Head of Ethics

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 this context, the OECD is looking for a Head of Ethics with responsibility for upholding and advocating the Organisation’s highest ethical standards, ensuring staff members conduct themselves with integrity and fostering an environment where ethical behaviour is encouraged, supported and protected.

The Head of Ethics will support implementation of the OECD’s ethics framework, advise staff, managers and the Secretary-General on the ethical standards of the Organisation, lead communication and training efforts to raise awareness of the OECD’s ethics framework, oversee and support the Organisation’s whistle-blower protection policy, and provide comprehensive reporting on ethics related activities to the Secretary-General. The Head of Ethics is independent, reporting directly to the Secretary-General.

Main Responsibilities

Policy and Advisory

• Advise staff, the Secretary-General, the Office of the Secretary-General and the Head of Human Resources Management and managers on the ethical standards of the Organisation, providing guidance on ethics related issues, conflicts of interest, external activities of staff, gifts and benefits received by staff and any relevant matters brought to the attention of the Head of Ethics in a confidential manner.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the Organisation’s ethics framework including policy, rules and guidance, and engage in amendments and revisions as necessary, taking into account the nature and activities of the Organisation and current ethics best practices to ensure that the framework remains sound and effective.
• As needed, liaise, collaborate and/or obtain input from the Secretary-General and Office of the Secretary-General, the Head of Human Resource Management and/or the Director of the Legal Directorate to develop sound, pertinent ethics advice.
• Maintain awareness of developments in the field of ethics, keeping her or himself at the frontier on all matters in this area, noting new approaches, recent developments and evolving best practices, proposing changes to the Organisation’s ethics framework.

Advocacy and Protection

• Develop and implement means of fostering and enhancing a culture of ethical conduct in the Organisation, acting as a key driver for integrity, accountability and transparency.
• Develop and execute a robust ethics communications strategy, highlighting and promoting the values of ethical behaviour, increasing awareness of the Organisation’s ethics framework, the role of the Head of Ethics and any related information to support the promotion of the highest ethical standards in the Organisation.
• Support the Organisation’s Policy on Protection against Retaliation for Reporting Misconduct by receiving, reviewing and assessing claims of retaliation for reporting misconduct, determining the validity of the claim, and if needed, determining the retaliation risk to the reporting person, any appropriate anti-retaliation measures and initiating an investigation.

Training and Reporting

• Lead the development and implementation of training programmes to educate and raise awareness of staff members on ethical issues and expected behaviour, such as effective learning programmes, briefings or workshops, and contributing to the induction of new staff members.
• Author and deliver to the Secretary-General a comprehensive annual report outlining in detail all ethics related activity in the Organisation for the year in review.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree in law, social sciences, criminal justice, philosophy, public policy or related field.

Professional Background

• At least ten years of relevant professional experience in ethics and compliance, particularly ethics policy development, implementation and interpretation at a progressively senior management level and preferably in an international context.
• Proven experience in development and execution of training and awareness programmes.
• Experience developing and implementing a communications strategy including use of digital communication tools and web-based media would be an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Client focus, Diplomatic sensitivity, Influencing, Negotiating, and Organisational knowledge. Please refer to the Level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

• Five-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal once for a period of three years.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 10 291 EUR plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
• Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

Selection Process

• During the selection process a video-record interview, written test, and assessment centre may be required.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD Member Countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.