Contents

Introduction:...............................................................................................................................................3
Vision:......................................................................................................................................................3
Mission:...................................................................................................................................................3
 Scope (CoC):............................................................................................................................................3
Guiding Principles:.......................................................................................................................................4
Work Place issues....................................................................................................................................4
Conflict of interest...................................................................................................................................5
Involvement in illegal activities, or activities that might compromise LIAE’s work..................................5
Bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation or abuse...................................................................5
Sexual Exploitation, abuse and Harassment............................................................................................6
Child abuse..............................................................................................................................................7
Corruption...............................................................................................................................................8
Fraud.......................................................................................................................................................8
Obligation to report and investigate all breaches.......................................................................................9
Introduction:

Love in Action is a non-governmental organization, envisions to see life improved in the rural
(remote) and urban areas by the effort of the people themselves, with the minimum external
intervention. Mission wise, the organization is committed to bring sustainable change and
transformation among the society through concerted effort of the community and genuine
participation of all stakeholders and other third parties, including the suppliers.

The purpose of the document LIAE Code of Conduct is to provide clear guidance on the
standards of behavior required by all LIAE implementing partners, networks, alliances involved
in PIN programs.

Any unacceptable behavior breaching this Code may result in termination of the contract with
LIAE. Whilst recognizing that laws and cultures differ in our country, the Code is based on
international legal standards, universal principles of codes of conduct and basic human rights.

Vision:
LIAE aspires to see life improved in rural (remote) and urban areas by the effort of the people
themselves, with minimum external intervention.

Mission:
LIAE is committed to bring sustainable change and transformation among the society through
concerned effort of the community and genuine participation of all stakeholders. LIAE. at its
heart of activities promotes people awareness so that to enable them participate meaningfully and
particularly in development process of their locality, region and nation.

Scope (CoC):
This CoC aims to provide guidance for all LIAE employees, members of board directors and
others who signed a short- or long-term contractual agreement (consultants, suppliers,
enumerators etc.) with LIAE and to assist them in carrying out daily activities in accordance with
both letter and sprit of love in action policies and applicable lows. Adherence to these values and
guidance in this code is required of all the above-mentioned parties.
Guiding Principles:

Work Place issues

 LIAE open door management where by employers are comfortable and managers are
accessible to discuss any time employers ‘concern and topics of interest related to LIAE
and their employment. We encourage open professional dialogue and encourage every
staff member to bring problem and suggestion to the attention of management; thus,
lessons are learned and correction may be made when needed.
 LIAE is committed to a policy and practice that shall not discriminate against any
employment or job application on the bases of race, color, sex orientation, religion,
national or ethnic origin, disability and status as a veteran.
 All employees are expected to express their individual opinion and ideas in a professional
manner. Whether written or verbal, personal opinions should not be expressed in
harassing derogatory or offensive way.
 All employees are entitled to work in environment free from harassment and
intimidation, allowing each employee to reach his/her full potential.
 Any employee who believes he or she has been subjected to harassment or who believes
he or she has witnessed one or more incidents of harassment should immediately report to
his or her supervisor.
 ALL LIA workplaces shall be free from unlawful substances in order to ensure the safety
of all employee and general public. Employee are expected to report to work site
prepared to perform their signed duties. Employee reporting to the worksite impaired by
alcohol or other drugs will be subjected to disciplinary action, and up to termination.
 LIAE does not tolerate any acts threats in work place and violence committed by or
against employees. The organization prohibits employees from making threats or
engaging in violence act. Prohibited acts include, but not limited to, the following;
injuring another person, causing emotional distress, engaging in behavior that produces
reasonable fear of injury in another person, damaging property intentionally. Employees
and visitors are prohibited from bringing unauthorized firearms other weapons in to
LIAE premises.
Conflict of interest
 Employees of LIAE should always make sure that their private conduct does not
compromise their role as LIAE.
 Any employee of LIAE should not engage in active or passive corruption, bribery of
fraud.
 Employees should avoid any conflict between our personal interests and the interests of
LIAE and will immediately report any occurrence of such conflict to immediate
supervisors.
 LIAE employees should not seek to influence, for private purpose, any person or
organization by using their position in LIAE. It is prohibited to use properties, facilities,
services and financial resources of LIAE for private purposes.
 LIAE employee should not give, elicit or accept directly or indirectly any gift or other
favor for themselves or for others that may influence the exercise of our function,
performance of our duty of impair our judgment.

Involvement in illegal activities, or activities that might compromise LIAE’s work

 Taking part or supporting any illegal or criminal activities is unacceptable. Involvement
in a criminal act will Cause termination of contract with LIAE.
 Abuse or exploitation of children or adults in any way or any activities contravening
basic human rights are forbidden.
 Any other inappropriate behavior or action that might jeopardize LIAEs reputation must
be avoided.
 Direct or indirect support of terrorism or any cooperation with the sanctioned entities are
highly forbidden

Bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation or abuse.

