At the Collective Empowerment Foundation (CEF), our work takes us to some of the most remote and complex environments in the world. Whether we are managing a maternal waiting house in Kiunga or conducting economic research in Bougainville, our most valuable asset is the trust of the communities we serve and the partners who fund us.
To safeguard this trust, CEF operates under a rigorous Conflict of Interest Policy. This policy ensures that every decision made by our team—from the Board of Directors to our volunteers on the ground—is motivated solely by our mission to empower communities, free from the influence of personal gain.
What is a Conflict of Interest?
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests (or those of their family, friends, or other associated organisations) could potentially interfere with their duty to act in the best interests of CEF.
In a social enterprise model where we trade services and manage significant government and private contracts, identifying these overlaps is critical. It isn’t just about actual conflicts; we are equally committed to managing potential or perceived conflicts to ensure absolute transparency.
Our Strategy: Identify, Disclose, and Manage
Our policy follows a clear, three-step framework to maintain ethical integrity across all levels of the organisation:
- Mandatory Disclosure: All board members and senior leadership have a continuous obligation to disclose any interests that could be perceived as a conflict. This is not a one-time event; it is a permanent feature of our governance.
- The Register of Interests: CEF maintains a formal Register of Interests. This document is a living record that tracks all disclosed interests, ensuring that the Board is fully informed when making strategic or financial decisions.
- Active Management & Recusal: When a conflict is identified, the affected individual is removed from the decision-making process. They do not participate in discussions, nor do they vote on the matter. This “arm’s length” approach ensures that CEF’s resources are always used for maximum social impact.
Accountability and Breaches
We take our ethical obligations seriously. Our policy outlines clear consequences for failing to disclose a conflict, ranging from formal warnings and mandatory training to removal from the organisation or referral to regulatory authorities if fraudulent behaviour is suspected.
By enforcing these standards, we protect the reputation of CEF and ensure that our “infrastructure-led” change is delivered fairly and equitably.
A Commitment to Our Stakeholders
For our government partners in Western Province and Bougainville, and the private corporations that contract our programs, this policy is a guarantee of our professionalism. As a service provider, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of commercial governance, ensuring that every project is delivered with the integrity that remote communities deserve.
Read the full CEF conflict of interests policy below:
