LSi Code of Conduct

(Draft version 4 May 2015)

LSi shall be known for its high ethical standards and professional conduct, both with respect to its technical areas of work, modes of collaboration and partnership, and respect for learners, participants and beneficiaries involved or affected by its projects.

This Code of Conduct is intended to serve as an ethical platform and formal commitment to hold Consultants and other personnel collaborating with LSi accountable for their actions and behavior.

It is a simplified version of the Code of Conduct for LSi staff and applies to non-staff representing LSi and/or accompanying LSi on (field) missions arranged by LSi, such as consultants, researchers and students/external colleagues on field studies etc.

Non-staff representing LSi and/or accompanying LSi on missions are obliged to read, declare and fully understand the content of this document.

If you have any questions please ask your contact person in LSi for clarification.

1. Respect and dignity

I will respect all persons equally and without any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion or disability.

I will always take into consideration the difficult experiences that IDPs, refugees and other persons of concern to LSi have faced and survived, as well as the disadvantaged position in which they may find themselves in relation to those who hold power or influence over certain aspects of their lives.

I will keep myself informed about LSi’s mandate, policies, objectives and activities and about learner community concerns.

I will respect local laws, customs and habits of the local culture.

I will act in a manner that ensures that the best interests of the most vulnerable: children, including orphans and separated children, women, single parents, elderly, disabled and chronically sick and particularly vulnerable minority groups, shall be of paramount consideration.

2. Personal and professional conduct

I will uphold the integrity of LSi and my personal and professional performance will always be based on an anti-racist, non-discriminatory and gender sensitive conduct.

I undertake not to abuse the power and influence that I have by virtue of my position over the lives and well-being of IDPs, refugees, staff members and other persons. I will never request or receive any service or favor from IDPs, refugees, staff members or other persons in return for protection or assistance.

I will not engage in any exploitative relationships – sexual, emotional, financial or employment-related – with IDPs, refugees, staff members or other persons.

I will observe local laws and will not seek to take personal advantage of any privileges or immunities that have been conferred on me in the interest of LSi.

I will be patient, respectful and courteous to all persons with whom I deal including colleagues, beneficiaries, local leaders and government representatives, representatives of operational and implementing partners, donors and other NGO and UN colleagues.

I will dress in a manner appropriate to the assignment and the cultural setting.

I will act in conformity with LSi’s instructions and policies.

3. Conflict of interest

I will perform my official duties and conduct my private affairs in a manner that avoids conflict of interest, thereby preserving and enhancing public confidence in LSi.

I will respect the mandate, objectives and values of LSi and ensure that personal views, behavior and beliefs, including political and religious convictions, do not adversely affect official duties or activities performed on behalf of LSi and/or when I am accompanying LSi on field missions.

I will not receive or provide bribes, including kick-backs of any kind.

4. Financial and material resources

I will safeguard and make responsible use of the information and resources to which I have access by reason of my engagement with LSi.

I will handle LSi’s financial and material resources with the utmost care, safeguard these at all times against theft or other damage, keep and maintain them properly, and ensure that unauthorized and unethical use of LSi funds or private misuse does not occur.

I will conduct all official duties with integrity, free from any taint of dishonesty or corruption, including not engaging in any act of favoritism, nepotism or bribery. This includes not accepting from any external source (including other organizations, governments, corporations or others) without clarification or authorization, any honor, decoration, gift, remuneration, favor or economic benefit which is more than a “token gift”.

I will exercise due care in all matters of official business, and not divulge any confidential information about IDPs, refugees, persons of concern to LSi, colleagues and other work-related matters

I will protect, manage and utilize LSi human, financial and material resources efficiently and effectively, bearing in mind that these resources have been placed at LSi’s disposal for the benefit of IDPs, refugees and other persons of concern to LSi.

5. Media, information and IT

I will ensure that portrayal of individuals and their circumstances is fairly represented in terms of their capacities and vulnerabilities. All efforts must be made to explain how photos and stories will be used and to obtain permission from the individuals for the use of their photos and stories.

Although LSi has an open and positive attitude towards the media, I will refrain from making comments to the media or to journalists on behalf of LSi without prior written agreementof the Organization.

I am committed to, both while working with/for and after leaving LSi, not to reveal any confidential information I have obtained while working with/for LSi to any third party.

6. Alcohol, criminal and unethical activities

I will have no involvement in criminal and unethical activities, activities that contravene human rights, or activities that compromise the image and interest of LSi.

I will exercise care with alcohol and will refrain from/avoid using intoxicating substances, including alcohol while on duty.

I will neither support nor take part in any form of illegal, exploitative or abusive activities, including, for example prostitution, child labour, trafficking of human beings, commodities and intoxicants.

I will under no circumstances drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal intoxicants.

The only situations where personnel might be exempted of repercussions due to breaching these regulations will be in a situation where there is a life-threatening situation, and all other options have been left out/explored. Any claim to have utilized this clause will be thoroughly investigated to clarify the circumstances

7. Safety, health and welfare

I will remain aware of and comply with instructions designed to protect my health, welfare and safety. I will always consider the safety of LSi personnel in operational decisions.

I will follow the set safety and security regulations/procedures for the area of operation.

I have made myself familiar with the LSi security policy, and will conduct my work accordingly, bearing in mind that common sense always prevail, and each situation is dealt with individually.

8. Prohibition against sexual exploitation and abuse

Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse violate universally rcognized international human rights standards, are a criminal offence in many countries and are never acceptable behavior for LSi personnel. Sexual relationships between LSi personnel and beneficiaries of assistance undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LSi and are prohibited.

The term ‘sexual exploitation’ is here defined as any abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes; including profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Similarly, the term ‘sexual abuse’ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

In order to protect the most vulnerable populations in humanitarian crises, especially women and children, staff and non-staff representing or accompanying LSi on field missions must declare and accept the following:

• I will not commit any act of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual violence.
• I will not engage in any sexual activity with persons (adult or child) that benefit or look to benefit from LSi’s protection or assistance, or with any persons under the age of 18 years, regardless of the age of majority or consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not a defense.
• I will not exchange money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior. This prohibition extends to any use of sex trade workers.
• I will not produce, procure, distribute or use pornographic material in LSi’s offices or on LSi’s equipment, including reading/surfing pornographic websites or message boards or sending pornographic emails.

The above-mentioned standards are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Other types of sexually exploitative or abusive behavior may be grounds for disciplinary measures.

I am aware of the fact that any breach of this Code of Conduct may lead to disciplinary action

This Code of conduct is based on existing codes from the Norwegian Refugee Council, Sphere, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). LSi is grateful to these organizations for having established clear standards for conduct in humanitarian and development work.