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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A new program is getting underway to support adolescent health in the Eastern Caribbean: Reproductive Education and Adolescent Community Health – or REACH – funded by Global Affairs Canada.

The REACH Project team will work to increase access, demand, and quality of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. As this project prepares to launch, there is an opportunity for Canadian volunteers to participate in part-time remote roles. REACH volunteers will enhance their skills and knowledge in a relevant discipline, engage with peers in an intern network, receive remote mentorship, and build professional connections – see a complete list and profile of the positions below.

Applications will be accepted throughout May 2025. Interested candidates should send a brief résumé and cover letter sharing their availability to Heather MacIntosh, Project Director at Alinea International: heatherm@alineainternational.com

Volunteer Positions

Program Planning

Global Project Planning Officer

Responsibilities: Drafting work plans, preparing GANTT charts, setting up report templates, and writing background sections.

Experience: Studies in international relations, global development, business, public administration, or project management; experience in planning and an interest in global health and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Time commitment: May to August, approximately 35 hours total

Global Health Program Analyst

Responsibilities: Conducting grey literature reviews, compiling and comparing regional adolescent health training packages, and performing pros & cons analyses.

Experience: Studies in public health (MPH), public administration (MPA/MPP), international programs (MA), health sciences (BHSc), or social work (MSW); knowledge of adolescent health and sexual and gender-based violence is an asset.

Time commitment: May to August, approximately 70 hours total

International Event Planner

Responsibilities: Co-planning the launch event with the program, venue arrangements, meals, invites, and protocol.

Experience: Any post-secondary program (e.g. Arts, Business Administration, etc.); experience in event planning with a proven track record; communications is an asset.

Time commitment: August, approximately 35 hours total

Activity Budget Officer

Responsibilities: Co-developing activity budgets and cross-checking standardized costs (e.g. travel).

Experience: Studies in business, economics, or global development; experience with spreadsheet formulas is required; experience with linked budget sheets is an asset.

Time commitment: April to August, approximately 35 hours total

Communications Coordinator

Responsibilities: Setting up project social media, coordinating youth contests and collages, and developing best practices guides for sensitive terminology.

Experience: Studies in journalism, communications, graphic communications, or public affairs.

Time commitment: May to August, approximately 20-30 hours total

Research and Baseline Survey

Global Health Infographics Assistant

Responsibilities: Preparing infographics, charts, and tables from data.

Experience: Studies in health sciences, statistics, business, or related fields with experience in data display; experience using Piktochart or similar, data presentation, and graphics.

Time commitment: July to August, approximately 20-25 hours total

Baseline Quantitative Analyst

Responsibilities: Developing survey tools, analyzing health system data for baseline survey.

Experience: Master or PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, or similar; experience in health research, ethics certification.

Time commitment: May to August, approximately 60 hours or less

Global Health GIS Mapping Officer

Responsibilities: GPS data to map clinics on four islands and detailing health services.

Experience: GIS program or similar, with experience in mapping.

Time commitment: June to September, approximately 45 hours

Alinea will deliver this project in collaboration with the Caribbean Training & Education Center for Health (C-TECH) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission.