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Our Values: Ethics, Accountability & our Responsibilities as a Global Civil Servant


Do you know the standards to which we are held when working for UNDP? 

 

This page presents UNDP values as they apply to our daily work, the ethical standards expected of us, 

and the principles of accountability that guide us.



 

Our Values

 

UNDP holds a set of six corporate values that defines behaviour expected of all UNDP personnel, regardless of function or level. They are:​

 

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     · Accountability

     · Integrity

     · Transparency

     · Mutual respect

     · Professionalism

     · Results orientation

 

 

The purpose of applying these values is to create a code of behaviour that builds a unified culture and supports the vision and mission of UNDP.

 


 


Our Ethics

UNDP is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards which must guide all of our actions and decisions. The corporate values of Integrity, Transparency, Accountability, Mutual Respect and Professionalism are all founded in ethics, which necessarily includes ethical business decision-making and ethical behavior in the workplace, the field and in our personal life. For newcomers to UNDP, it is critical to embrace the culture of ethics that permeates our organization and underpins all that we do. As a humanitarian organization, we take pride in the work we do and the results we accomplish, but it is crucial that all of this work is performed and all of these results are achieved with the highest degree of principled behavior and actions. Unethical behavior is unacceptable in any situation.   

 

What are “ethics” and what do you need to do to be “ethical”? The UNDP  Ethics Office has prepared a Welcome to New Staff Members that provides some tips and guidance for those beginning their journey at UNDP.

 


 

  

Our Accountability

 

Our Accountability Framework provides the basis for implementing accountability policies, processes and instruments at UNDP. It is guided by six core principles of accountability:

1. Mutual accountability and clarity of organizational responsibility

2. Alignment with corporate goals and accountability

3. Formal and consistent delegation of authority

4. Risk and cost-benefit considerations in decision-making

5. Reliable and verifiable performance monitoring and reporting

6. Highest standards of personal integrity (self-attestation and ethical conduct)

 

The Accountability Framework itself is based on ten interlinked elements of stakeholder and managerial accountability, as shown in the diagram below:

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Our Commitment to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
 
The 20-minute film “To Serve with Pride: Zero Tolerance for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by our own staff” was made to raise awareness among UN and related personnel about the impact of acts of sexual exploitation and abuse on individuals and communities. It provides clear information about the obligations of all people serving the UN and related organizations as they are stated in the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13).
 
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"To Serve with Pride" is available through the PSEA website, where it can be viewed in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian.
 
 
 
 
The PSEA website also contains information for staff members of the UN, NGOs and other international organizations on their responsibilities with regards to PSEA.On the site you can find catered information with regards to specific role and responsibilities as a staff member, focal point or senior manager.
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The PSEA website is available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

 
 



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