Operational Standards

a

Partnerships and Consultancies shall be based on a mutual interests

b

Partnerships and Consultancies must be supported by signed and mutually accepted agreements, demonstrating that all parties have negotiated objectives, expectations, roles, responsibilities and contributions to the project.

c

Agreements between Partners and/or Consultants must ensure shared responsibility for achieving the stated objectives, goals and results.

b

Strong relationships include actions to address inequalities due to power imbalances. Actors should identify and seek to take concrete steps to create equitable relationships.

c

Parties should commit to deepening mutual understanding through transparent information sharing. Activities should be open and accessible to other parties, respecting individuals’ rights to privacy.

a

Parties should commit to regular and open communications for the overall health of relationships, and to ensure that all members are adequately represented and that no one speaks unilaterally on behalf of others.

d

Parties should give credit to their colleagues’ contributions, respect their intellectual property rights, and recognize appropriate ownership of products and outcomes resulting from collaborative initiatives.

e

Healthy relationships are strengthened by prompt and constructive responses to differences of opinion that may arise between parties.
Each party should proactively agree on how to manage conflicts.

f

All working agreements should specify timeframes for evaluating whether and how to continue the work.

g

To allow for a reimbursement or transfer of funds within a project, a cost estimate must be drawn up and validated between the parties.

h

In the event that, within an agreement, shortages of available resources arise (e.g. time, possibilities, remoteness, etc.), all parties must promptly reformulate a recovery plan with effective solutions.

S3.1

Mutual affairs shall be conducted with integrity and transparency. Parties shall make full, open, and accurate disclosure to relevant information concerning its goals.
Exceptions are for:

• personal matters
• legal matters
• proprietary informations
• privacy requirements

S3.2

Parties shall ensure that any complaints and feedback are handled promptly and in impartial way, always respecting the rights of the parties involved to confidentiality and disclosure.

S3.3

Everyone shall comply with all local laws and regulations. Each part conducting business outside of its State shall be aware of the foreign laws and regulations that govern its activities.

S3.4

Involved parties shall oppose and not participate in any wrongdoing or financial irregularity. Where appropriate, prompt and firm corrective measures shall be taken to avoid committing any crime.

S4.1

Satisfy the mutual needs of each party involved;

S5.1

Seek to follow sound management and operational practices appropriate to its mission, operations and governance structure;

S5.2

Provide colleagues with job descriptions or tasks that detail the organization’s expectations;

S5.3

Clearly describe and communicate compensation and benefits to each affected resource and, where applicable, make financial arrangements to honor their commitments;

S5.4

Respect the right of employees to organize in unions or associations and negotiate collective agreements;

S5.5

Educate their collaborators on this Code of Ethics and Operating Standards.

S6.1

A Consultant or Partner who has a question or concern about another’s conduct in relation to the Code of Ethics and/or Operating Standards, should discuss the matter directly with the party in question or publicly at a conference with the parties involved. If there is no satisfactory answer, the matter may be referred to a specific Internal Committee which will be responsible for conducting the appropriate investigation. Any incidental expenses must be paid by the requesting party.