Universität Wien

240074 SE VM8 / VM6 - Integrity, Accountability and Transparency in Humanitarian and Development Operations (2026W)

7.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work

For a positive assessment of the course, the successful completion of all partial performances is required.
As part of the assessment, plagiarism detection software (Turnitin in Moodle) may be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for text production is only permitted if explicitly allowed or required by the course instructor (e.g., for specific assignments). To ensure good academic practice, the course instructor may require an oral reflection ('grade-relevant discussion') of the submitted work, which must be successfully completed.
If a partial performance has been obtained dishonestly, e.g., by cheating on an exam or test, plagiarizing in a written assignment, or falsifying signatures on attendance lists, the entire course will be graded as 'not assessed' and recorded accordingly.
Moodle
Mo 19.10. 13:00-16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Register/Deregister for this course

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 05.10. 13:00 - 14:30 Digital
  • Monday 09.11. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 16.11. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 30.11. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 14.12. 13:00 - 14:30 Digital
  • Monday 11.01. 13:00 - 14:30 Digital
  • Monday 18.01. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 25.01. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The seminar will examine the values, principles, and ethical standards that humanitarian and development personnel must follow when engaged in humanitarian or development work. Adherence to these values, principles, and standards is critical in developing and maintaining beneficiary confidence, in promoting a strong public image, in cultivating an effective workforce, and in nurturing accountability and transparency. At the end of this course, students will have a better understanding of the meaning of ethics in the context of humanitarian and development work; the standards of conduct applicable to humanitarian and development personnel; how to systematically approach ethical problem situations; key ethical and corruption risks pertaining to the humanitarian and development sector; how to report and deal with ethical breaches, including sexual and other interpersonal misconduct; and how to make ethical decisions and where to seek help.

The seminar will be led by Dr. Lex Takkenberg, a humanitarian and development professional with over 40 years of experience in the field, who established the UNRWA Ethics Office between 2009 and 2019 as the final part of his three-decade tenure with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. In this role, Dr. Takkenberg was principal advisor to UNRWA’s Commissioner-General responsible for nurturing a culture of ethics, integrity & accountability, thereby enhancing the trust in, and credibility of UNRWA, both internally and externally. Dr. Takkenberg is also an academic expert on the legal aspects of the Palestinian refugee question. This combination of on the ground experience and academic expertise relevant to development and humanitarian work, and his specific experience with issues of ethics, integrity, accountability and transparency in the context of humanitarian and development work provides the foundation for the seminar. Dr. Takkenberg has been teaching a similar course at Fordham University in New York.

The seminar will be taught through a mix of lectures (including several guest lectures), readings, and group assignments and discussions (including with invited guests) and will be concluded with an individual paper by each student. Literature will be made available through the University’s learning platform (Moodle). Subject to refinement once the proposal is accepted in principle, the seminar will cover the following subjects:
• Introduction to the course and to the subject
• Core values and humanitarian principles:
• Conflict of interest:
• Ethical leadership and culture:
• Accountability
• Fraud and corruption:
• Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of beneficiaries:
• Confidentiality and transparency:

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Regular attendance. Performance is assessed by means of oral and written contributions from the students as well as a written final thesis or a final project to be documented in writing.
• Regular attendance and active participation in discussions in the class: absence more than once will disqualify students from further participation.
• Written assignments related to core reading materials: 20%
• Working group presentations: 30%
• Final paper: 50%

Examination topics

Reading list

Literature:

• IASC Best Practice Guide Inter-Agency Community Based Complaints Mechanisms (CBCMs)
• Global Standard Operating Procedures on inter-agency cooperation in CBCMs
• Core Humanitarian Standard
• TI Handbook Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Operations
• The Signal Code: A Human Rights Approach to Information During Crisis
• RSC Ethical Guidelines for Good Research Practice
• Global Ethics and Integrity Benchmarks 2020
• UN peace operations SEA risk management toolkit

Useful websites and other resources:

• UN Ethics Office
• UN Office of Internal Oversight Services
• Conduct in UN Field Missions
• Reports of the Secretary-General on special measures for protection from SEA
• UN Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• ICRC Law and Policy Platform
• The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
• IASC Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• SEA video: To Serve With Pride
• Transparency International (TI)

Association in the course directory

VM8/VM6

Last modified: Fr 25.09.2026 10:47