Regional Ethics and Integrity Officer (P) (Multiple Duty Stations)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 16576
Position Title: Regional Ethics and Integrity Officer
Duty Station City: Bangkok, Dakar, Nairobi, and Panama
Duty Station Country: Thailand, Senegal, Kenya, and Panama
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 1 October 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

  1. Internal candidates
  2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Context

IOM's institutional strategy prioritizes integrity, transparency, and accountability as key cross-cutting concerns. As part of the Office of Ethics and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (OEP), the Ethics and Conduct Unit (ECO) plays a lead role in strengthening IOM's culture of integrity through policy and advisory work, training, and support to the Organization and all IOM personnel on ethical issues and IOM's Standards of Conduct.

ECO's core responsibilities include provision of impartial policy guidance and advice on ethics concerns; global training and outreach across all IOM offices; initiatives to promote a speak-up culture and whistleblower protections; and an annual disclosure program.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of ECO, the Ethics and Integrity Officer will assist in specified ongoing tasks. In particular, the incumbent will hold the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities

  1. Serve as the principal focal point on ethics matters for the Regional Office and Country Offices in one or more Regions, ensuring effective communication and coordination with HQ and other offices.
  2. Undertake preliminary assessments of retaliation complaints based on relevant legal standards and evidence.
  3. Monitor international administrative law and policy developments relating to ethics and contribute to the review, revision, and drafting of IOM’s ethics-related policies, instructions, and guidelines.
  4. Advise management and staff on ethics matters, including application of the Standards of Conduct, conflicts of interest, reporting channels and whistleblower protections.
  5. Identify key ethics trends, risks and concerns in the assigned Region(s) and adapt guidance and outreach initiatives and materials accordingly.
  6. Lead the design and implementation of an ethics capacity-building strategy for the assigned Region(s).
  7. Develop and conduct ethics trainings throughout the Region(s). In addition to direct training of staff, provide training of trainers and supervise and guide ethics facilitators in the Region(s) to cascade trainings more broadly.
  8. Promote the further development and appropriate implementation of conflict-of-interest and annual disclosure requirements for IOM personnel, including senior management and other staff with resource management or procurement responsibilities.
  9. Contribute to ECO’s knowledge management tools and knowledge sharing initiatives, including case tracking systems and databases and the preparation of periodic reports and trend analyses to show the scope, relevance and impact of ECO's work.
  10. Support additional initiatives of ECO and OEP, including joint strategy, learning and outreach campaigns in coordination with Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH).
  11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

  • Master’s degree in Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
  • University degree in the above fields with at least seven years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

  • Experience in the field of Ethics, Legal, Investigations, Compliance/Oversight or Dispute Resolution, preferably with a public international organization;
  • Experience in reviewing allegations of misconduct, such as retaliation;
  • Experience with policy analysis, review, revision, and drafting;
  • Experience with ethics advice, decision-making and case work, including on potential misconduct, conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and protection against retaliation.
  • Experience in delivering trainings, outreach, and capacity building;
  • Experience handling a heavy and diverse workload; and,
  • Field experience, particularly within IOM, is a distinct advantage.

Skills

  • Evidence of formal training or specialization in one of the following legal domains (whether as part of the university degree, or in addition thereto): international administrative law, employment law, litigation;
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably international administrative law;
  • Highest level of integrity, discretion, impartiality, and professionalism;
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills on complex and sensitive matters;
  • Ability to effectively handle and resolve ethical issues at organizational and individual levels;
  • Ability to sustain integrity and consistency while working independently;
  • Ability to carry out all inquiries objectively and neutrally;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, in both large and small settings;
  • Ability to liaise with a wide range of counterparts, including high-level interlocutors; and,
  • Resourcefulness and efficiency in managing commitments, handling multiple priorities, meeting deadlines and achieving results.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage. The following language proficiency will also be required for each region:

  • Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand: Fluency in French and/or Spanish (oral and written) is required.
  • Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal: Fluency in French (oral and written) is required.
  • Regional Office in Panama city, Panama: Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) is required.
  • Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya: Fluency in French and/or Spanish (oral and written) is required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these values:

  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
  • Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
  • Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
  • Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

  • Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
  • Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies - behavioural indicators – Level 2

  • Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
  • Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
  • Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
  • Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
  • Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

How to apply

To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM Career Gateways by 01 October 2025.