BUSINESS ETHICS
1. Core Ethical Principles
Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. is founded on a strong ethical framework that guides every aspect of our work—strategic, operational, and interpersonal. The following core values are not aspirational ideals; they are binding expectations for all team members and representatives of the firm:
Honesty: We speak truthfully and act with sincerity, even when facing pressure or ambiguity. Integrity of language and action is non-negotiable.
Integrity: We uphold our moral and professional commitments consistently, regardless of external demands or informal practices.
Transparency: We operate with openness, ensuring our decisions, communications, and reporting are clear, accessible, and grounded in fact.
Accountability: We take full responsibility for our decisions, conduct, and outcomes—without evasion, blame-shifting, or concealment.
Respect: We treat every individual, institution, and culture with dignity, regardless of background, position, or worldview.
Equity: We promote fair access to opportunities and resources, with particular attention to marginalized or underrepresented groups.
Impartiality: We maintain neutrality in our analysis, communication, and decisions, resisting bias, favoritism, and undue influence.
Responsibility: We recognize the wider legal, social, and economic impacts of our work and act with foresight, empathy, and discipline.
These principles apply across all contexts whether in client meetings, internal discussions, virtual collaborations, or public engagements. They govern how we interact with clients, beneficiaries, suppliers, partners, and government officials alike.
All Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. personnel are expected to embody these standards. Failure to do so not only compromises individual credibility, but weakens the trust, integrity, and impact of the firm as a whole. Accordingly, these ethical commitments are enforced through ongoing training, clear performance expectations, and—where necessary—corrective action or disciplinary measures.
Our reputation, mission, and long-term value are built on this shared ethical foundation. It is both a condition of affiliation and a compass for responsible global engagement.
2. Professional Conduct and Appearance
All consultants representing Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct and appearance at all times. This includes upholding behaviors and visual presentation that reflect respect, discipline, and alignment with both client expectations and local cultural norms.
Formal business attire is mandatory for all client-facing and official engagements. Men must wear suits with dress shirts, ties, and formal leather shoes. Women are expected to wear tailored suits, skirts or pants with coordinating jackets, and closed-toe low-heeled professional footwear. Preferred colors such as gray and navy convey neutrality and professionalism across diverse environments. Outfits must also respect the religious and traditional customs of host countries, particularly during field missions or when working in government settings.
During assignments, consultants are expected to maintain a courteous, composed demeanor. Casual joking, gossip, or discussion of personal topics—including past client engagements or internal matters—is strictly prohibited. Such behavior risks breaching confidentiality or diminishing the firm’s credibility.
Mobile phones, laptops, and tablets must be used solely for note-taking or work-related tasks during meetings. Personal calls, messaging, web browsing, or unrelated digital activity are not permitted during client hours. Additionally, only official Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. email addresses, digital tools, and business cards may be used for professional correspondence.
Consistent adherence to these standards reinforces the company’s integrity, demonstrates respect for our clients and their cultures, and strengthens our professional reputation across all engagements.
3. Respect for Clients, Partners, and Stakeholders
Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. upholds a strict commitment to treating all clients, institutional partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries with dignity, fairness, and cultural sensitivity—irrespective of political context, religious affiliation, governance structure, or socioeconomic model. This principle is foundational to our role as an international development consulting firm operating across diverse institutional environments.
In every engagement, we respect the sovereignty, traditions, and regulatory frameworks of the countries and organizations we serve. We do not impose unsolicited opinions, political ideologies, or external value systems. Our role is to provide evidence-based solutions that strengthen institutions, enhance policy frameworks, and promote sustainable development—not to critique political leadership or comment on domestic systems.
All analysis, findings, and recommendations must be grounded in verified data, objective indicators, and methodologies explicitly aligned with the client’s scope of work. Staff are strictly prohibited from expressing personal or negative commentary—verbally, in writing, or through digital communication—regarding a client’s political leadership, cultural identity, or institutional configuration. This includes private conversations with third parties during or after the assignment.
