At the Veronique Ntube Foundation, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH). We believe that every individual has the right to work and engage in our programs in a safe and respectful environment. Our commitment to preventing SEAH is a cornerstone of our organizational culture and extends to all staff, volunteers, partners, and beneficiaries.
To implement this commitment, we have established a comprehensive set of policies and procedures designed to prevent and address SEAH. These include mandatory training for all staff on recognizing and responding to incidents of sexual exploitation and harassment, as well as clear reporting channels for victims and witnesses. Our training programs emphasize the importance of respecting boundaries, understanding power dynamics, and recognizing the signs of exploitation and abuse.
We also have strict protocols for reporting and investigating any allegations of SEAH. All reports are taken seriously and handled with the utmost confidentiality to protect the dignity and safety of survivors. We ensure that survivors receive the necessary support, including access to counseling, legal assistance, and other forms of care. The foundation is committed to holding perpetrators accountable, and we work closely with law enforcement and other relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.
Furthermore, we have established partnerships with local organizations that specialize in gender-based violence and victim support. These partnerships enable us to provide comprehensive care to survivors and ensure that our interventions are culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate.
Our commitment to preventing SEAH extends to our partners and suppliers as well. We require that all partners adhere to our SEAH policies and undergo regular monitoring to ensure compliance. In cases where a partner is found to be in violation of these standards, we take immediate action, including terminating the partnership if necessary.
Overall, the Veronique Ntube Foundation is unwavering in its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved in our programs. By fostering a culture of respect and accountability, we strive to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment and to uphold the highest ethical standards in all our operations.
The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance at the Veronique Ntube Foundation. We are dedicated to creating an environment where children are protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Our child protection policies and practices are designed to ensure that every child we serve is treated with dignity, respect, and care.
To implement our child protection commitment, we have established rigorous policies that apply to all staff, volunteers, and partners. These policies are grounded in international child protection standards and are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective and relevant. Every staff member is required to undergo thorough background checks before employment, and all volunteers and partners must sign a child protection agreement that outlines their responsibilities in safeguarding children.
Training is a key component of our child protection strategy. All staff and volunteers receive comprehensive training on child protection, including how to recognize signs of abuse, how to respond to disclosures, and how to report concerns. We emphasize the importance of creating a child-friendly environment where children feel safe and empowered to speak up if they experience or witness any form of harm.
Our reporting and response mechanisms are designed to be child-centered, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and their rights are upheld throughout the process. We have established clear protocols for reporting and responding to child protection concerns, including designated child protection officers who are trained to handle cases with sensitivity and confidentiality. These officers work closely with local child protection authorities and organizations to ensure that appropriate action is taken and that children receive the support they need.
The Veronique Ntube Foundation also recognizes the importance of educating children and their communities about their rights and how to protect themselves from harm. We conduct awareness campaigns and workshops that teach children about their rights, how to recognize abuse, and how to seek help. We also engage parents, caregivers, and community leaders in these efforts to build a protective network around the children in our programs.
In addition to our internal policies, we advocate for stronger child protection laws and systems at the local and national levels. We collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to strengthen child protection frameworks and ensure that children’s rights are prioritized in policy and practice.
At the Veronique Ntube Foundation, our commitment to child protection is unwavering. We are dedicated to creating a world where every child can grow up safe, healthy, and empowered to reach their full potential. By upholding the highest standards of child protection, we aim to make this vision a reality for every child we serve.
Integrity and trust are foundational to the Veronique Ntube Foundation’s mission. To uphold these values, we are committed to preventing and addressing any form of fraud or corruption within our organization. We recognize that fraud and corruption not only undermine our mission but also erode the trust of our beneficiaries, donors, and partners. Therefore, we have implemented robust policies and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud and corruption.
Our prevention strategy begins with a strong organizational culture that promotes ethical behavior and accountability. We have established a code of conduct that outlines the expectations for all staff, volunteers, and partners regarding ethical practices and the prohibition of fraudulent activities. This code of conduct is reinforced through regular training and awareness programs that educate staff about the risks of fraud and corruption and how to prevent them.
We have also implemented stringent financial controls and auditing processes to minimize the risk of fraud. These controls include segregation of duties, regular internal and external audits, and the use of secure financial systems to track and manage funds. All financial transactions are subject to rigorous oversight, ensuring that funds are used appropriately and in accordance with donor intentions.
