LHR Code of Conduct

RESPECT AND DIGNITY

• I will respect all persons equally, without any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion or disability.
• I will bear in mind that people may have different customs and habits than me.
• I will act in a manner that ensures the best interests of the most vulnerable as in the best interest of LHR.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

• I will uphold the integrity of Lighthouse Relief (hereafter called LHR) and always act based on a non-racist, non-discriminatory and gender sensitive conduct.  
• I will not promote any religious or political messages, but always act secularised and neutral.
• I understand that my shift leader is my direct supervisor while volunteering.
• I will not engage in any relationships – sexual, emotional, financial or employment-related – with beneficiaries, and I understand that doing so would be exploitative. This includes:
• Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade a beneficiary or community member
• Touch a person in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.

•        Engage in sexual abuse or activity with a beneficiary or community member
•        Make suggestive or inappropriate remarks to or about a beneficiary, this includes flirting and teasing.
•        Use discipline verbal or physical; that frightens, threatens, or degrades the beneficiaries, or undermines the staff in charge.
•        Use profanity, argue, or yell, in the presence of beneficiaries and community members. This includes, but is not limited to, swearing, racial, sexist, and ethnic comments or jokes.
•        Engage in rough or dangerous actions with the beneficiaries, including horseplay and tickling.
•       Administer medication to a beneficiary unless directed and supervised by the organization’s staff.
• I will be patient, respectful and courteous to all persons with whom I deal including fellow volunteers, refugees, government representatives, donors, visitors and other organizations.

• I will dress in a manner appropriate to the assignment and the cultural setting.
• I will act according to LHR’s instructions and policies. This includes committing as a full-time volunteer to the dates I agreed to prior to my arrival, as well as arriving on time to all shifts.
• I will refrain from all kinds of inappropriate behavior with children under 18, including close physical contact or transporting children under 18 from one location to another.
• I will avoid situations where i am alone with beneficiaries, and/or avoid taking beneficiaries out of the view of the organization’s staff members, unless asked by my direct supervisor.
• I will not be dressing or bathing beneficiaries out of the view of organization’s staff members.
• I will avoid socializing with beneficiaries outside of the organization without permission from my direct supervisor, but if such situation arises, behave according to the LHR’s code of conduct.
• I will never transport refugees, under no circumstances in any vehicle rented by Lighthouse Relief or by myself as a volunteer.
• I will not drink alcohol or use any substances that could affect my ability to carry out my role as a volunteer or compromise the image and interest of LHR.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

• I will respect the objectives and values of LHR and ensure that personal views, behaviour and beliefs, do not affect duties performed on behalf of LHR.
• I will not receive or provide bribes or kick-backs of any kind.

FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL RESOURCES

• I will safeguard and make responsible use of the information and resources to which I have access during and after my volunteering with LHR.
• I will handle LHR’s financial and material resources with the utmost care, safeguard these against theft, misuse or other damage.
• I will not share any confidential/sensitive information that I may obtain during my volunteering.

MEDIA & INFORMATION

• I will not take pictures and put them on social media, unless specific permission is granted from the shift leader/my manager as well as the individual and the parent/caretaker if the individual is under 18.
  If permission is granted, the photos must not be invasive and must be culturally appropriate.
  All efforts must be made to explain how photos will be used.

• I will not make comments to the media or journalists on behalf of LHR, unless granted permission.
• I will not provide any legal information or advice to beneficiaries, but always refer them to the appropriate authorities.

CRIMINAL AND UNETHICAL ACTIVITIES

• I will have no involvement in criminal and unethical activities, activities that contravene human rights, or activities that compromise the image and interest of LHR.
• I also confirm that I have never been convicted of a violent or sexually motivated crime.
• I will immediately report any breach of the Code of Conduct, to my shift leader/supervisor.

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE

• I will follow instructions regarding health, safety and welfare, both my own as well as others.
• I will follow the safety and security regulations and procedures for the area of operation. 
• I understand that difficult or stressful situations can occur and that my own wellbeing is important. I will make sure to take care of myself and contact LHR for support if needed.
• I will notify my shift leader/manager if I in any way feel uncomfortable or in need of help.
  

Lighthouse Relief reserves the right to terminate the volunteering agreement should we feel that the volunteer has not adhered to the code of conduct. I am aware of the fact that any breach of this Code of Conduct will lead to termination of the agreement. 

Signature:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………    

Date:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………