Consultants must ensure that all communication—oral, written, digital, and visual—is factual, respectful, and suited to the client’s technical, cultural, and decision-making context. Language must remain neutral and non-partisan, and all outputs should reflect our commitment to technical excellence, cross-cultural respect, and constructive engagement.
This obligation is not limited to formal deliverables; it extends to field visits, interviews, training sessions, stakeholder meetings, and internal correspondence. Violations may result in disciplinary action or termination of contract, particularly where reputational harm, breach of neutrality, or client dissatisfaction occurs.
4. Professional Competence and Knowledge Ethics
Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. upholds the principle that professional excellence and intellectual integrity are foundational to our service delivery. All consultants, subcontractors, and affiliated experts are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional competence and subject-matter authority.
This obligation includes staying up to date with industry developments, regulatory changes, and methodological innovations relevant to their area of expertise. Team members are encouraged to pursue continuous learning through self-directed study, professional development, and participation in relevant communities of practice. However, such activities are not billable unless they are explicitly required under a client contract or directly contribute to the delivery of agreed project outputs.
It is strictly forbidden to exaggerate, fabricate, or misrepresent any aspect of a client’s credentials, strategic position, institutional performance, or impact record in communication with donors, stakeholders, or the public. All information presented on behalf of clients whether in reports, proposals, presentations, or communications must be factually accurate, appropriately sourced, and contextually transparent.
Misrepresentation or omission of key facts not only jeopardizes our firm's credibility but may also constitute a breach of donor policy, contractual obligations, or legal compliance frameworks. Adherence to intellectual honesty is therefore non-negotiable and directly tied to our ability to maintain trust, deliver quality, and preserve the integrity of international consulting engagements.
5. Working Hours and Time Commitments
All personnel engaged by Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. operate as independent consultants or subcontractors under project-based agreements. These roles primarily support international assignments within the MENA region and are governed by the terms of each specific contract.
The standard working day is defined as eight (8) hours. Unless otherwise approved in writing, a minimum of six (6) hours must be performed physically at the client site. The remaining hours may be allocated to remote tasks, including reporting, deliverable development, or client communication. Any deviation from this schedule must be formally authorized by the project manager or client representative.
Consultants are required to record and report their time accurately, based on tangible outputs and agreed deliverables not passive availability or arbitrary time logs. Activities such as reading, academic research, or personal development are not billable unless they are explicitly included in the client-approved scope of work.
Given the international nature of our consulting practice, consultants may occasionally be required to participate in early morning, evening, or weekend virtual meetings—particularly when coordinating with global clients or partners in different time zones.
All team members must strictly adhere to the terms of their contracts, applicable client protocols, and the professional standards outlined in this policy. Misreporting of time, failure to meet the expected hours, or non-performance may be treated as a contractual violation, subject to disciplinary action, and could result in termination under U.S. contract law and relevant commercial codes in applicable jurisdictions.
6. Travel and Expense Responsibility
For all international assignments, Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. requires that travel, accommodation, and field-related expenses be covered by the client in accordance with prior written agreement. This policy ensures professional readiness, cost transparency, and consistent standards across all project locations.
Approved travel and logistics arrangements must include: Airfare: Business class for flights exceeding five (5) hours, ensuring consultant well-being and productivity. Accommodation: Lodging in reputable four- or five-star hotels, with a cost ceiling of USD $250 per night, unless otherwise agreed based on destination availability. Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance covering health, safety, and loss/theft risks for the full duration of the assignment. Daily Per Diem: A standard rate of USD $100 per consultant to cover meals, local transportation, and incidental expenses during fieldwork.
Ground Transportation: Taxis or ride-hailing services such as Uber or Careem are permitted. Luxury vehicles, private drivers, or non-standard transport must be pre-approved in writing by Innovation Solutions MENA Inc.
All costs must either be pre-paid directly by the client or reimbursed to Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. within five (5) business days upon submission of supporting receipts and documentation. Delays in reimbursement may result in service suspension or project rescheduling.
Transparent and timely management of travel and operational costs is critical to effective service delivery, legal compliance, and mutual accountability.
