Ethics Office

In the framework of the reflection on UN reform, and in order to foster a culture of integrity and high ethical standards with a view to enhancing transparency and accountability in the ILO, the Director-General decided to create the function of Ethics Officer.

The Ethics Officer’s responsibilities include:

• Ethics advice: upon request, the Ethics Officer counsels the administration and staff members on  on questions of ethics, such as conflicts of interest, outside activities and occupations, gifts, etc.
• Monitoring ethics at the ILO, including through staff ethics surveys, meetings with stakeholders, etc.
• Awareness-raising and training: Contributing to the design, promotion and implementation of training and other programmes to inform and educate staff with a view to increasing awareness of ethical issues and ensuring  that the ethical standards are clearly understood.
• Whistle-blower protection against retaliation: the Ethics Officer, pursuant to IGDS No 551, receives requests for protection from retaliation from staff members who believe that action has been taken against them because they have reported misconduct or cooperated with an investigation. This review is one step of several that could lead to possible disciplinary action against the alleged retaliator.
• Policy development: Providing guidance to ensure that ILO internal policies and practices reinforce and promote the ILO’s ethical standards.
• Research and proactive promotion of ILO values: lead and facilitate initiatives to build and foster workplace environments that uphold the ILO values and principles underlying international labour standards.
• Participate in the administration and review of the ILO financial disclosure programme in support of the work of the ILO's Treasurer and Financial Comptroller.
• Domestic workers employed by ILO staff: Receiving information regarding allegations of inappropriate treatment by staff members of domestic workers employed by them.
• Discharge the ethics function for the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin, Italy.
• Represent the ILO in international ethics fora, such as Ethics Network of Multilateral Organizations.