1. Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE)

Inspired to see a corruption-free Ethiopia, Transparency International Ethiopia was established on October 29, 2002, as an anti-corruption civil society organization. Its mission is to fight all forms of corruption and promote good governance, ethics and integrity in public affairs.

2. Policy statement

The policy statement is made with the mission, vision, and objectives of Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE), which is fighting all forms of corruption and promoting integrity in the country; to see a corruption-free society that upholds integrity and with the objectives to raise public awareness about the negative effects of corruption; to promote values of integrity and accountability; support on-going efforts to curb corruption; contribute to increasing understanding of corruption and its effect on society, governance, and development. Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) also established Advocacy and Legal Aid Centre (ALAC) to give free legal aid services for victims and witnesses of corruption and also to advocate for bringing social and institutional reform to combat corruption.

3. Scope and Purpose

This policy applies to all paid employees, seconded staff, trustees, volunteers, mentors, students, agency workers, and contract and unpaid staff working on behalf of Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) in any capacity and in any setting. All Stakeholders, related members, and young volunteers involved in the work of Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) should be made aware of Transparency International Ethiopia’s (TIE) safeguarding policies and procedures.

Since Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) directly with the societies, it believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by staff or associated personnel. So, Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will nominate a focal person that will be responsible to receive complaints from staff regarding safeguarding.

4. Legal Framework

Everyone has a right to be safeguarded from abuse or neglect. There is a legislative framework in place to safeguard women and female children as well as all beneficiaries through the national and international laws that are adopted by Ethiopia. In addition to the ordinary laws of the country governing such matters, Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) has introduced this governing document to supplement the protection work.

5. Procedures for safeguarding

5.1. Child safeguarding

Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) staff and associated personnel shall not:

• Initiate and/ or engage by any means relations which bring about sexual practices.
• Communicate any sexually provoking or harassing matters in verbal, written, or nonverbal means.
• Engage in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18.
• Sexually abuse or exploit children.
• Subject a child to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse, or neglect.
• Engage in any commercially exploitative activities with children including child labor or trafficking

5.2. Adult safeguarding

TIE staff and associated personnel must not:

• Sexually abuse or exploit at-risk adults.
• Engage in sexual activity with any of the beneficiaries.
• Initiate and/ or engage by any means relations which bring about sexual practices.
• Communicate any sexually provoking or harassing matters in verbal, written, or nonverbal means.
• Take financial benefits of any nature directly or indirectly from beneficiaries.
• Subject an adult at risk to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse, or neglect.

5.3. Additional Responsibilities

Additionally, TIE staff and associated personnel are obliged to:

• Contribute to creating and maintaining an environment that prevents safeguarding violations and promotes the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy.
• Report any concerns or suspicions regarding safeguarding violations by TE staff members or associated personnel to the appropriate staff member.

6. Reporting

Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will ensure that safe, appropriate, accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns are made available to staff and the communities we work with. Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will also accept complaints from external sources such as members of the public, partners, and official bodies.

Staff members who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to the focal person. If the staff member does not feel comfortable reporting to the focal point, they may report to any other appropriate body such as the Executive Director.

7. Response

Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will follow up on safeguarding reports and concerns according to its policy and procedure. Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will apply appropriate disciplinary measures to staff found in breach of policy.

Apart from administrative measures which amount from a written warning to termination of the contract, Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will pursue Criminal and Civil cases against the wrongdoer. 

Transparency International Ethiopia (TIE) will offer support to survivors of harm caused by staff or associated personnel, regardless of whether a formal internal response is carried out (such as an internal investigation). Decisions regarding support will be led by the survivor.

8. Confidentiality

It is essential that confidentiality is maintained at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns.  Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management should be shared on a need to know basis only, and should be kept secure at all times.