People In Aid Code of Best Practice: Statement of Principles

Britain’s hundred or so international relief and development agencies together sent roughly 9,000 expatriates abroad last year. They can expect to receive, however, 3,000 unsolicited applications in a single week. Few can afford to support a permanent ‘ensemble’ of experienced, technically qualified emergency relief staff. So, many field workers move, like jobbing actors, from contract to contract and employer to employer, often accepting poorer working standards or career prospects as a result. No humanitarian agency or donor would support a programme that achieved welfare for one group in the community at the expense of another, and this standard must be applicable to an agency’s own staff as well as the beneficiaries of its work. Respect for an aid worker’s value is an essential part of any aid agencies’ relief or development programme if the quality of programme is to be maintained and improved.

The Statement of Principles is the heart of People in Aid’s Code of Best Practice. People in Aid aims to ensure best practice in the management and support of those who work in emergency relief, rehabilitation and development programmes. It reflects concern to see the people-centred values of aid agencies extend to all those who work for them. This, we believe, is key to enhancing effectiveness and professionalism in our work with communities suffering poverty, discrimination and disaster.

The Statement of Principles was drawn up by the 12 members of the ODA-funded People in Aid Steering Group. The Group was faced with the task of reviewing and recommending human resource management practice in field operations on behalf of a wide range of organisations: some agencies focus on long-term development while others respond principally to disasters and emergencies; some employ salaried field staff, while others recruit volunteers; some organisations recruit their staff directly, while others recruit technical personnel for associate agencies.

The evidence of Rebecca Macnair’s seminar report, Room for Improvement, on the management and support of expatriate relief and development workers, emphasised the need to put our house in order. We presented a draft Statement of Principles, refer to all staff, including volunteer and contract staff, who work in international relief and development operations, whatever their country of origin.

The Statement of Principles is, however, only a start. The full People in Aid Code of Best Practice will be published in 1997. It comprises the Statement of Principles, a plan of action and a set of guidelines, benchmarks and examples that show how to put these principles into practice.

People in Aid believes that aid agencies should remain accountable: both to those they channel resources to, and to those who supply them. People who work in aid agencies supply the most valuable and the most vulnerable resource. We believe an agency can only value itself as highly as it value its people.

People in Aid Statement of Principles: Draft

(Note: the Statement of Principles is a part of the People Aid Code of Best Practice on the Management and Support of Aid Personnel to be published in 1997. The full Code will comprise the Statement of Principles, a plan of action and a set of guidelines, benchmarks and examples that demonstrate how these principles may be put into practice.)

1. The people who work for us are integral to our effectiveness and success

   Our approach to the people in our organisation is a fundamental part of our work. We recognise that the effectiveness and success of our organisation depend on all the people who work for us. Human resource issues are integral to our strategic plans.

2. Our human resource policies aim for best practice

   We recognise that our human resource policies should aim constantly for best practice. We do not aim to respond solely to minium legal, professional and donor requirements.

3. Our human resource policies aim to be effective, efficient, fair and transparent

   We recognise that our policies must enable us to achieve both effectiveness in our work and good quality of working life for our staff. Our human resource policies therefore aim to be effective, efficient, fair and transparent and to promote equality of opportunity.

4. We consult our field staff when we develop human resource policy

   We recognise that we must implement, monitor and continuously develop our human resource policies in consultation with the people who work for us. We aim to include field personnel in this process, whether they are full-time, part-time temporary, short-term or long-term members of our staff.

5. Plans and budgets reflect our responsibilities towards our field staff

   We recognise that the effectiveness and success of our field operations depend on the contribution of all the salaried, contract and volunteer staff involved in them. Operational plans and budgets aim to reflect fully our responsibilities for staff management, support, development, security and well-being.

6. We provide appropriate training and support

   We recognise that we must provide relevant training and support to help staff work effectively and professionally. We aim to give them appropriate personal and professional support and development before, during and after their field assignments.

7. We take all reasonable steps to ensure staff security and well-being

   We recognise that the work of relief and development agencies often places great demands on staff in conditions of complexity and risk. We take all reasonable steps to ensure the security and well-being of staff and their families.

Further information on the People in Aid initiative can be obtained from:
Sara Davidson
Interagency Coordinator
Tel/fax: +44 171 235 0895