Integrity at SolidarMed

The correct conduct of employees is of specific relevance to SolidarMed. Unethical conduct can result in harm for vulnerable beneficiaries. It can have negative impacts on the effectiveness of our work. And result in far reaching consequences on our reputation. In addition, as a development organisation working with donations from individuals and institutional funding partners, our organisation and employees are accountable to these donors and subject to a high degree of scrutiny by the public and the media. 

For this reason, SolidarMed has defined binding ethical behaviour standards for all our employees:

• Code of Conduct
• Guidelines to protect from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH)
• Child Protection Guidelines
• Guidelines to prevent corruption and conflict of interest
• Guidelines on Gender and Social Inclusion

Based on our mission, vision and HR regulations, these standards reflect the fundamental values and principles of our organisation, to be applied irrespective of the cultural context. Each collaborator of SolidarMed is supposed to adhere to them, and to promote them. 

Our guidelines of conduct constitute a compulsory annex to the SolidarMed employment contracts. They are binding for all employees worldwide, in any contractual relationship with SolidarMed, including interns, volunteers, board members, advisory panels and consultants, at all times during their assignment with SolidarMed. Furthermore, all collaborating partners of SolidarMed must commit to follow the key principles of these guidelines.

Complaint report procedure

SolidarMed is committed to efficiently fight against individual misbehaviour or corruption, fraud and conflicts of interest. Victims and witnesses of misconduct related to activities of SolidarMed have the right and the obligation to report cases immediately. Therefore, SolidarMed has defined a complaint mechanism and several complaint channels.

Hereafter you find options to report misconduct in SolidarMed activities, e.g. violations of the code of conduct, corruption, fraud, conflicts of interest, sexual harassment, child abuse, failure to comply with project standards etc. Victims or witnesses of misconduct ("complainants") inside and outside of SolidarMed can report their complaints in three different ways:

a) Internal complaint channel

Misconduct or suspicions can internally be reported to the direct superior or directly to the following email-address: integrity@solidarmed.ch

b) External complaint channel

Safecall is a professional external provider, to which complainants can be addressed in full confidence. The experts of Safecall receive complaints in over 170 languages and transmit them to the person in charge at SolidarMed. The confidentiality and anonymity of the informer is respected. Safecall provides two contact options:

• Telephone: +44 800 915 15 71
• Online: www.safecall.co.uk/report

c) Fill out the SolidarMed online complaint form

The online complaint form is forwarded immediately after filling it in correctly to the person in charge at SolidarMed.