Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We strive to act ethically and with integrity in all of our activities and relationships to make sure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in the CIJ or in any of our supply chains. We will also make sure our approach is clear with our partner organisations.
We believe that a modern slavery statement is an important part of our approach to implementing our ethical policy. We have opted to adopt a statement which we will update and publish annually on our website, although we are not required to have such a statement under current regulations.
This policy covers all the activities of the CIJ. It governs all our business dealings and the conduct of all persons or organisations with whom we contract directly or who we appoint to act on our behalf. We expect all who have, or seek to have, a business relationship with the CIJ to familiarise themselves with our anti-slavery policy and to act at all times in a way which is consistent with our anti-slavery policy.
Organisation structure and supply chain
We are governed by our articles of association and a board of trustees who volunteer their time to help direct our work. They oversee our chief executive who manages our circa 7 staff.
The CIJ uses a number of suppliers, contractors and partners to enable it to carry out its core training activities and funded initiatives.
The CIJ carries out employment checks, including making sure that our people have the right to work for us and we pay at least the Living Wage.
The organisation is increasingly global and currently has funders, clients, partners and contractors based in the following countries: UK, Denmark, USA, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Cambodia, The Philippines. However, operations and core training provision are predominantly conducted in the United Kingdom.
Responsibility for the organisation’s anti-slavery initiatives is as follows:
Due diligence: Our leadership team and Programme Managers are responsible for due diligence in relation to known or suspected instances of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Training: To ensure a good understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains, the CIJ requires all staff to familiarise themselves with our policies and complete appropriate E Learning modules provided by our host, Goldsmiths, University of London.
Policies: The CIJ is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our business or our supply chains. This Statement affirms its intention to act ethically in our business relationships. CIJ’s Operations Manager is responsible for creating and reviewing policies. The process by which policies are developed is by looking at current best practice, taking advice from our trustees as appropriate and adapting to the needs of the organisation.
The following policies and terms of business set down our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations:
- Whistleblowing policy & Grievance Procedure – the Organisation encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to its direct activities or its supply chains.
- Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy – This policy sets down the actions and behaviours expected of employees when representing and working within the organisation.
- Safeguarding Adults Policy – The CIJ provides a range of educational services focused on investigative journalism and research. This work involves interactions with adults who may have care and support needs. These interactions occur between the organisation (and those who represent it) and people who participate in its educational programmes. This policy benefits the organisation and those it interacts with by specifying the conduct and behaviour expected of its representatives by the organisation, and ensuring that the rights and dignity of those with such needs are respected and protected at all times.
Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking
We undertake due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly review our existing suppliers. Non-compliance by one of our existing suppliers, partners or contractors to our anti-slavery policy will result in immediate termination of contract.
We update our staff on our new policies and procedures.
We will review our related policies and documents to make sure these demonstrate the robustness of our approach to removing the risk of modern slavery from our supply chain.
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. The Senior Management Team endorses this policy statement and is fully committed to its implementation.
Approved by the board of trustees on 11/10/2023
Last update: 11/10/2023