IMS Content

Code of Conduct

Myanmar Red Cross Society

Code of Conduct

1.        Introduction

Myanmar Red Cross Society (hereafter called “MRCS”) is a volunteer based humanitarian organization providing humanitarian services not only in times of disasters but also under peaceful conditions trying to make the community safe and resilient. The Society is fully committed to the seven Fundamental Principles of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the delivery of services to the community. The code of conduct is to provide employees, and volunteers with guidance on the standards of behavior expected of them in performing their duties of employment and in their dealings with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, suppliers, beneficiaries, and members of the community

2.        Scope and application

This code of conduct applies to all employees and volunteers of Myanmar Red Cross Society.

As employees and volunteers are representing Myanmar Red Cross Society in providing humanitarian services to vulnerable people all of their behavior and activities will directly or indirectly affect MRCS reputation, integrity, and image.

MRCS personnel have a duty to report any breach of Code of Conduct to the appropriate person (Refer to Reporting Procedures). All reports and concerns raised will be properly considered and treated with discretion. The society will take all necessary steps to prevent any form of retaliation against Staff reporting possible breaches of Code of Conduct.

This code shall automatically form an integral part of all forms of MRCS contracts such as employment, service agreement, consultancy agreement, etc.

Violations of this Code are subject to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with Staff Regulations or Disciplinary Measures.

3.        Definition

“Employee” includes a consultant, a staff for MRCS who deploy from other organization, internship, and any other person (other than a volunteer) who is engaged in the operations of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, whether individually or in a group;

“Fundamental Principles” means the Seven Fundamental

Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;

“Volunteer” means a person who often or regularly works for Myanmar Red Cross Society without any expectation from National Society.

4.        Basic Principles of Code of Conduct

  • Respect, advocate, promote and strictly adhere to the Fundamental Principles Protect MRCS reputation and image at all times
  • Respect and follow the policies, regulations, and procedures of Myanmar Red Cross Society
  • Respect and promote Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and emblems
  • Avoid any form of inappropriate behavior

4.1.      Fundamental Principles

The fundamental principles distinguish us from other organizations. All staff and volunteers should demonstrate respect for the Principle by:

  • Upholding the human dignity of every person at all times throughout MRCS service
  • Ensure that actions are guided by the need of vulnerable people and by not discriminating of nationality, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, social background, disability, family status, marital status, age or political opinions
  • Not taking sides in hostilities or engaging publicly in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological
  • Acting at all times in accordance with the principles of the Movement and the laws of Myanmar

5.        Standard Code for employees and volunteers

5.1      General Conduct

When representing the Myanmar Red Cross Society, Red Cross staff volunteers will:

  • Act with honesty, integrity fairly, and transparently
  • Behave in a way maintains and builds the reputation of MRCS
  • Respect and follow MRCS policy and regulations
  • Respect the confidentiality of personal and privileged information
  • Demonstrate excellent work behaviors by not using illegal drugs or suffering from the effects of alcohol while at work
  • Manage funds and supplies of goods in appropriate and professional manner by respecting rules and regulations to be accountable
  • Not benefit improperly or allow a third party to benefit improperly (whether directly or indirectly) from association with an enterprise that engages in any business or transaction with the MRCS (including association with the management or the holding of financial interest). Any potential conflict of interest with a supplier, service provider, or business partner (such as family relations or shareholding) must be disclosed
  • Conduct action or conversation which is humiliating, neglectful, insubordinate, dishonest, threatening, degrading, bullying, exploitive, illegal or racist
  • Refrain from:
  • Sexual exploitation with beneficiaries, with children, and with subordinate;
  • Personal relationship with commercial sex workers; – Intentional misuse of the Red Cross emblem;
  • Acceptance of bribes;
  • Disclosing without authorization, directly or indirectly, to any person or organization, the private affairs of the Myanmar Red Cross Society including, but not limited to, trade secrets, supplier lists, or personal information. of beneficiaries, volunteers and staff;
  • Surfing/reading inappropriate websites and/or electronic message boards; sending inappropriate e mail including, but not limited to, sites/subjects that advocate principles or beliefs not in line with the Fundamental Principles, that advocate illegal activities, sexual/pornographic facilities

