Code of Conduct
The standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism expected of everyone representing Help African Animals.
1. Purpose
This Code of Conduct establishes the standards expected of people representing or working with Help African Animals.
It applies to: Board and leadership, Staff, Volunteers, Interns, Consultants, Researchers, Contractors, Representatives, and People acting on behalf of HAA.
2. Our principles
We expect everyone working with HAA to demonstrate:
- Integrity: Act honestly and responsibly.
- Respect: Treat people, communities and colleagues with dignity.
- Accountability: Take responsibility for decisions and actions.
- Professionalism: Perform duties competently and responsibly.
- Conservation ethics: Put responsible conservation principles at the center of our work.
- Evidence: Represent information accurately and distinguish evidence from opinion.
3. Respectful conduct
People representing HAA must not engage in: Harassment, Bullying, Discrimination, Threats, Abuse, Intimidation, Sexual harassment, or Exploitation.
4. Communities
HAA representatives must:
- Respect local communities and listen to community perspectives
- Avoid discriminatory or degrading language
- Obtain appropriate consent for photographs/interviews
- Avoid exploiting community stories or making promises they cannot fulfill
- Respect cultural contexts
5. Wildlife
HAA representatives must:
- Respect wildlife welfare and follow applicable wildlife laws
- Avoid disturbing wildlife unnecessarily or unauthorized wildlife handling
- Never participate in illegal wildlife activities
- Avoid publishing sensitive information that could increase risks to wildlife
6. Research and information
HAA representatives must: Present information accurately, Avoid fabricating results, Avoid deliberately misleading statistics, Properly acknowledge sources, Respect research ethics, Protect confidential information, Correct significant errors when identified.
7. Financial integrity
HAA representatives must not: Steal HAA funds or property, Accept improper payments, Offer or accept bribes, Misuse donations, Falsify financial records, Use HAA resources for unauthorized personal benefit.
8. Conflicts of interest
Individuals must disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest where they could influence an HAA decision. A conflict must not be concealed.
9. Gifts and benefits
People representing HAA must not accept gifts, payments or benefits that could improperly influence their judgment.
Reasonable, low-value courtesy items may be accepted where they do not create an actual or perceived obligation and are consistent with HAA procedures.
10. Confidentiality and data
People working with HAA must protect confidential information and personal data. Information must only be accessed or shared when authorized and necessary.
11. Public representation
No person may represent themselves as an authorized spokesperson for HAA unless authorized.
People posting online about HAA should: Represent HAA accurately, Avoid confidential information, Avoid defamatory or misleading statements, Respect community and participant privacy.
12. Photography and storytelling
HAA representatives must use photography and stories responsibly. They should avoid: humiliating portrayals, exploitative images, misleading captions, unnecessary identification of vulnerable people, publication of sensitive wildlife locations.
13. Safeguarding
All HAA representatives must comply with HAA's Safeguarding Policy. Concerns about abuse, exploitation or harm must be reported through the appropriate safeguarding channel.
14. Reporting misconduct
Concerns may be reported through HAA's Safeguarding procedure, Whistleblowing procedure, or Management reporting process. No one should suffer retaliation for making a good-faith report.
15. Breaches
Breaches of this Code may result in appropriate action, which may include: Additional training, Formal warning, Removal from a project, Termination of a volunteer/intern arrangement, Termination of a contract, Disciplinary action, or Referral to relevant authorities where appropriate.
16. Acknowledgement
People working with HAA may be required to acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to comply with this Code of Conduct.