Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct provides clear guidance that all staff and representatives of SCIAF are expected to uphold.  

Employees or representatives of SCIAF commit to promote its values and principles and protect its reputation by: 

• respecting the basic rights of others by acting fairly, honestly and tactfully, and by treating people with dignity and respect, and respecting the national law and local culture, traditions, customs and practices that are in line with Catholic social teaching, moral teaching and UN conventions;
• working actively to protect children and vulnerable adults by complying with SCIAF’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures;
• maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct;
• protecting the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others;
• protecting the organisation’s assets and resources;
• reporting any matter that breaks the standards contained in this Code of Conduct. 

Maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct means they will not behave in a way that breaches the code of conduct, undermines their ability to do their job or is likely to bring SCIAF into disrepute.  

For example, staff will not: 

• engage in sexual relations with a child or a vulnerable adult or abuse or exploit a child or a vulnerable adult in any way regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not an excuse; 
• exchange money, employment, goods, assistance or services for sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour; 
• engage in any form of harassment, discrimination, physical or verbal abuse, intimidation, favouritism or exploitative sexual relations; 
• drink alcohol or use any other substances in a way that adversely affects their ability to do their job or affects the reputation of the organisation; 
• be in possession of, nor profit from the sale of, illegal goods or substances; 
• accept bribes or significant gifts (except small tokens of appreciation) from governments, beneficiaries, donors, suppliers or others, which have been offered as a result of my employment. 
• undertake business for the supply of goods or services to SCIAF with family, friends or personal contacts or use SCIAF assets for personal benefit; 
• behave in a way which threatens the security of themselves or others; 
• use the organisation’s computer or other equipment to view, download, create or distribute inappropriate material, such as pornography. 

To read the Code of Conduct in full, download a copy below.