Code_of_Conduct - Toolkit V2 - A Five-Step Process

Sep 22, 2026

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Guidance note explaining how organisations can create, implement, and review an effective, integrated Code of Conduct aligned with HR and people-management systems. It provides a five-step planning approach with consultation, drafting and editing, and final approval and implementation, supported by customisable templates, checklists, hints, and resources. The toolkit also links Code of Conduct requirements to specific CHS commitments, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time14 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome to the CHS Alliance Toolkit for Creating an Effective Code of Conduct

How to Use This Toolkit

The Benefits of an Effective Code of Conduct

Who Does a Code of Conduct Apply To?

Code of Conduct Development or Review: A Five-step Process

Step 01: Plan the Work

Step 02: Consult Others

Step 03: Create, Review and Edit the Draft

Step 04: Obtain Approval and Implement

Conclusion

Further Sources of Advice, Support and Information

Annex

A CHS ALLIANCE GUIDANCE NOTE: HOW TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE CODE OF CONDUCT Everything you need to write or review an organisational Code of Conduct. Checklist Resources Customisable templates for every step A five-step planning process © Copyright 2021, CHS Alliance The contents of the Creating an effective Code of Conduct (CoC) Toolkit are protected by copyright law. Copyright in this material resides with the CHS Alliance or various other rights holders, as indicated. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This toolkit was written by CHS Alliance People Management Adviser, Gozel Baltaeva and with appreciation to Clare Condillac, Bongo HR, for her review. In the initial development of the toolkit, the author drew on many sources including public research, as well as feedback and resources shared with us by CHS Alliance members. Member input was a result of a member-wide Code of Conductscoping review launched in June 2019. Further review of this Guidance Note was based on a pilot of the CoC development methodology outlined in this document by Caritas Homa Bay, a CHS Alliance member organisation based in Kenya. Direct citations are referenced throughout the document while referenced links are included on page 18. Funding for this Toolkit has been provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK Government. DISCLAIMER While care has been taken in providing information in this publication, CHS Alliance gives no warranty, assurance or representation, and accepts no responsibility or liability for the correctness, accuracy, completeness or currency of this publication or any of the information in it and the associated templates and reports, or that it is suitable foryour intended use. HOW TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE CODE OF CONDUCT 01 CONTENTS WELCOME TO THE CHS ALLIANCE TOOLKIT FOR CREATING AN EFFECTIVE CODE OF CONDUCT PAGE 03 HOW TO USE THIS TOOLKIT PAGE 04 THE BENEFITS OF AN EFFECTIVE CODE OF CONDUCT PAGE 06 | WHO DOES A CODE OF CONDUCT APPLY TO?
PAGE 07 | | --- | | CODE OF CONDUCT DEVELOPMENT
OR REVIEW: A FIVESTEP PROCESS
PAGE 07 | STEP 01: PLAN THE WORK PAGE 08 | STEP 02:
CONSULT OTHERS
PAGE 10 | | --- | | STEP 03:
CREATE, REVIEW AND EDIT THE DRAFT
PAGE 12 | STEP 04: OBTAIN APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENT PAGE 14 CONCLUSION PAGE 17 | FURTHER SOURCES OF ADVICE, SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
PAGE 18 | | --- | | ANNEX
PAGE 19 | Welcome to the CHS Alliance Toolkit for creating an effective Code of Conduct. HOW TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE CODE OF CONDUCT 03 WELCOME This toolkit has been designed by CHS Alliance to assist organisations to develop, implement, and review an effective and integrated Code of Conduct (CoC) that is aligned with their organisational goals and Human Resources (HR) and people management systems. It reflects good practice and includes a user-friendly step-bystep implementation process, customisable templates, checklists, hints and tips, as well as additional resources to support you. CHS ALLIANCE CHS Alliance is a global network of humanitarian and development organisations committed to making aid work better for people. Together, weare a movement to strengthen accountability and to put people affected by crisis at the heart of what we do by implementing the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality & Accountability (CHS) . All CHS Alliance members are required to have a CoC that prohibits sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. CHS Alliance has issued this toolkit to advise, guide and support organisations how to be accountable to people affected by crisis, protect against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and support more effective people management. CODE OF CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS IN THE CHS The information contained in this toolkit supports organisations to implement the CHS, with particular reference to Commitments 3, 4 and 8, as outlined below: • CHS Commitment 3.6 to identify and act upon potential

FAQs

What does the CHS Alliance toolkit help organisations do?

It helps organisations develop, implement, and review an effective, integrated Code of Conduct aligned with organisational goals and HR and people-management systems.

What are the main steps in the Code of Conduct development or review process?

The toolkit follows a five-step process: plan the work, consult others, create/review/edit the draft, obtain approval and implement, and then conclude with further sources of advice and support.

Which CHS commitments does the toolkit reference for Code of Conduct requirements?

It references CHS Commitments 3.6, 4.1, and 8.7, including acting on unintended negative effects and having a code that obligates staff not to exploit, abuse, or discriminate against people.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Miles