To further safeguard against fraud and corruption, we have established a whistleblower policy that encourages staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries to report any suspicious activities or concerns. Reports can be made anonymously, and we guarantee that all reports will be investigated promptly and thoroughly. We have a zero-tolerance policy for retaliation against whistleblowers, and we are committed to protecting those who come forward to report misconduct.
In addition to internal controls, we conduct due diligence on all partners, suppliers, and contractors to ensure they adhere to our ethical standards. We require that all partners sign an anti-fraud and anti-corruption agreement as part of their engagement with the foundation. We also monitor and assess the performance of partners and suppliers to ensure they are complying with our standards.
When fraud or corruption is detected, we take immediate and decisive action. This includes conducting a thorough investigation, taking disciplinary action against those involved, and reporting the incident to the relevant authorities. We also work to recover any misappropriated funds and to strengthen our controls to prevent future occurrences.
The Veronique Ntube Foundation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. By proactively preventing and addressing fraud and corruption, we ensure that our resources are used effectively to achieve our mission and that the trust placed in us by our stakeholders is upheld.
At the Veronique Ntube Foundation, we are committed to conducting our work with the highest level of integrity and transparency. A key aspect of this commitment is the identification and management of conflicts of interest. We recognize that conflicts of interest can compromise the objectivity of our decision-making processes and undermine the trust placed in us by our beneficiaries, donors, and partners. Therefore, we have implemented clear policies and procedures to manage and mitigate conflicts of interest.
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional interests interfere with their ability to act in the best interests of the foundation. To prevent such situations, we require all staff, volunteers, and board members to disclose any potential conflicts of interest upon joining the organization and on an ongoing basis. This includes disclosing any relationships, financial interests, or outside activities that could potentially influence their work at the foundation.
Our conflict of interest policy outlines the steps to be taken when a potential conflict is identified. This includes a formal disclosure process, where the individual is required to report the potential conflict to their supervisor or the designated conflict of interest officer. The conflict is then reviewed by an independent committee, which assesses the situation and determines the appropriate course of action. This may include recusal from decision-making processes, divestment of financial interests, or other measures to mitigate the conflict.
We also provide regular training on conflict of interest issues to ensure that all staff, volunteers, and board members understand their responsibilities and the importance of maintaining the integrity of our work. This training covers the identification of potential conflicts, the disclosure process, and the consequences of failing to manage conflicts of interest appropriately.
In addition to internal disclosures, we are committed to transparency with our external stakeholders. We provide clear and accessible information about our conflict of interest policies and procedures on our website and in our annual reports. This ensures that our donors, beneficiaries, and partners are aware of our commitment to ethical practices and can trust that our decisions are made in the best interests of the communities we serve.
Our approach to managing conflicts of interest also extends to our partnerships and collaborations. We require that all partners adhere to our conflict of interest policies and disclose any potential conflicts before entering into agreements with the foundation. This ensures that our partnerships are based on mutual trust and aligned interests.
At the Veronique Ntube Foundation, we believe that effective conflict of interest management is essential to maintaining the trust and confidence of our stakeholders. By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, we ensure that our work is carried out with integrity and in the best interests of the communities we serve.
Since our founding, the Veronique Ntube Foundation has upheld equity as a cornerstone of our organization, both for our staff and those served by our programs. To continue this commitment and achieve our mission, we strive for transformational change within our organization and in our work.
In line with our value of fostering diversity and inclusion, the Veronique Ntube Foundation is an inclusive workplace that embeds the principles of fairness, respect, equity, and dignity into our organizational culture. We take a firm stand against discrimination and harassment, fostering an environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds—including race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, HIV status, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental or pregnancy status, or any other characteristic—are embraced and valued.
The Veronique Ntube Foundation supports diversity by:
- Valuing the unique life experiences each staff member contributes to the foundation’s success;
- Embracing the rich and varied cultures represented within our workforce;
- Recognizing that diversity enhances creativity, innovation, and awareness; and
- Cultivating a culture where all staff members are encouraged to achieve their professional and personal goals.
Within our organization, we recognize the importance of addressing the drivers of inequality and non-inclusion. We are committed to implementing greater equity and sustainable improvements in our human resources policies, systems, and procedures, investing in our workforce, and increasing diverse representation at every level. By developing and adopting a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy, we will hold ourselves accountable for these and other actionable steps to reinforce and sustain our values.
