CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE
GOVERNANCE, VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES
OF NIGERIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
1. Introduction
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) is a member of the worldwide Red Cross /
Red Crescent Movement and committed to its Fundamental Principles of
Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and
Universality. As outlined its Statutes NRCS mission is ¨to alleviate the situation of
the vulnerable people which include those affected b disaster, epidemics, armed
conflicts, and the poorest communities in both urban and rural areas amongst whom
are women, children, aged, displaced, disabled and other vulnerable people¨.
The Credibility and success of the NRCS is underpinned not only by the services
the Society offers, but how the service is offered the conduct of those who offer the
services. This Code of Conduct therefore applies to all NRCS Governance,
Volunteers and Staff. It is designed to protect the integrity, well-being and rights
of all involved in the work of the organization and to ensure an efficient operation
and compliance with the laws of Nigeria, Government Regulations and established
policies and practices as well as any other policies, procedures, rules and
regulations as may be set forth by NRCS.
It is expected for all Governance, Volunteers and Staff to sign the Code of Conduct.
This Code, whether signed or not, shall automatically form an integral part of all
NRCS contracts of employment and conditions of service for all Staff. Governance
are required to sign the Code immediately upon Election/Appointment.
Violations of this Code are subject to disciplinary measures in accordance with the
Disciplinary Measures or local staff regulations, as appropriate. In addition, the
NRCS reserves the right to recover from Staff, Volunteers or Governance all
expenses incurred by the NRCS as a result of any violation of this Code by them.
Any Disciplinary measures taken will not negate Criminal Proceedings being taken
against the violator should the case be deemed to have violated the Law.
1.1 Rules of Conduct
1.1.1 General Rules:
a. The Conduct of all NRCS personnel must be consistent with the Fundamental
Principles of the Movement.
b. Governance, Volunteers and Staff must not conduct themselves at any time in
such a manner as to bring NRCS into disrepute
c. NRCS Governance, Volunteers and Staff must respect the dignity of the people
with whom they come into contact, and in particular beneficiaries of NRCS, and
must carry out their work for the NRCS ever mindful that each of their actions in
this context can have repercussions for the fate of many human beings.
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d. Governance, Volunteers and Staff must not make statements or circumstances
that may imply sponsorship or support by the NRCS of an outside employer or of
a political, charitable, civic, religious, or similar organization when such is not the
case.
e. Governance, Volunteers and Staff must not solicit or agree to receive any money
from a client as an inducement to facilitate NRCS work or for personal reasons.
Similarly, employees may not seek or accept payment, loans, services,
entertainment or other benefits from an individual or representative of any
concern doing or seeking to do business with NRCS.
f. Fraud in any form is strictly prohibited. Fraud is defined as any action aimed at
obtaining an unauthorized benefit, such as money, goods, services or other
personal or commercial advantages, regardless of whether such advantage
benefits the Governance, Volunteer or Staff concerned, the NRCS or a third party.
1.1.2 Harassment, Abuse of Power and Sexual Exploitation
a. Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, is strictly prohibited. In
general, harassment refers to a pattern of hostile language or actions expressed
or carried out against an employee/volunteer over time. Sexual harassment
refers to any sexual or gender-related behaviour that is not desired by the
person who is the victim of it and that violates his or her dignity.
b. The purchase of sexual services and the practice of sexual exploitation are
prohibited. Sexual exploitation is understood as abuse of authority, trust or a
situation of vulnerability for sexual ends in exchange for money, work, goods or
services.
c. Entering in to a sexual relationship with a direct beneficiary of NRCS
programmes or with his or her immediate family, or using one’s position to
solicit sexual services in exchange for humanitarian services provided by the
NRCS, are prohibited.
d. Entering into a sexual relationship with a child (a girl or boy under 18 years of
age) or inciting or forcing a child to take part in activities of a sexual nature,
whether or not he or she is aware of the act committed and irrespective of
consent is prohibited. This prohibition also covers pornographic activities
(photos, videos, games, etc.) that do not involve sexual contact with the child, as
well as acquiring, storing or circulating documents of a paedophiliac nature,
irrespective of the medium used.
e. Abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children (boys or girls below 18
years) is prohibited. Governance, Volunteers and Staff must ensure that
Children’s well-being is protected at all times, and must prevent and respond to
child abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. In all actions concerning children,
the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
When photographing or filming a child or using children’s images for work-
related purposes, staff, volunteers, contractors and partners must:
▪ assess and endeavour to comply with local traditions or restrictions for
reproducing personal images before photographing or filming a child
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▪ obtain informed consent from the child and parent or guardian of the child
before photographing or filming a child. As part of this I must explain how the
photograph or film will be used
▪ ensure photographs, films, videos and DVDs present children in a dignified and
respectful manner and not in a vulnerable or submissive manner. Children
should be adequately clothed and not in poses that could be seen as sexually
suggestive
▪ ensure images are honest representations of the context and the facts
▪ ensure file labels, meta data or text descriptions do not reveal identifying
information about a child when sending images electronically or publishing
images in any form
1.1.3 Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
Employees must:
a. treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith.
b. cooperate with colleagues to promote KRCS professional interests and concerns.
c. respect confidences shared by colleagues in the course of their professional
relationships and transactions.
d. create and maintain conditions of practice that facilitate ethical and competent
professional performance by colleagues
e. act with consideration for the interest, character and reputation of any employee
that replaces or is replaced
f. extend to colleagues of other professions the same respect and cooperation that
is extended to other co-workers.
1.2 Protection of Information
a. Governance, Volunteers and Staff must exercise the utmost discretion in regard
to all matters of official business and handle all confidential and sensitive
information with the greatest care.
b. They must not disclose sensitive information of individuals we serve where there
is a risk of adverse consequences to the individuals if their identities are
revealed. All efforts must be made to protect the identities of beneficiaries,
including their names, faces and geographical locations.
I _______________________________________________________________________________ have read
and understood the NRCS Code of Conduct and promise to adhered to it.
Signature ______________________________________
Name: _________________________________________
Title: __________________________________________
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