Director of Ethics and Business Conduct

Champion Ethics. Drive Change.

Join a global movement to transform food, land, and water systems for a better future. Work alongside passionate experts from IWMI, WorldFish, and IRRI to create a food-secure world in the face of climate challenges.

We are seeking a Director of Ethics and Business Conduct to establish and lead a pioneering ethics function for the CGIAR Tripartite Partnership. In this role, you will shape ethical governance, drive compliance, and embed integrity at the core of decision-making across three dynamic international organizations.

Be part of something bigger. Contribute to a mission that matters.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Framework Development,

• Align, develop and implement a comprehensive ethics and business conduct framework, aligned with global best practices and regulatory standards.
• Lead the function and ensure periodic review of the Centers’ codes of ethics and business conduct, ensuring relevance and adherence to evolving laws, regulations, and industry standards in partnership with other departments.
• Provide strategic advice to senior management and the Board of Governors on ethical risks and governance matters, ensuring integration of ethical considerations into decision-making.
• Serve as a key advisor to the senior leadership and the Boards of the Tripartite Centers on ethical governance, ensuring that ethical considerations are embedded in strategic planning and operations.

Policy Management and Compliance,

• Review, feedback into and oversee implementation of policies and procedures related to ethical business conduct, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations (e.g., anti-corruption, anti-bribery).
• Ensure compliance with the organization’s ethical standards meeting the needs of audits while continuously identifying potential risks and ensure policy effectiveness.

Incident Management and Reporting,

• Manage and oversee management of confidential reporting mechanisms (e.g., ethics hotline) for employees to report ethical concerns or violations without fear of retaliation.
• Conduct and oversee investigations of ethical breaches, ensuring that all cases are handled fairly, promptly, and confidentially.
• Prepare reports and assessments on ethical issues for senior leadership, relevant departments and the Board, offering recommendations for action and improvement.

Training and Awareness,

• Develop and lead ethics training programs for the Tripartite Centers to raise awareness and foster a culture of integrity at all levels.
• Regularly update training materials to address new ethical challenges and provide practical guidance for employees on navigating ethical dilemmas.
• Engage with employees through workshops, town halls, and communications to build understanding of the importance of ethical conduct.

Safeguarding,

• Ensure that safeguarding policies and practices are integrated into the ethics framework, prioritizing the protection of vulnerable groups and individuals affected by the organization’s work.
• Partner for safeguarding training and awareness programs, ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibilities to prevent harm, abuse, or exploitation.
• Collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders to handle incidents and ensure that safeguarding protocols are adhered to in investigations and incident reporting.
• Monitor and review safeguarding practices, identifying potential risks and recommending improvements to ensure the highest levels of protection across the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory,

• Lead as the primary ethics advisor for all employees and management, providing guidance on ethical dilemmas, conflicts of interest, and business conduct issues.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Human Resources, Legal, Internal Audit) to ensure alignment and consistent application of ethical standards across the organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and industry groups (audit teams, CGIAR and other international organizations) to stay informed of developments in ethics and compliance standards.

Continuous Improvement and Risk Mitigation,

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of the ethics and business conduct function, identifying areas for improvement based on feedback, industry trends, and best practices.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives, updating policies, practices, and training to strengthen the organization’s ethical culture.
• Lead risk mitigation efforts by proactively identifying potential ethical risks and developing strategies to address them.

Data Privacy and Confidentiality,

• Ensure that all data related to ethical issues and cases is managed with the highest level of confidentiality and in compliance with data protection laws.
• Establish protocols for the secure handling of sensitive information, particularly in relation to ethics reporting and investigations.

Crisis and Conflict Resolution,

• Lead crisis management efforts related to significant ethical breaches, guiding the organization through complex and high-risk situations.
• Act as a mediator in conflicts of interest or ethical disputes, working towards resolutions that uphold the organization's ethical standards.

Benchmarking and Industry Engagement,

• Stay current with global trends, regulations, and best practices in ethics and business conduct, ensuring that the Institutes remains at the forefront of ethical leadership.
• Benchmark the Centers’ ethics program against industry standards, adjusting strategies and programs to maintain leadership in ethical business practices.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• Advanced degree in Law, Business Administration, Ethics, Compliance, Human Resources, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Ethics management, compliance, corporate governance or risk management is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in ethics, compliance, corporate governance, or risk management in international organization.
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and managing ethics and business conduct programs, preferably within multinational or complex organizations.
• Extensive experience in managing ethical investigations, handling sensitive cases, and ensuring confidentiality and integrity in the resolution process.
• Demonstrated experience of leading a function/unit.

Desirable

• Professional certifications in ethics, compliance, or governance are highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of international ethics standards, corporate governance principles, anti-corruption laws and compliance with best practices.
• Familiarity with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) and their implications for handling sensitive ethics-related data.
• Expertise in designing and delivering ethics training programs, with a focus on practical, engaging approaches that drive ethical behavior across the organization.
• Proven ability to build and lead diverse, high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Expertise in aligning organizational strategy with stakeholder priorities, driving change management, and ensuring fairness and transparency in decision-making.
• Strong skills in talent development, delegation, and employee engagement to enhance team performance.
• Demonstrated expertise in handling complex ethical dilemmas with sound judgment and fairness.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership and clearly convey ethical issues.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate ethical and operational risks within an organization.
• Ability to work in multicultural environments and manage ethical challenges with sensitivity and respect.
• Strong ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and deliver results effectively.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally to various Tripartite and partner offices as required.

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of renewal.

IWMI is leading this recruitment on behalf of the CGIAR Tripartite. The successful candidate may potentially be based in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, or the Philippines.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on May 04, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.