Behavioural Commitments

The Behavioural Commitments are considered as a minimum behavioural standard. They apply in ALL places, at ALL times, to ALL staff, international mobile staff, locally hired staff and HQ staff, visitors, consultants and partners.

MSF staff members and operational partners shall:

Behave respectfully and not discriminate against patients, colleagues or members of the local population on the basis of their race, opinions, lifestyle, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic back-ground, origin, religion, beliefs and other markers of identity.

Not abuse anyone physically (i.e. physical violence, sexual agression or other forms of physical abuse) or psychologically (e.g; bullying, abuse of power, harassment, discrimination or favouritism).

Not accept, under any circumstances, behaviour that exploits the vulnerability of others, in the broadest possible sense (sexual, economic, etc.). This includes exchange of goods, benefits or services or acts of a sexual nature, including the use of sex workers' services while on assignment.

Not accept child abuse, exploitation and violence and not engage in sexual relations with children.

Not take advantage of their position for personal gain. Each member shall use MSF resources (including premises, goods, money, reputation, image, etc.) with respect and care and in the interests of the organisation and the populations it seeks to assist.

Promoting a work environment free of harassment, exploitation and abuse

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) promotes a working environment free of harassment and abuse. Our leadership has unequivocally committed to reinforce mechanisms and procedures to prevent and address abuse and harassment. All staff are expected to abide by the MSF movement's Behavioural Commitments and our guiding principles as stipulated in our Charter.

The integrity of our organisation is upheld by the good conduct of each individual staff member, in any location, with full respect for the communities we serve. For us, this means not tolerating any behaviour from our staff that exploits the vulnerability of others, or of employees taking advantage of their position for personal gain.

Grievance mechanisms

Procedures, including grievance mechanisms, are in place to encourage prevention, detection, reporting, and management of all types of misbehaviour, harassment and abuse. Through these mechanisms, all staff members are encouraged to report inappropriate behaviour or abuse either through their management line or through specific reporting channels outside any hierarchical lines, using dedicated email addresses. Victims or witnesses in the communities where MSF works are likewise encouraged to report misconduct to us so that allegations can be properly addressed.

Broad awareness activities are carried out to inform all staff of the mechanisms available to them to report abuse. This information is shared through specific communications, including in printed staff manuals, and is conveyed in briefings, field visits and trainings. Moreover, e-briefings and learning modules related to behaviour and management of abuse are regularly updated and improved.

There is a range of ongoing work in this area that has been taking place across the MSF movement in recent years. Examples include:

Creating new positions and/or increasing staff support to provide training, field visits and investigation on these issues.
Undertaking workshops and other forms of consultation with staff to assess the problem and the steps needed to address it.
Revising, promoting and strengthening guidance provided to staff on how to report harassment, abuse or exploitation.
Reinforcing awareness at the patient and community level where we have operations
Improving data-gathering and sharing across the MSF movement.

Managing misbehaviour cases confidentially

MSF aims to ensure that these situations are addressed with the utmost confidentiality, to create an environment where people feel they can safely file complaints, without fearing for their safety, their job, or their confidentiality.

Our first priority when misbehaviour is reported is the safety and health of the potential victims. Immediate attention is given to provide support, which can include psychological and medical care, and securing legal assistance.

MSF always respects the victim’s decision to bring – or not – a matter to justice. In the event of sexual abuse against minors, MSF’s policy is to report the case to judiciary authorities depending on the child’s best interests and availability of such procedures.