qualityandaccountabilitynetwork.careinternationalwikis.org

Each part of CI determines its own independent policy priorities according to legislative and donor requirements, risk management and local context. There are a number of policies, however, that are common to all parts of the organisation, which we adopt as a global policy. Two of the most critical policies connected to our accountability commitments are about our conduct as an organisation as an ethical actor in line with do no harm principles:

• CARE International Policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Protection (CP)
• CARE International Policy on Fraud and Corruption

Our single global CARE Line is available for receiving reports of fraud, misappropriation, discrimination, sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, support of terrorism, and other wrongful conduct. Any CARE employee or volunteer, partner, vendor, programme participant, or other outside party, may use this service to report wrongful conduct. You will find the CARE Line link here. You may report a concern online or by phone. An operator is available for over 100 languages. Please feel comfortable and welcome to use the CARE Line anonymously if you so choose. Any reports made will be treated with confidentiality to the fullest extent practical when conducting thorough investigations.

Investigations, reporting and follow-up processes are in place across the CARE membership, and CARE is focusing on a joined up global capacity building, monitoring and reporting approach.

Below are details about and resources on these two policies.

Introduction

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Protection (CP) is a term used by the NGO community to refer to measures taken to protect vulnerable people from sexual exploitation and abuse by their own staff and associated personnel.

Sexual exploitation and abuse is an indicator of an organisation's gross failure to protect those that it is mandated to protect. It also violates universally recognized international legal norms and standards.

Although sexual exploitation and abuse is not a new phenomenon, it was brought to the forefront of public attention in the international humanitarian and development sector in 2002 following allegations of widespread sexual exploitation and abuse of refugee and internally displaced women and children by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers in West Africa.

CARE International has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. We take seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse involving CARE employees and related personnel. When reported, CARE initiates rigourous investigation of complaints that indicate a possible violation of this policy and takes appropriate disciplinary action, as warranted.

CARE's PSEA & CP Policy

At the heart of CARE's efforts to impact poverty and social justice is its engagement with marginalised communities, and vulnerable adults and children. Vulnerable adults and children are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. As NGO workers, we have access to goods and services that put us in a position of power over the community. Unfortunately, a minority of people use this imbalance of power to exploit and abuse vulnerable members of the community.

CARE International's policy defines our commitment to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA & CP) of vulnerable adults and children, involving CARE employees and related personnel.

Each CARE International Member has agreed to have a designated representative serve as focal point for PSEA & CP. The primary role of the focal points is to provide overall leadership, guidance and support for their Member and respective country offices in implementing the CI PSEA & CP policy. The PSEA & CP focal points will work together as a network to enhance their capacity to fulfill the CI PSEA & CP policy, with the aim of protecting programme participants from sexual exploitations and abuse and protecting children.

Find the list of focal points here:

ci_psea-cp_member_focal_points_29_august_2018.pdf

Read the Policy itself here:

• In Arabic

ci_policy_on_psea_arabic_jun2018.doc

• In English

ci_policy_on_psea_english_jun2018.docx

• In French

ci_policy_on_psea_francais_jun2018.docx

• In Portuguese

ci_policy_on_psea_portuguese_jun2018.docx

• In Spanish

ci_policy_on_psea_spanish_jun2018.docx

Frequently Asked Questions

• In Arabic

cares_psea-cp_policy_faqs_ar.docx

• In English

cares_psea-cp_policy_faqs_eng.docx

• In French

cares_psea-cp_policy_faqs_fren.docx

• In Spanish

cares_faq_proteccion_de_la_infancia_-_es.docx

For any questions on the PSEA/CP policy, please contact Ros Macvean on macvean@careinternational.org

The reviewed and updated CI Gender Equality Policy was approved by the National Directors in June 2018. The Policy is available in English below. French, Spanish and Arabic versions will follow.

The updated Policy reflects external changes, particularly in relation to the recognition that gender is non-binary; and internal changes, including the changes to terms used for various types of CARE membership, the adoption of the CARE 2020 Programme Strategy and alignment with more recent standards laid out in the gender equality and women’s voice approach and life free from violence strategy. This review also demonstrates the continued determination by CARE to ensure that gender equality is integrated organisationally and programmatically.

The policy comes with two annexes, also below:

• Annex 1: Background, rationale and definitions which provides a short background to the history of the Policy, a rationale for the Policy and definitions of terms used in the Policy.
• Annex 2: Reporting and Accountability which provides initial guidance on reporting against the Policy. Reporting will be required every two years, all members, affiliates and candidates will be required to report and lead members will take responsibility for reporting on Country Offices they manage.

Both annexes may be updated as definitions and meanings evolve and as we develop our reporting mechanisms

If you have any questions regarding the Policy, please discuss them within your teams first, if you require further guidance or feel that you have learned something that may be relevant to others, please contact Allison Burden, Head of Gender Equality at burden@careinternational.org.