Gender equity is a fundamental principle of the Veronique Ntube Foundation. We believe that everyone, regardless of gender, should have equal access to opportunities, resources, and rights. Our commitment to gender equity is reflected in our policies, programs, and advocacy efforts, as we work to eliminate gender-based disparities and promote equality in all aspects of our work.
Our approach to gender equity begins with creating a gender-sensitive and inclusive organizational culture. We have established policies and practices that promote gender equity in recruitment, hiring, and career development. This includes setting gender diversity targets, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and providing opportunities for leadership development for women and gender minorities. We also offer flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies that support the work-life balance of all employees, regardless of gender.
To further support gender equity, we provide training and education on gender issues for all staff and volunteers. This training covers topics such as gender sensitivity, gender-based violence, and the importance of gender equity in development work. We encourage open discussions about gender issues and provide a safe space for staff to share their experiences and ideas for promoting gender equity within the organization.
In our programs, we prioritize gender equity by designing and implementing initiatives that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women and gender minorities. This includes programs that focus on women’s empowerment, access to education and healthcare, economic opportunities, and protection from gender-based violence. We also ensure that our programs are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of gender, and that they actively challenge and dismantle harmful gender norms and stereotypes.
We recognize that achieving gender equity requires collaboration and partnership. We work closely with local and international organizations, governments, and communities to advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equity. This includes supporting initiatives that advance women’s rights, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and working to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence.
Our commitment to gender equity is also reflected in our governance and decision-making processes. We strive to ensure that women and gender minorities are represented at all levels of the organization, including our board and leadership. We believe that diverse leadership leads to better decision-making and more effective outcomes, and we are committed to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued.
At the Veronique Ntube Foundation, gender equity is not just a goal; it is a guiding principle that informs everything we do. We are committed to challenging and changing the systems and structures that perpetuate gender inequality, and to creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.
The Veronique Ntube Foundation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct in all our operations. We believe that accountability and transparency are essential to building trust with our beneficiaries, donors, partners, and staff. As part of this commitment, we have established clear and accessible mechanisms for reporting concerns of misconduct, ensuring that all reports are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
Misconduct can take many forms, including fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, and other violations of our policies and values. We encourage all staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to report any concerns of misconduct, without fear of retaliation. Our reporting mechanisms are designed to be confidential, accessible, and easy to use, ensuring that everyone feels safe and supported in coming forward.
To facilitate the reporting of misconduct, we have established multiple channels for submitting reports, including a confidential hotline, an online reporting form, and direct contact with designated misconduct officers. These channels are available in multiple languages and are accessible to all, regardless of location or position within the organization. We also provide guidance on how to report misconduct and what to expect during the investigation process.
When a report of misconduct is received, it is reviewed by an independent misconduct investigation team, which operates separately from the day-to-day management of the foundation. This team is trained to handle cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, and impartiality, ensuring that all reports are investigated thoroughly and fairly. We are committed to protecting the rights and privacy of both the reporter and the accused, and we take all necessary steps to prevent retaliation against those who come forward.
If an investigation confirms that misconduct has occurred, we take immediate and appropriate action. This may include disciplinary measures, termination of employment, legal action, or other corrective actions, depending on the severity of the misconduct. We also work to address any systemic issues that may have contributed to the misconduct and to strengthen our policies and procedures to prevent future occurrences.
In addition to addressing individual cases of misconduct, we use the information gathered from reports to identify patterns and trends that may indicate broader issues within the organization. This allows us to proactively address potential risks and to continuously improve our systems and practices.
Ways to report a concern or complaint
- Submit a report on report@veroniquentubefoundation.org
- Or Email the Integrity Hotline
- Call your country’s Integrity Hotline phone number. The phone number associated with your country location can be found here. An operator is available in over 200 languages.
- Our Foundations’ staff can also use the following reporting options, included but not limited to their manager, a member of the global Human Resources team, or a Focal Point.
The Veronique Ntube Foundation is committed to creating a culture of accountability, where misconduct is not tolerated, and everyone is empowered to speak up. By providing clear, accessible, and confidential reporting mechanisms, we ensure that concerns are heard, addressed, and acted upon, and that we uphold the highest ethical standards in all our work.