Improper conduct (such as sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, corruption, etc.) are forms of unprofessional and unethical behavior that fall short of expected standards, especially within the workplace. There are increasing allegations of improper conduct, including sexual harassment and bullying within the CSO sector affecting both the legitimacy and credibility of organizations and also the individuals working there.

The highest standards of conduct, competence, and performance are expected of all CSO staff members and external actors in order to reflect the CSO sector’s ethical principles. All staff and contractual members have a responsibility to contribute to the goals of the CSO sector and to ensure that their conduct is consistent with the standards of conduct established for CSO members.

This course is FREE and designed to be relevant for all Civil Society Organisations (CSO) personnel. This includes internal colleagues and external actors.

Completion of this course may become a mandatory requirement by specific grant-making organizations/foundations for their civil society beneficiaries to ensure its utilization.

The main objective of this course is to increase awareness on actions that constitute improper conduct as well as formalize mechanisms to investigate and address misconduct where instances arise.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define the international standards of conduct on sexual harassment and improper conduct and understand your obligations as a member of a CSO, FBO or NGO
• Explain what you can do to prevent improper conduct, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of the vulnerable, displaced, and conflict-affected populations
• Describe how to report improper conduct, sexual harassment and improper conduct
• Understand the consequences of such abuses

• Describe what trustees, directors, managers, and supervisors must do to enforce the standards of proper conduct.

This course is mandatory for all CSO and Programme/Project personnel including volunteers and contractors. It is for both CSO internal colleagues and external actors – which include project beneficiaries, donors, and project partners. All staff members are required to complete the course as part of their induction.

It should take you about 90 minutes to complete this self-paced course.

The lessons contain a mix of presentations, questions, examples, exercises, practice, and scenarios designed to help you apply acquired knowledge. Lessons also provide awareness of the United Nations’ global standards. The course ends with a summary and a post-course assessment.  

This course is divided into 5 modules with a pre-course assessment before the start of the modules, and a post-course assessment at the end of the modules.

• Pre-course Assessment
• Module 1: Exploitation and Corruption
• Module 2: Sexual Harassment

1. 1. Sexual Harassment
   2. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

• Module 3: Harassment, Bullying and Intimidation

1. 1. Harassment
   2. Bullying & Intimidation

• Module 4: Discrimination & Victimization
• Module 5: Responding to Harassment Incidents
• Post-course Assessment

A Certificate of Achievement will be issued to individuals who take this course. However, to receive a Certificate, you must score at least 60% of the possible points on all your quizzes. You can download and print your certificate upon successful completion of the course and proudly upload it to your online profile or frame it in your workspace.