development partners.

The Zimbabwe CCM plays several key roles, including creating funding requests, nominating Principal Recipients, and overseeing grant implementation. In carrying out their work, CCM members follow the highest standards of ethics and integrity since ethical and responsible decision-making by CCMs is key for the success of Global Fund programs in countries. Therefore, CCM members need to apply the highest standards of conduct in their work to prevent, detect, and respond to conflicts of interest, unethical conduct and prohibited practices, as ethics and good governance contribute to the country’s ability to deliver on the
global mission to eradicate TB, HIV and Malaria. Evidence and experience illustrate that improved ethical conduct and conflict of interest management lead to greater trust and improvements in CCM functioning, and contribute towards more robust funding requests, improved grant oversight and ultimately better programmatic performance and health impact.

The CCM Ethics Associate, reports to both the CCM Executive Secretary and the CCM leadership. The CCM Ethics Associate works with the existing CCM Management, Ethics and Human Resources committee. The role of the CCM Ethics Associate is to support the Operations function of the CCM which includes ensuring ethical leadership and conduct and to support the CCM in its goal to coordinate national disease programs at the country level, in support of ending the epidemics and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3; to contribute to the strategic functioning of a CCM by promoting ethical conduct and decision-making in all CCM activities; to lead the ongoing enforcement of the Code of Ethical Conduct (focusing on conflict of interest management, ethical decision-making and behaviours) to support the Global Fund’s ethical values; andto support the CCM in its shared responsibility for preventing and responding to
sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and related abuse of power in the context of Global Fund programs.

The specific areas of responsibilities for the CCM Ethics Associate position are:

1.1 Support Values and Principles driven actions and behaviours;
- Monitoring CCM activities and deliberations to ensure the respect of the Values and Principles included in the CCM Code of Conduct.
- Ensuring ethics considerations are embedded in decision-making processes.
- Providing advice, ongoing guidance and support to all CCM members, CCM Leadership, Main CCM Committee and CCM Secretariat.
- Ensuring all members are trained and aware of their role and responsibilities with training sessions and regular communications.
- Tracking the completion of the CCM Code of Conduct e-learning modules by all CCM members.
- Acting as custodian and mediator of ethical and governance matters to protect the integrity of the CCM, and resolving issues as they arise.

1.2 Ensure Conflict of Interest (CoI) management.
- Ensuring all members have updated CoI Declarations on record.
- Pre-screening meetings agendas against CoI declarations; identifying perceived, potential or actual CoI and informing the CCM Chair.
- Supporting the CCM Chair with managing and mitigating identified CoI before, during and after meetings.
- Ensuring the appropriate documentation including CoI declarations, meeting minutes and the management of these documents.

1.3 Ensure adherence to Policies and Procedures.
- Ensuring the adoption and implementation of the Code of Conduct by the CCM as a body, by all CCM members and for new members going forward and documenting the adoption.
- Ensuring existing governance documents are periodically reviewed and revised as needed and endorsed by the CCM (by-laws, CoI procedures and declaration forms) and that they reflect the CCM Code of Conduct.

1.4 Ensure accountability in case of alleged or reported breach to code of conduct.
- Ensuring CCM Code of Conduct breaches are appropriately and timely reported, addressed and documented.
- Promoting and supporting compliance with the Whistle-blowing Policy (Duty to Speak Out);
- Supporting the response to potential ethical misconduct, including advising on investigations.
- Initiating or supporting actions taken to prevent, manage and sanction CCM Code of Conduct breaches.

1.5 Ensure adherence to Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policy.
- Supporting the CCM in its shared responsibility for preventing and responding to SEAH, child protection, and related abuse of power in the context of Global Fund programs.
- Supporting fund recipients in the execution of their PSEAH obligations and overseeing their ongoing adherence to the PSEAH requirements and expectations in the Code of Conduct for Recipients.
- Developing and managing an in-country awareness campaign related to PSEAH, with the support of the Global Fund Ethics Office.
- Supporting the integration of PSEAH interventions during Country Dialogue and Grant Making, where appropriate.
- Serving as the in-country point of contact for the Global Fund on matters of PSEAH and coordinating the PSEAH Focal Points at the Principal Recipient level.
- Acting as a “safe space” for in-person reporting of SEAH allegations and ensuring that the same exists across implementers.
- Where available, joining and participating actively in any in-country PSEA networks.
- Mapping and maintaining up-to-date referral pathways for victim/survivor support referrals.
- Liaising on victim/survivor support needs with the Global Fund’s Victim Advocate and In-Country Support Coordinator, where appropriate.
- Providing expertise on PSEAH to the CCM, including support and guidance to the CCM leadership.
- Organizing an annual PSEAH training for CCM members, with the support of the in country PSEA network and the Global Fund