Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Why a Policy?

Key Aid’s Gender, Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) policy serves several purposes:

1. Enhances Innovation and Creativity: In Key Aid we believe that diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives and ideas. Such variety leads to better understanding of our clients, contributes to more innovative responses to consultancy projects and facilitates improved problem-solving, hence better quality for those we serve: crisis affected households.
2. Improves Decision-Making: Key Aid builds an inclusive environment that encourages open dialogue and considers different viewpoints, leading to more informed and balanced decisions.
3. Supports our team to grow and strive: Key Aid’s commitment to GDI, makes it a better, safer place to work, promotes fairness and equality, which is more likely to attract and retain talent.
4. Meet and exceed our legal obligations: Key Aid is bound by French law, specifically Article L.1132-1 of the French Labor Code, Genisson Law (May 9th 2001) and complementary law of March 23rd 2006. Our GDI policy helps ensure compliance with these legal requirements.

Key Commitments

Non discrimination: At Key Aid, we do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender or sexual orientation.

Equitable opportunities: We ensure equitable opportunities at every stage of recruitment, training, and professional advancement.

Value diversity: we promote a professional environment that values diversity and respects the singularity of each individual, irrespective of cultural or social background.

Hold ourselves accountable: we establish rigorous measures to prevent and address all forms of discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence.

All staff have a duty to act in accordance with this policy and treat colleagues but also crisis affected-households, participants to Key Aid’s evaluations or training, clients, customers, suppliers and former staff members with dignity. They also have a duty to not discriminate against or harass other individuals, regardless of their status. Breaches of our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Policy will be regarded as misconduct and could result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal.

Key Actions

Our working environment promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated. We take the following key actions to ensure adherence to our key commitments:

Impartial recruitment: Our recruitment, training, and promotion processes are free from any form of discrimination. Recruitment is conducted on the basis of impartiality and fairness. Job advertisements avoid stereotyping or using wording that may discourage groups with a particular protected characteristic from applying. We take steps to ensure that our vacancies are advertised to a diverse labour market.

We are required by law to ensure that all employees are entitled to work in France. Assumptions about immigration status will not be made based on appearance or apparent nationality. All prospective employees, regardless of nationality, will be able to produce original documents (such as a passport or work permits) before employment starts, to satisfy current immigration legislation.

Fair working conditions for all employees: We are committed to providing fair and equitable working conditions for all employees. This includes access to the same opportunities for career development, training, and professional growth.

Equitable remuneration for equivalent roles: Our entry salaries offer equal pay for equal work and equitable compensation based on the job’s responsibilities, qualifications, experience, and performance. Salaries are then decided in a participatory manner at the start of each year.

Work-life balance and flexibility: Our working arrangements are flexible and include remote work opportunities, flexible schedules, and extended leave, ensuring that all team members can maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Combating stereotypes and promoting inclusive language: We actively work to eliminate stereotypes and promote inclusive language within the workplace.

Supplier Diversity: We actively seek diverse suppliers and contractors to promote economic inclusion and support businesses owned by underrepresented groups. We partner with firms or academia in the countries in which we work to ensure our work is as locally driven as possible.

Confidential Reporting Mechanisms: All employees can report harassment, violence, or discrimination without fear of retaliation, via email at: safe@keyaidconsulting.com. If the concern is about Key Aid President, Helene Juillard, then the email can be sent to clement.charlot@keyaidconsulting.com.

Glossary of Terms

Discrimination: Discrimination in an organizational context refers to negative behaviours and unfair practices in recruitment, promotion, or remuneration that disproportionately disadvantage certain groups based on their social identity. It is often driven by prejudices and stereotypes, leading to systemic barriers and unequal opportunities.

Diversity: Diversity is understood as the coexistence of various identities and experiences within a shared space, influencing interactions and the construction of social identities.

Gender: Gender is a social construct that defines and shapes identities of masculinity and femininity across historical and cultural contexts. It is not a fixed trait but is produced through social practices, power dynamics, and institutional structures. Gender influences how individuals experience and perform their identities, reinforcing or challenging societal norms and hierarchies.

Harassment: Harassment is characterized by a series of intentional actions that cause psychological and emotional distress to the victim, affecting their well-being and performance in a given environment (workplace, school, public space).

Inclusion: Inclusion refers to a process through which a society seeks to integrate all individuals, regardless of their differences (origin, gender, disability, etc.), by guaranteeing them equal rights and equitable access to resources and opportunities.