Ethics Office

If you, as UNOPS personnel, report alleged misconduct or cooperate in an investigation or audit in good faith, then you have the right to be protected against retaliation.

If you feel you are being retaliated against, or fear that you might be, you may seek protection against retaliation by contacting us in the Ethics Office.

There are criteria that must be met for us to determine retaliation.

First, you have cooperated in an audit or investigation OR you have reported alleged misconduct through one of the designated reporting channels:

• Workplace Conduct Team in the People & Culture Group (PCG): Discrimination, harassment, or abuse of authority
• Internal Audit and Investigations Group (IAIG): All other suspected misconduct, including sexual harassment

Second, the retaliation happened because of this reporting or cooperating in an investigation or audit. 

Third, you experienced or feared a detrimental action.

“Retaliation” means any direct or indirect detrimental action that adversely affects your employment or working conditions and that was taken because you reported potential misconduct in good faith or cooperated with an audit or investigation.

Outside activities are activities we may desire to undertake in our free time, such as other paid employment, serving on a board, publishing articles or speaking at events. Most such activities require that you receive approval from UNOPS before you start on the activity by filling out this form.

Conflicts of interest are a normal part of life. They are situations that create a tension between our personal interests and those of the Organization, and where we may put independence and impartiality at risk. 

The UN's credibility as an impartial broker in charged situations around the world is central to its success. Consequently, conflicts of interest need to be resolved in a way that is in the best interest of the Organization. It is therefore crucial that you disclose situations that might constitute a potential or actual conflict of interest so we can help you navigate the situation and possibly mitigate any situation that could put the organization or yourself at risk. 

The Ethics Office plays an advisory and preventive role in managing conflicts of interest by providing confidential guidance and fostering ethical decision-making among personnel.

If you have a potential or actual conflict of interest you wish to disclose or have questions around the topic, please fill out this form or contact the Ethics Office.  If you are new to the organization, you may need to submit a Financial and conflict of interest disclosure (FDCOI) statement within 30 days of onboarding. or you can contact us in the Ethics Office if you are not sure that you should submit one. We can then guide you further in accordance with our mandate.

However, the investigation of misconduct, including violations of conflict-of-interest policies, fall under the mandate of the Internal Audit and Investigations Group which investigates allegations as appropriate.

UNOPS personnel are prohibited from receiving gifts, awards, favours, etc. in relation to their professional duties, unless they have received authorization in advance. Some exceptions apply, and if  you are in doubt, contact us in the Ethics Office. If you received a gift, honour, lavish hospitality or something similar, please fill out this form which the Ethics Office will review.

As UNOPS personnel, we are dedicated to upholding the principles of independence and impartiality.Consequently, any personal involvement in political activities must align with, and not undermine, the independence and impartiality of our status as UNOPS personnel. This means, for instance, that we can vote and participate in local community or peaceful civic activities but that we are not allowed to run for political office or promote or criticize any government, political party, or candidate or a politically charged topic.