Conflict of interest policy

What counts as a conflict

A conflict of interest exists where a person's private interest could reasonably be seen to influence a decision they take, or contribute to, on behalf of Navantara. A conflict is not misconduct. Failing to disclose one is.

• Holding a financial interest in a vendor, contractor, or partner organisation under consideration.
• A relative or close associate applying for a role, contract, or program place.
• Holding a position in another organisation that competes for the same funding or partners.
• Accepting a gift, fee, or benefit from a party with an interest in a decision.

Who it applies to

Board members, advisors, staff, and volunteers who participate in decisions about spending, hiring, procurement, partnerships, or program placement.

Disclosure

• Board members and staff in decision-making roles complete a written declaration of interests on joining, and annually thereafter.
• Any new conflict is declared as soon as it becomes apparent, and before the relevant decision is taken.
• Declarations are held by the Executive Director and available to the Board and to our auditors.

Managing a declared conflict

• The person withdraws from the discussion and the decision, and does not vote on it.
• The conflict, and the fact of the recusal, is recorded in the minutes.
• Where the conflict is significant and ongoing, the Board may remove the person from the area of responsibility entirely.
• Related-party transactions are disclosed in our annual financial statements.

Failure to disclose

Deliberate non-disclosure is treated as a breach of our Ethics & Anti-Corruption Policy policy and may result in removal from the Board, termination of employment, and recovery of any resulting loss.

Write to donate@navantara.org or call +91 915 420 3796. Postal queries may be sent to Navantara AI Learning Foundation, Bollileni Bion, Kothaguda, Opposite Botanical Garden, Serilingampally, Kondapur, K.V. Rangareddy - 500084, Telangana.