 People have to be treated with dignity and respect and any level of engagement in any
humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior will lead to termination of contract with
LIAE.
 Any form of physical violence - unless in self-defense – is unacceptable and will lead to
immediate dismissal.
  The use of inappropriate, violent or offensive language in oral or written form towards
others is not acceptable.

Sexual Exploitation, abuse and Harassment

 Sexual exploitation and abuse by LIA’s staff constitute acts of gross misconduct and are
therefore grounds for termination of employment.
 Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the
age of majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is
not a defense.
 Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favors or
other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior by LIAE’s Staff is
prohibited. This includes exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries.
 Sexual relationship between LIAE staffs and a person benefitting from LIAE humanitarian
assistance is prohibited. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of
LIAE’s work.
 Where a LIAE’s staff develops concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse, harassment
or exploitation and child abuse by a fellow worker, whether in PIN or not, he or she must
immediately report such concerns via the established agency reporting mechanisms.
 LIAE staffs are obliged to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual
exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of their code of conduct.

 LIAE’s Managers at all levels have particular responsibilities to support and develop
systems that can maintain a sexual exploitation and abuse free environment.
Child abuse

Keeping in mind that behavior and actions taken towards children need additional sensitivity, it
is important to highlight behavior that should be observed and/or avoided when in direct contact
with children.

Accordingly, LIAE’s Staff Must follow the following principles when they engage with
children:

 Treat children with dignity and respect regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, age,
language, religion, political or other opinion, disability, or other status.
 Behave appropriately; make sure that language is moderated in their presence and
refrain from adult jokes or comments that may cause discomfort or offence.
 When working in the proximity of children be visible and, wherever possible, ensure
presence of another adult.
 When collecting data from children (during assessments, monitoring and evaluation,
etc.) reduce the risk of potential harm by using culturally appropriate ways of
communication, obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality.
 Ensure that the products (e.g., photographs, films, videos) present children in a
dignified and respectful manner, with children being adequately clothed and not in
poses that could be misleading or seen as sexually suggestive
 Physically assault or punish children is strongly prohibited.
 Do not Hire children for domestic or other labor which is inappropriate given their age
or developmental stage and which interferes with their time available for education and
recreational activities, or which puts them at risk of injury.
 Do not engage children in any form of activity that is demeaning, offensive, sexually
provocative, abusive or culturally inappropriate or insensitive.
Corruption
Corruption is an abuse of the entrusted power for the private advantage of any person. This
includes offering, giving, demanding or receiving financial or material gifts, loans, rewards,
provisions or any other advantages from/to a third person as incentive to achieve something
which is dishonest, illegal or breaching confidence within the framework of contractual relations.
This refers in particular to:

 Bribery and the acceptance of bribes, excessive gifts or favors in return for LIAE’s
support, goods or services.
 Granting and receiving advantages, including return parts of contractual payments.
 Facilitation payments
 Fraud and embezzlement (utilization of the entrusted funds for personal use)
 Agreements reducing competition

Fraud

is a theft or misuse of funds or other resources, which may or may not also involve misstatement
of financial documents or records to conceal the theft or misuse. Examples of fraud include, but
are not limited to, the following:

 Theft of funds or any other LIAE’ properties

 Falsification of costs or expenses
 Forgery or alteration of documents
 Destruction or removal of records
 Inappropriate use of project assets or funds
 Seeking or accepting cash, gifts or other benefits from third parties in exchange for
preferment of the third parties in their dealings with LIAE.
 Blackmail or extortion
 Paying of excessive prices or fees to third parties with the aim of personal gain
Obligation to report and investigate all breaches

Any known or suspected cases of unacceptable behavior which are in direct breach of these
Essential Principles and that directly involve and/or affect LIAE must be brought to LIAE’s
attention - by informing LIAE Country Program Focal Point or executive director - by making
use of other feedback reporting mechanisms that LIA has in place When this standard reporting
channel is not available or was exhausted, report should be sent to the below address:

Email: info@loveinactionethiopia.org

Phone: 251-11-6-67-57-27

I have read carefully and understood these above Principles and agree to abide by their
requirements, and on behalf of the legal entity that I represent, commit to upholding the
standards of conduct required. I understand that failure to comply these Principles may result in
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal, termination of partnership or implementation
or service agreement and, where applicable, may result in civil or criminal proceedings against
me, or the legal entity that I represent.

Name____________________

Signature:________________

Date_____________________