No current staff and volunteers of MRCS  may be elected to any office of political party

5.2      Children Protection Code of Conduct

  • Treat children with respect regardless language, religion, ethic social status property, disability, birth or other
  • Not use language or behavior towards children that inappropriate, harassing, violent demeaning culturally inappropriate Not engage any of sexual activity including for sexual services acts (under age of years)..
  • Wherever possible, ensure that another adult present when working in the proximity
  • Not invite unaccompanied children into staff volunteers’ home, unless they are injury physical danger
  • Not sleep to unsupervised children unless absolutely necessary, volunteers must supervisor’s permission, ensure another adult present possible
  • Not use any computers, mobile phones, and digital cameras appropriately, and never harass children access exploitation material through any medium (see “Use of Children’s images for work related purposes”, below)
  • Not use physical and psychological punishment on children
  • Not hire children for domestic or other labor which is inappropriate given their age or developmental stage, which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities, or which places them at significant risk of injury
  • Comply with all relevant local legislation, including labor laws in relation to child labor

5.2(a)  Use of children’s images for work related purposes

When photographing or filming a child or using children’s images for work related purposes,

  • Assess and endeavor to comply with local traditions or restrictions for reproducing personal images before  photographing or filming a child
  • Obtain informed consent from the child and parent or guardian of the child before photographing or filming child. As part of this MRCS staff and volunteers must explain how the photograph or film will be used
  • Ensure photographs, films, videos and DVDs present children in dignified and respectful manner and not a vulnerable or submissive manner. Children should be adequately clothed and not in poses that could be seen as sexually suggestive
  • Ensure images are honest representations of the context and the facts, and
  • Ensure the file labels, meta data or text descriptions do not reveal identifying information about child when sending images electronically or publishing images in any form

5.3      Integrity

When MRCS staff and volunteers are dealing with Governments, Local authorities, Suppliers, Donors, Beneficiaries, Communities, other Organizations, and inter-organization:

  • Behave politely, sensitively and respectfully
  • Value differences and take account the sensitivities of peoples’ customs, habits, and religious beliefs and avoid any behavior that is not appropriate in a particular
  • Avoid behavior that could be considered as abusive, harassment, exploitation, or discriminatory
  • Recognize and respect other’s roles, contributions, experience and skills
  • Not intentionally misrepresent their official functions or title to any entities or persons.

5.4      Protection of information, funds and assets:

  • Abide by the MRCS. Flag and Logo Regulation, on the use of emblem, logo and prevent its misuse
  • Protect information, funds and assets from loss, damage, misuse, waste and theft
  • Employees and Volunteers shall not at any time use internal information, funds, and assets of MRCS for personal advantage..
  • Respect and maintain confidentiality as appropriate, both during and outside Red Cross Services and after termination of Red Cross services
  • Disclosure of any information that includes design, data, cartoons, photos, videos, maps, vinyl, reports, and internal to the media or other external parties unless within the scope of employment duties or otherwise authorized to do so (external parties means outside of MRCS)
  • Not to represent MRCS in media unless designated by the Secretary General
  • Respect the confidentiality of personal and privileged information

6. Responsibility

  • The Human Resources Department is responsible for advising stakeholders, maintaining, monitoring, and revising this policy; and for authorizing exceptions.
  • Members of the Executive Committee (ECs) are responsible for the application and implementation of this policy in each of their respective areas.

7. Related Policies Statements

  • All Myanmar Red Cross Society staff and volunteers are obliged to sign this Code of Conduct, and must be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of this Code of Conduct as well as those of related policies referred to herein, which are incorporated into and form part of this Code of Conduct. Related documents are the Seven Fundamental Principles, Youth Policy, Volunteer Policy, Human Resources Policy, Integrity Policy, Communication Policy, the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, the anti-harassment guidelines, and all other Myanmar Red Cross Society policies.

MRCS Editor

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