Duties and Responsibilities
2.1 Policy Development
Develop, review and update the University's codes of conduct, ethics policies and integrity-related frameworks in accordance with best practice and regulatory requirements.
Research and benchmark national and international standards in ethics and institutional governance to inform policy development.
Collaborate with management, legal officer and academic leadership to ensure that all ethics-related policies are coherent, enforceable and aligned with the University's strategic objectives.
Maintain an up-to-date register of all ethics and integrity policies, ensuring accessibility across the institution.
2.2 Compliance Monitoring
Design and conduct regular compliance audits, assessments and reviews across departments and faculties to evaluate adherence to internal codes of conduct and external regulatory requirements.
Monitor compliance with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) standards, national legislation and other relevant regulatory frameworks governing higher education.
Develop monitoring tools, checklists, and frameworks to systematically assess ethical risks and compliance gaps within the University.
Prepare detailed compliance reports and present findings with actionable recommendations to the quality assurance director and relevant committees.
2.3 Investigation and Reporting
Receive, evaluate and investigate reports of unethical conduct, academic dishonesty, conflicts of interest, financial impropriety and other integrity-related concerns.
Manage and maintain the University's whistle-blower protocols, ensuring that reporting mechanisms are accessible, confidential and effectively communicated to all staff and students.
Conduct fair, thorough and impartial investigations; gather evidence and interview relevant parties in accordance with established procedures.
Draft integrity reports, case summaries and recommendations for management, disciplinary committees and regulatory bodies as required.
Maintain a secure and confidential database of all ethics complaints, investigations, and outcomes in compliance with data protection and privacy requirements.
2.4 Training and Sensitisation
Design and deliver regular training programmes, workshops and seminars to educate academic and support staff, students and administrators on ethical practices, professional standards, and institutional policies.
Develop targeted sensitisation materials including brochures, e-learning modules, and policy guides to promote awareness of ethics and integrity across the University community.
Coordinate with Human Resources and academic departments to integrate ethics training into staff induction programmes and faculty development initiatives.
Evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes and revise content based on emerging institutional needs and stakeholder feedback.
2.5 Risk Management
Proactively identify areas of ethical vulnerability, reputational risk and regulatory non-compliance within the institution.
Develop and maintain an institutional ethics risk register, prioritising risks by likelihood and potential impact.
Collaborate with the Internal Audit and Legal Officer to design and implement risk mitigation strategies.
Provide periodic risk assessment reports and strategic recommendations to inform governance decisions.
Monitor the implementation of corrective action plans arising from audits, investigations, and risk assessments.
Qualifications and Experience
3.1 Educational Requirements
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Quality Assurance, Law or Ethics or Philosophy or Public Administration or Business Management or Police and Security Studies or Monitoring and Evaluation, Peace and Governance is required.
A Master's degree in a relevant discipline is an added advantage.
A relevant professional certification such as Certified Ethics Officer (CEO), Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) or equivalent is an added advantage.
3.2 Professional Experience
At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in related fields e,g,, quality assurance, compliance, auditing, legal advisory or governance roles.
Demonstrated experience in an ethics, integrity or anti-corruption function, preferably within a higher education, public sector, or regulatory environment.
Proven track record in developing and implementing institutional policies, codes of conduct, and compliance frameworks.
Experience in conducting investigations into misconduct, managing whistleblower systems, and preparing formal investigative reports is highly desirable.
Familiarity with ZIMCHE regulatory requirements, Zimbabwean legislation on higher education, and relevant national governance frameworks will be a distinct advantage.
Skills
4. ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex regulations, identify subtle ethical risks, objectively evaluate evidence, and draw sound conclusions from ambiguous or sensitive information.
Communication: Exceptional report-writing, presentation and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to articulate complex ethical issues clearly to diverse audiences and handle sensitive information with absolute discretion.
Integrity: Must demonstrate an impeccable professional track record, objective and impartial judgment, and a personal commitment to ethical conduct and accountability.
Attention to Detail: High level of precision and accuracy in auditing, documentation, investigation and the maintenance of compliance records and databases.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to engage constructively with stakeholders at all levels — from students and junior staff to senior academic and administrative leadership — to promote a culture of compliance and
institutional integrity.
Leadership: Capability to drive institutional culture change, champion ethical governance and influence
behaviour across the University through credibility, example, and persuasive engagement.
Digital Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis tools, reporting systems, and familiarity with digital compliance platforms and e-learning environments.
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