Whistleblowing: raising complaints and concerns

The Development Fund has zero tolerance for all kinds of corruption: all abuse of power, money or position for illegitimate personal or group benefits. Here you will find information on how to raise concern and complaints of corruption, also known as whistleblowing.

What constitutes corruption?

Corruption is defined by The Development Fund as all abuse of power, money or position for illegitimate personal or group benefits.

This includes all forms of ethical corruption, whether financial (for example bribes, embezzlement, extortion, kickbacks and fraud) or other forms of personal benefit or pleasure.

It also covers all forms of nepotism and illegitimate favouritism of groups or employees based on ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation or other identity.

This list is not exhaustive and does not mean that something not listed here is allowed.

Raising concerns at The Development Fund

The Development Fund encourages everyone to raise concerns of corruption, unethical or illegal behaviour. It is important that illegal or unethical conditions are uncovered quickly. Sanctions or reprisals against individuals who report such suspicions are not permitted.

We encourage that complaints are directed to the person concerned and/or the relevant line manager because this person is closest to the activities. If there are reasons not to address the concerns directly to the person in question or the relevant line manager, we recommend that the channels laid out below be used.

How to raise concerns at The Development Fund

Send an anonymous written complaint to our Complaints committee

Phone: +47 23 10 96 00 – ask to speak with Complaints committee or the Secretary General

Mail: Utviklingsfondet
Att.: Complaints committee - CONFIDENTIAL
Mariboes gate 8, 0183 Oslo, Norway.

Confidentiality and anonymity

The Development Fund will treat all concerns confidentially, both concerns raised by persons where the contact details are known and when the information is submitted anonymously.

Fear for reprisals, for one’s own safety or how the organisation will react are the main reasons for raising concerns and complaints anonymously. The Development Fund would be better enabled to make progress with action when it can make contact with individuals or groups who have raised the concern or complaint in order to get specific information to investigate.

Concerns and complaints raising policy at The Development Fund

Here you will find The Development Fund's routines for the reception and follow-up of internal and external complaints.

Who can complain?

All individuals with a relation or contact with The Development Fund are encouraged to raise concerns. This includes, but is not limited to:

Employees
Consultants and others directly involved in the organisation
Our partner organisations
Institutional/individual donors
Supporters and stakeholders

How is the complaint handled?

The following basic principles shall be applied uniformly when complaints are processed:

All complaints shall be taken seriously.
Development Fund staff and managers receiving a concern or complaint shall always ensure that it is followed up in a responsible way.
The information shall be channelled to the “Contact persons of confidence” in The Development Fund. These persons are established by the Board once a year.

The Contact persons of confidence shall ensure:

To register the concern in a pre-defined overall register for The Development Fund globally.
To draw up a log for each case received, stating all actions taken and key developments in the case, referring to documents that contain details as necessary.
Archiving of the register, the log and other case documents confidentially and securely.
To send confirmation to the person(s) raising the concern or complaint as soon as possible that the information has been received and is being followed up carefully.
To enquire whether the individual(s) raising the concern or complaint would avail themselves for interview, whether the initial concern or complaint was raised anonymously or by a named person(s).
To enquire whether the individual(s) raising the concern or complaint would like any further updates. If further investigation of a complaint is initiated, the person(s) accused shall be informed of the report and the allegations it contains. The accused shall be given the opportunity to present her or his view of the case, and to receive assistance from a trusted representative.
In cases where this is necessary for the purpose of police investigations, the person(s) accused shall not be informed of the report.