Final CI Gender Equality Policy 2018

final_ci_gender_equality_policy_2018.docx

Spanish Version - Política de Igualdad de Género de CARE Internacional

poltica_de_igualdad_de_gnero_de_care_internacional.docx

Arabic Version

سياسة المساواة في النوع الاجتماعي لمؤسسة CARE Internationalيونيو/ حزيران 2018

final_ci_gender_equality_policy_2018_ar_clean.doc

French Version - Politique sur l'égalité de genre de CARE International Juin 2018

politique_sur_lgalit_de_genre_care_juin_2o18.docx

Annex 1 - Background rationale definitions

annex_1_-_background_rationale_definitions_final.docx

Annex 1 - Spanish Version

anexo_1_-_antecedentes_propsito_definiciones_-_espanol.docx

Annex 1 - Arabic Version

annex_1_-_background_rationale_definitions_ar._clean.doc

Annex 1 - French version

annexe_1-contexte_objectif_et_dfinitions.docx

Annex 2 - Accountability and Reporting

annex_2_-_accountability_and_reporting_final.docx

Annex 2 - Spanish Version

anexo_2-rendicion_de_cuentas_y_reporte-igualdad_de_genero.docx

Annex 2 - Arabic Version

annex_2_-_accountability_and_reporting_clean_ar.doc

Annex 2 - French Version

annexe_2-politique_egalite_des_genres-care.docx

This policy reflects the fundamentals and core concept that all CARE International Members agree to abide by regarding prevention and response to fraud and corruption.

CI recognises that fraud and corruption is a prevalent issue, and has harmful effects on employees, the organisation and society, and is a threat to our vision.

Fraud and corruption awareness, prevention, reporting and response are critical parts of the accountability and compliance culture at CI and are of great importance to our impact groups, employees, partners, donors, counterparts and other CI stakeholders. Our internal and external stakeholders have a right to expect that we conduct our activities to the highest ethical standards.

This policy sets our the minimum standards and procedures that all CI is obliged to follow. It addresses the awareness, prevention, identification, reporting, investigation and close-out of fraud and corruption at CI.

Reports or concerns about fraud and corruption can be made to appropriate senior management or to our global CARE Line.

Read the communique on the policy from the Deputy Secretary General here:

dsg_communique_for_ci_fraud_corruption_policy_feb2018.docx

Read the Policy itself here:

• In English

ci_policy_on_fraud_and_corruption_english_jan2018.docx

Arabic, French, Portuguese and Spanish translations coming soon.

CARE uses the photos and stories of our beneficiaries [Subjects] in our marketing, fundraising and communications materials, on our website and social media channels, in direct mail appeals and through other channels.

In addition, we may provide photos, videos and stories to corporate partners or institutional donors for their communications about CARE. On occasion, CARE’s communications assets have been used by corporate partners as a means of promoting their relationship with CARE.

While the level of business risk may differ between use by CARE and commercial use, the legal and ethical issues around ensuring that Subjects are fully informed as to the planned purpose of materials that depict their likeness, and agree [consent] to these uses, are essentially the same.

This policy applies to all persons working for the CARE International confederation. This includes all CARE staff and consultants who are contracted or deployed by a CARE International office, and contractors representing CARE.

CI Stories and Images Consent Policy

ci_stories_and_images_consent_policy_july2018.doc.docx

Consent form Adult (English)

consent_form_adult_english_july2018.docx

Consent Form Minor (English)

consent_form_minor_english_july2018.docx

The CARE International (CI) Code is a core guiding document that defines who CARE is, what binds us and how different parts of CI work together. The Code has been changed several times since the founding of CARE International. Its’ most recent revision was in June 2018 with the aim of updating it to reflect the aspirations of our 2020 vision. The Code is now a more accessible document that can be used to orient newcomers and be shared transparently with partners and allies. It is also designed to enable greater agility, recognising the pace of change that characterises the global landscape and nature of CARE’s work.

Sections I and II of the attached document were approved by the CI Council in June 2018. Sections III and IV are under development. Until such a time that any given section is revised and approved, the position is that the relevant existing section of the current CI Code still stands, except where new policies/protocols have been endorsed by the National Directors Committee but have not yet been incorporated into relevant sections.

CI Code July 2018

ci_code_13_july_2018.docx

Overview on CI Code Revisions

ci_code_revision_overview_august_2018.pptx

Frequently Asked Questions on the CARE International Code (Arabic)

faqs_on_the_code_aug2018_arabic.doc

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CARE International Code (English)

faqs_on_the_code_aug2018_english.docx

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CARE International Code (French)

faqs_on_the_code_aug2018_french.docx

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CARE International (Spanish)

faqs_on_the_code_aug2018_spanish.docx