Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

The membership of CID adopted its new Code of Conduct in October 2014. 

The CID Code of conduct is a voluntary, self-regulatory sector code of good practice that aims to improve international development outcomes and increase stakeholder trust by enhancing the transparency and accountability of signatory organisations.

The Code sets out standards in three areas of accountability – Programming Principles, Public engagement and Organisation. Each of these is divided in sections, with principals and obligations.

Code of Conduct Signatories

All current CID members are working to become signatories to thee CID Code of Conduct before the end of 2018.  The current Code of Conduct signatories are:

 

ADRA New Zealand

Banzaid

cbm New Zealand

Child Fund New Zealand

Circuit International

Fairtrade Australia New Zealand

Family Planning

ORA New Zealand

Oxfam New Zealand

RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand)

SurfAid International

Tearfund

The United Nations Association of New Zealand

UnionAID

Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA)

World Vision

Code of Conduct Complaints 

The Code of Conduct offers an independent mechanism to address concerns relating to the conduct of CID members. A complaint can be made against Code of Conduct signatory organisations that it is believed to have breached the Code of Conduct.  A complaint may be made by a member of the public, other signatory organisations to the Code or any other body.  The Code of Conduct Committee is responsible for investigating complaint.

The Code of Conduct complaints process is governed by the following principles:

 

Awareness and accessibility for stakeholders

CID will:

  • make points of access to the complaints process prominent on the CID website and publicise it in material for public information (e.g. the Annual report, brochures)
  • make every reasonable effort to ensure that translation services are available for those of non-English speaking backgrounds who wish to lodge a complaint
  • ensure that the complaints process is conducted with a minimum of formality and technicality.

Independence of the complaints process

  • The complaints process will be conducted independently of the CID Board and signatory organisations.
  • The CCC members will advise the CCC Chair at the earliest practical opportunity of any conflict of interest arising in the course of their consideration of any complaint. If the potential conflict involves the Chair, she or he will advise the members of the CCC and, if necessary, the Deputy Chair will oversee the handling of the particular complaint.

Fairness

  • The complaints process will be fair and have regard to the principles of natural justice.
  • At any time during the complaints process, the Chair may consult people with particular skill or expertise to provide advice.
  • The CID Board will appoint an Appeals Officer (nominated by the CCC) for a terms of 3 years, who will be responsible for hearing appeals made against the outcome of a complaint.

Transparency

  • The CID Code of Conduct complaints process will be published on the CID website.
  • Once the complaints process is completed, complainants and signatory organisations will be entitled to an explanation of the reasons for the decision.

Confidentiality

  • The CCC and CID will respect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties in line with the 12 principles of the Privacy Act 1993.
  • At all stages of the complaints process, the complaint will be treated as strictly confidential unless and until the complaint has been determined to be a notifiable breach of the Code of Conduct.

Efficiency

  • The Code of Conduct complaints process will be conducted as efficiently as practicable.
  • The Code of Conduct complaints process will provide the parties with reasonable expectation of milestones for completion of each stage of the process.

How to make a complaint

Step 1: Deciding if you would like to make a complaint

Complaints should first be raised with the relevant signatory organisation.  All signatory organisations have their own mechanisms to handle complaints and information can be found on their websites.  If you are not satisfied with the response, you can then lodge a complaint with the Code of Conduct Committee.

In general, the Code of Conduct Committee will only accept complaints in writing and only if you are willing to be identified.  If you have genuine cause to believe that you may be at risk from having your identify revealed to the member organisation, you may request that the Code of Conduct Committee maintain your confidentially.  Anonymous complaints will not be accepted or investigated by the Code of Conduct Committee.

 

Step 2: Provide information

Complaints against signatory organisations under the CID Code of Conduct should:

  • be in writing
  • include the name and contact details of the complainant
  • set out the basis of the complaint
  • Outline the aspect of the Code of Conduct you believe are being breached
  • include all supporting evidence
  • include evidence that you have already raised the issue with the relevant signatory organisation.

You may be contacted to provide further information. Any complaints that do not meet the above criteria may be dismissed.

 

Step 3: Submit a complaint to CID

Complaints should be marked confidential and emailed to:  

 

Chair, CID Code of Conduct Committee

Email: code@cid.org.nz

 

Or posted to:

 

Chair, CID Code of Conduct Committee

C/o Council for International Development

PO Box 24 228
Manners Mall
Wellington 6142
New Zealand

 

To view the full CID Code of Conduct Complaints-Handling policy, click here.

 

For more information on the Code of Conduct or the Complaints Handling process contact the CID Code of Conduct Coordinator.

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