The Conflict of Interest Policy is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and to take necessary measures about this issue among the staff working for the World Academy for Local Government and Democracy (WALD), members and volunteers and persons working for or collaborating with other organizations.

WALD conducts its operations based on different working patterns. WALD, having various working options such as time based; full time, part time, % based time and work based; remote working, working from home, partially working from home, working with time and defined working within the foundation and within the scope of the projects carried out, it makes it possible for some persons of the WALD team to establish business relations with different institutions and organizations.

It is inevitable for people working simultaneously in different organizations to transfer their knowledge, skills, relationship networks and experiences from the organization to the organization.

The WALD Conflict of Interest Policy has been prepared to be aware of also the positive effects of the inevitability of this situation.

WALD Conflict of Interest policy is based on statement and mutual trust.

Purpose:

The purpose of this document is to define the situations that may cause conflicts of interest that may be encountered in the work processes of the people involved in the work and projects or work full time in the scope of WALD studies and to prevent the damage of the persons and the organization in the relevant cases.

Scope:

Conflict of Interest Policy; It includes WALD Board of Directors as well as all members, employees, volunteers, cooperated organizations and co-workers, advisors, tax professionals, jurists, independent experts, and each person authorized to represent on behalf of the WALD.

Definitions:

The situation that occurs when a person from the WALD team is in a position to have a conflict of interest and conflict between the interests of the individual or the interests of the parties to which it is associated and the interests of the WALD, and if it is also a decision-maker or decision-maker in the WALD, this situation occur is a conflict of interest.

It is a conflict of interest that a person from the WALD team can manage or influence the relationship between WALD and a third person or organization in a situation where the third party or organization has a relationship with the owner, partner, manager or relative of the third party.

It is a conflict of interest that a person from the WALD team approves a contract with a third party that may have a material or personal benefit expectation, or that the purchase is in the approval process or is in a supporting position.

It is also a conflict of interest that a person in WALD team working on a time basis works in a time-based or based on non-shift in another organization of similar nature.

It is also a conflict of interest that a person in WALD team working on work basis works in a time-based or based on non-shift in another organization of similar nature.

It is a conflict of interest that a person from the WALD team works concurrently with WALD for business organizations, collaborators, NGOs and public institutions and donors.

It is a conflict of interest that a person from the WALD team or the relevant party benefit from the opportunities created by the use of WALD properties, tools, data and human resources.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The implementation, monitoring and updating of the WALD Conflict of Interest Policy, informing the employees, and the establishment of systems to monitor compliance with this policy are the authorities, duties and responsibilities of the WALD Board of Directors.

The Conflict of Interest Policy is included in the WALD Code of Conduct. It is necessary that every employee, volunteer, service specialist and collaborator must have information about the Conflict of Interest Policy and must sign the Conformance Statement that also includes conflict of interest policy.

Cooperated Institutions and Organizations:

It is evaluated whether there are situations defined in the conflict of interest policy for WALD employees in relations with institutions or organizations that are cooperated or service obtained. If there is a declared situation and this makes it more difficult to work, change related to position of the person cooperated can be made. Each case should be considered in particular.

Policy and Procedures:

Notification-Statement:

When a person starts working at the WALD, he/she is obliged to declare whether he/she works in another institution or organization, whether he/she is a manager in any institution or organization, whether he/she has a profit-making purpose, a commercial structure and a property relationship, partnership or income/profit provider or not.

For this statement he/she is issued a conflict of interest declaration form.

If a person desires to work in another institution or organization while working in WALD, an executive candidate in any profit oriented or non-profit oriented institution or organization, has a relation of ownership, partnership or revenue/profit with a commercial body; he/she is obliged to declare this new situation as well.

The declaration shall ensure that arrangements are made to prevent or minimize the vulnerability of both the individual and the organization.

If it is understood that there is a violation of the declaration in WALD, this situation will be taken seriously and will not compromise on this issue as it will undermine the principle of trust in mutual relations.

Points to consider at application:

• Review any conflicts of interest that may affect the decisions you make or the job suggestions you provide to others.
• Consider how it will be received a decision you make made visible on the front page of a newspaper or on media, social media, etc. If the public thinks that personal reasons are included, this probably means that a conflict of interest arises. Avoid such situations.
• Declare yourself by informing of any situation that you believe your interests conflict with interests of WALD at the earliest opportunity.
• Do not do a second job with any institution or organization in which WALD has a commercial or collaborative relationship, without waiting for WALD Conflict of Interest Notification Form and getting a result, wait for the evaluation result and the relevant decision.
• Do not hire someone without declaring your relationship or cause the related party to be hired, do not direct the person to take decision of hiring with your opinion.
• Do not take another job or assume the responsibility of it that requires part of your time or your interest except for the terms or determined working times specified in your contract with WALD.
• Due to your position at WALD, do not use the job opportunities that you discover for personal gain without declaring the situation.

A written feedback and complaint system has been established for reporting policy violations.

In case of detection and/or notification of policy violations, an investigation board is formed with the initiative of the board of directors, the principles of the investigation process are followed.

Enforcement:

WALD Conflict of Interest Policy; shall enter into force after approval by the Board of Directors of WALD. WALD Board of Directors is the addressee for all kinds of notifications and complaints regarding the issue.