Enabling poor rural people
to overcome poverty



Focus on results

We strive to achieve excellent results. We accept personal responsibility and accountability for our actions and results. We recognize achievement and reward high performance. We respond to the needs and expectations of our clients and stakeholders with urgency, exercising good judgement in addressing changing circumstances.

Monitorable behaviours:

  • We deliver monitorable results and high-quality services and products.
  • We are accountable for our actions, decisions and results.
  • We respond rapidly and helpfully to the needs and expectations of our clients, stakeholders and partners.
  • We search for and apply innovative and effective solutions.
  • We demonstrate high energy and resilience.
  • We synthesize information, clarify objectives, delegate effectively and define roles and responsibilities.
  • We recognize initiative and provide constructive feedback.
  • We reward and promote based on merit and results achieved for IFAD and our counterparts in developing countries.

Integrity

We are driven by our commitment to enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty, and not by personal gain or alliances with vested interests. We protect and promote the reputation of IFAD. We are honest and act with integrity. We do not tolerate unethical behaviour; we challenge it as a matter of personal responsibility, regardless of our position in the organization.

Monitorable behaviours:

  • We strive to achieve IFAD's mission to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty.
  • We behave in ways that protect and enhance IFAD's image and reputation.
  • We refuse to tolerate or engage in unethical behaviour or fraudulent practices and we report them when encountered.
  • We manage IFAD's financial resources transparently and in ways that deliver value for money.
  • We apply IFAD's rules and procedures equally and consistently.
  • We refuse to tolerate harassment, mobbing and other abuses of power and authority, challenging and reporting these behaviours when encountered.
  • We make fair and transparent decisions and explain them clearly.
  • We do not blame others or engage in vicious gossip.

Professionalism

We exercise high levels of professionalism in our work and reward merit. We use the most appropriate skills and competencies, continually seeking opportunities to improve through innovative approaches. We work collaboratively towards our common goal of serving poor rural people regardless of individual roles or functions and apply the same ethos with our partners. We share our knowledge of best practices with colleagues at all levels to enhance the quality of our services.

Monitorable behaviours:

  • We take pride in our work and aspire to be the best we can be.
  • We continuously learn and improve our performance.
  • We share information and knowledge with our co-workers and partners for the corporate benefit.
  • We work effectively in teams, value our colleagues’ ideas and cooperate with, encourage and support them.
  • We adhere to the highest standards of our professions and adopt best practices.
  • We embrace new ideas and explore innovative ways of working.
  • We communicate openly and transparently and use appropriate channels.
  • We welcome, coach and mentor newcomers and give them an effective induction.
  • We relate to poor rural people in a professional, empathetic and egalitarian manner.
  • We recognize and celebrate achievements.

Respect

We treat our staff, partners, donors and poor rural people with respect and sensitivity. We value diversity and draw upon the different strengths, cultures, ideas, experience and talents of people. We provide equal and fair opportunities for employment, career development and learning. We ensure a positive and energizing work environment.

Monitorable behaviours:

  • We respect the dignity and worth of all, regardless of religion, culture, nationality and employment category.
  • We treat poor rural people, our co-workers, partners and members with sensitivity and respect.
  • We treat women and men equally.
  • We value diversity and draw on all our different strengths, cultures, ideas, experiences and talents to achieve our mission.
  • We provide equal and fair opportunities for employment, career development and learning.
  • We listen attentively and with empathy.
  • We foster a healthy work-life balance.
  • We build a positive and energizing work environment.