governance, peace & security

Stability, good governance and the rule of law is the foundation for the development of prosperous, inclusive and sustainable communities.

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We use an integrated governance approach and follow a comprehensive capacity development process to support governance and public sector reform based on: inclusion and participation of people and service delivery; equity, equality and non-discrimination for all; transparency of processes and accountability towards people; efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector to fulfill its responsibilities; and capacity and responsiveness to the needs of the population.

Alinea has been providing support to peace and security operations in fragile and conflict-affected states for more than two decades. We have been involved in stabilization efforts in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia in countries seeking sustained levels of peace and security. We have assisted in the transition to democracy by working with groups on reconciliation and helping communities develop through effective collaboration and stronger participation in law-making, development planning, as well as the advancement and inclusion of women.

Alinea works to promote the rule of law and improve access to justice. We provide advice and support to government partners, such as justice ministries and the judiciary; lead multi-stakeholder public policy dialogues; and create opportunities for information sharing about best practices and similar reform experiences around the world. We engage technical experts to assist in developing policies, related legal and regulatory frameworks and training to support reforms in accordance with international legal and human rights standards.

We are strong advocates in combating violence and promoting equal access to justice, information and other fundamental freedoms for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

UKRAINE: Support to Ukraine’s Reform for Governance Project (Global Affairs Canada)

Alinea’s Support to Ukraine’s Reform for Governance (SURGe) Project is supporting the Government of Ukraine (GoU) to deliver governance and economic reforms that better respond to the needs of its citizens, particularly women and girls. The project builds on previous investments made by Canada, including the Expert Deployment for Governance and Economic Growth (EDGE) Project implemented by Alinea to strengthen the GoU’s reform management functions. SURGe focuses on qualitative aspects of reform management by introducing and supporting the integration of citizen’s needs and requirements into planning and implementation processes to ensure that the different needs, interests and constraints of women/girls and men/boys are considered. Under SURGe, Alinea works with the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers to strengthen its role as the country’s national reform agenda owner, building its capacity to guide, coordinate and direct government institutions as they work together on their respective reforms. Alinea is also building the capacity of key ministries, departments and agencies to plan and implement reforms through results based management (RBM) and gender-based analysis (GBA+) as process models to analyze, design and implement individual reform initiatives.

MONGOLIA: Strengthening Extractive Sector Management in Mongolia (Global Affairs Canada)

Through the Strengthening Extractive Sector Management in Mongolia (SESMIM) Project, Alinea will build the capacity of the Mongolian government for transparent and effective policy implementation supporting sustainable growth in the country’s extractive sector. Alinea will work hand-in-hand with the government of Mongolia and other key stakeholders to improve policy and regulatory frameworks, including increased capacity for policy development, improved implementation and coordination of policies and regulations between ministries and key industry stakeholders, and stronger, evidence-based decision making in extractive sector management that is gender sensitive and socially and environmentally sustainable. Additionally, public awareness and education programs involving hundreds of industry and civil society organizations will enhance understanding and social licence for the sector, while evidence-based pilot programs in monitoring and reporting will be carried out in rural mining communities, engaging populations of about 8,000 people in total, including women and youth. To achieve this capacity building program, Alinea will work directly with the Mongolian Ministry of Mining, Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism the and the Ministry of Finance, with additional input from the Government of Alberta, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and other service providers.

SOUTH SUDAN: Community Stabilization and Peace through Capacity Building (Global Affairs Canada)

In the South Sudanese counties of Pibor and Uror in Jonglei State, persistent communal and ethnic violence threaten peace and security. In response to this crisis, Alinea implemented the GAC-funded, Community Stabilization and Peace through Capacity Building project in order to enhance security and peaceful relations among community members and leaders by providing training for citizens on skills to heal trauma and reconcile conflict. Working with The Resource Centre for Civil Leadership (RECONCILE), the project organized capacity development activities in basic trauma healing, conflict reconciliation, community stabilization and the development of educational materials on conflict prevention. The diverse range of participants included community members, government administrators, police, chiefs, and headmen/headwomen. The project’s innovative use of broad-reaching educational materials and exchange visits led to improved dialogue, healing and mutual understanding.

SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION: Civil Society Scoping Study (The Asia Foundation & DFAT Australia)

Alinea was a principal researcher for the Civil Society Scoping Study led by The Asia Foundation. The aim of the seven country Civil Society Scoping Study was to refresh and update our understanding of civil society’s role in governance in Southeast Asia from both national and regional perspectives. The study aimed to identify key trends in the ways in which civil society is changing in each context, including through the use of social media and ways in which digital technology impacts on collective action. Finally, the study aimed to discern the areas in which civil society participate in regional (or global) networks and to what end. The first iteration of the resulting research papers will be internal to DFAT. With DFAT’s agreement, a second iteration of the research papers – and full research project – will be made public by TAF and the findings will be presented at Australian and international democracy and development conferences.

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alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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