Ethics
IFAD upholds the highest standards of ethical behaviour.
Anticorruption - IFAD
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Anticorruption
@IFAD/Barbara Gravelli
In our mission to empower rural people, IFAD aims to do no harm while doing good. We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and have zero tolerance for fraud, corruption or other prohibited practices. We strive to prevent the misuse of project funds and mitigate any negative consequences on people who rely on IFAD-funded or managed projects.
IFAD's anticorruption policy is integrated into our legal framework (Project Procurement Guidelines and General Conditions for Agricultural Development Financing) and applies to all recipients of IFAD financing, including staff, consultants and external parties, such as suppliers.
When IFAD determines that prohibited practices have occurred, we apply disciplinary measures and pursue the recovery of any losses, in accordance with the provisions of IFAD rules and regulations.
- Corrupt practice: the offering, giving, receiving or soliciting, directly or indirectly, of anything of value in order to improperly influence the actions of another party. Example: Payment by a bidder in exchange for the award of an IFAD-financed contract.
- Fraudulent practice: any act or omission, including a misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party in order to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation. Example: Submission of false information in a bid to obtain an IFAD-financed contract.
- Collusive practice: an arrangement between two or more parties designed to achieve an improper purpose, including improperly influencing the actions of another party. Example: Agreement between a contractor and a subcontractor to submit fake invoices.
- Coercive practice: impairing or harming, or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or the property of the party in order to improperly influence the actions of that or another party. Example: Physically or verbally threatening an individual so they do not submit a bid for an IFAD-financed contract.
- Obstructive practice: (i) deliberately destroying, falsifying, altering or concealing evidence that may be material to an IFAD investigation or making false statements to investigators in order to materially impede an IFAD investigation; (ii) threatening, harassing or intimidating any party to prevent that party from disclosing its knowledge of matters relevant to an IFAD investigation or from pursuing such an investigation; and/or (iii) the commission of any act intended to materially impede the exercise of IFAD’s contractual rights of audit, inspection and access to information. Example: Threats against an individual who has participated in an IFAD investigation as a witness.
These practices are prohibited for external parties, as well as internal IFAD staff and consultants. Additionally, IFAD staff and consultants are required to adhere to the standards of behaviour prescribed by IFAD’s Code of Conduct. This includes provisions relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
IFAD’s legal framework requires staff, consultants and project parties to promptly notify IFAD of any allegations of fraud or corruption.
IFAD's Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO) will investigate allegations to gather all relevant evidence and determine the facts, so that IFAD can take appropriate action.
If you suspect misconduct or wrongdoing, please contact the following secure and confidential channels managed by AUO's Investigation Section:
- Mailbox: [email protected]
- Direct Helpline: +39 06 5459 2888
- Anonymous complaints form
Please provide as much information as possible, including who, what, when and where. You may report allegations anonymously. However, we encourage you to provide your contact details in case we need more information.
If you choose to remain anonymous or provide insufficient information, note that AUO may not be able to take appropriate action.
Please be assured that the information you provide will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
IFAD takes measures to prevent retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports suspected fraud, corruption or misconduct, or who has otherwise cooperated with an investigation. It is important to state, however, that IFAD’s ability to guarantee personal or professional security for persons other than IFAD staff is limited. (For IFAD staff, please see the IFAD's Whistleblower Protection Procedures). The best protection is to be as discreet as possible about making a complaint.
If an allegation is malicious, IFAD may take appropriate action to prevent reputational damage to those subject to deliberately false allegations.
AUO maintains strict confidentiality related to allegations. This means that, if requested, the complainant’s identity will remain known only to the AUO Investigation Section, even if the investigation later proves that the complainant was mistaken, provided the person making the complaint did so in good faith.
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