7. Sustainable Profitability and Value Creation
Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. is committed to delivering high-impact consulting services that generate measurable value while upholding responsible, transparent, and ethical financial practices. Our pricing model reflects a balanced approach that ensures fair compensation for consultants, operational sustainability for the firm, and cost-effectiveness for clients and donors.
Each project budget is constructed around clear components: Professional Service Fees: Based on agreed daily rates for technical and managerial staff. Operational Overhead: A standard 20% allocation covering project management, tools, communication, and administrative support. Contingency: A 10% buffer to address unforeseen needs or client-approved adjustments during execution. Net Profit: Capped at a maximum of 20%–30%, and under no circumstances exceeding 50% of the total project value.
This model discourages opportunistic or inflated pricing and aligns our financial strategy with the principles of equitable development and long-term client trust.
Variations in pricing due to project complexity, geopolitical risk, or field deployment must be justified, documented, and approved internally. Transparent pricing strengthens our credibility with donors, safeguards procurement integrity, and reinforces our commitment to performance-based value creation.
By linking profitability to impact and reinvesting in quality, innovation, and human capital, Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. ensures continued relevance and leadership in the international consulting and development arena.
8. NON-SOLICITATION AND POST-ENGAGEMENT HIRING RESTRICTIONS
To protect the integrity of our consulting model, intellectual capital, and client-specific knowledge, Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. strictly prohibits all clients—including their subsidiaries, affiliates, or related entities—from directly hiring, employing, or contracting any current or former team member, consultant, subcontractor, or their immediate relatives within three (3) years following the completion of a project.
However, in specific cases where a team member is not involved in an active project, and there is no conflict of interest, Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. may approve the hiring of an employee, consultant, or subcontractor by a client or donor. In such cases, the following conditions apply: Prior Notification and Approval: Any hiring request must be submitted to Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. for review and approval before proceeding. The company will assess whether the hiring is not related to any existing project or client and ensures there is no conflict of interest, legal, or ethical issues associated with the hire.
Direct Project Engagement Prohibition: Team members who have worked on a project are prohibited from being hired by the client or donor as part of the same project team. This restriction ensures the integrity of the project and prevents any conflicts of interest or undue influence.
Recommendation Letters: Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. will provide positive recommendation letters to employees or consultants upon their departure or consideration for a new role, provided that the information is truthful, accurate, and based on their professional performance with the company. We do not provide false or misleading information in these letters.
Confidential Information and Non-Disclosure: If a former team member is hired by a competitor, they are legally prohibited from disclosing any confidential information or materials obtained during their engagement with Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. This includes, but is not limited to, client data, project details, business strategies, proprietary methodologies, pricing models, or any other intellectual property belonging to the company. Violating this non-disclosure obligation may result in legal action.
This restriction applies regardless of: Whether the role is publicly advertised or secured through competitive recruitment; Whether the individual remains engaged with Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. or has concluded their assignment; Whether the hiring occurs directly or via an intermediary or third-party firm.
This clause is legally supported by the following frameworks: Florida Statutes §542.335: Affirms the enforceability of reasonable non-solicitation agreements protecting legitimate business interests; U.S. Common Law principles: Upholds such provisions in service contracts and consulting agreements; Canadian contract law: Relevant court decisions recognize non-solicitation clauses that are clear, reasonable in time, and designed to protect proprietary relationships and confidential knowledge; Civil codes and commercial laws: Applicable across the MENA region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, where contractual restrictions are enforceable when linked to business protection and not employee restraint.
Any violation of this clause will trigger Legal action to address the breach, including recovery of costs and damages, with the legal expenses covered by the team member involved.
If one of your team members chooses to work independently with a client that Innovation Solutions MENA Inc. has rejected (either directly or indirectly), and the work is done independently without involving the company’s name or resources, the situation can generally be fine under certain conditions. However, there are some important considerations to protect both the company’s interests and the individual’s actions
This clause ensures continuity, fairness, and ethical protection for our business operations and long-term client partnerships, while safeguarding confidential information from being disclosed to competitors.