Ethical Research and Partnerships Policy
Pivot Global Education Consulting Group is an international consultancy committed to delivering high-quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) services that support innovation and education as pathways to sustainable capacity building. Operating across the globe, we work with a diverse range of stakeholders—including governments, NGOs, academic institutions, and multilateral organisations.
This policy outlines our ethical approach to research and partnerships, guiding how we engage with communities, partners, and data to ensure our work is respectful, responsible, and impactful.
“Ethics is a code of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the purpose and course of our lives.”
1. Principles of Ethical Research
Our research and evaluation practices are guided by the following core principles:
Respect for Persons: We uphold the dignity, rights, and autonomy of all individuals. Informed consent is a non-negotiable component of our data collection processes.
Do No Harm: We prioritise the safety and well-being of all participants, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, youth, and marginalised groups.
Justice and Equity: We strive to ensure fair and inclusive participation in all research activities, avoiding extractive practices.
Cultural Sensitivity: We design and implement research with deep respect for local customs, knowledge systems, and languages.
Transparency and Accountability: We are clear about the purpose, use, and limitations of data and findings, and we communicate openly with our partners and participants.
2. Partnership Standards
We believe that ethical practice begins with how we build relationships. Our partnerships are founded on:
Mutual Respect: We recognise the expertise of local partners and engage them as equals in the co-creation of knowledge.
Capacity Strengthening: We seek to leave behind strengthened local capacity through training, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
Fair Contracting: We use clear, equitable contracts and avoid exploitative subcontracting practices. We pay partners and consultants fairly and on time.
Due Diligence: We undertake appropriate due diligence on all prospective and current third parties, especially where identifiable risks exist. This includes assessing financial, legal, reputational, and human rights-related concerns.
3. Commitment to Compliance and Human Rights
We are committed to compliance with all applicable UK and international laws, including:
The UK Modern Slavery Act (2015)
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation
Child protection and safeguarding standards
We include template clauses in contracts requiring partners and suppliers to acknowledge and adhere to anti-slavery and human trafficking legislation. In higher-risk settings, we seek explicit contractual assurances of compliance with these standards.
4. Safeguarding and Data Ethics
All staff and partners are trained in safeguarding and required to report any concerns through our formal mechanisms.
We protect personal data using encrypted systems and follow strict protocols to ensure data privacy, ownership, and secure storage.
Our evaluation designs include ethical approval processes where appropriate and are reviewed to assess and minimise potential risks.
5. Continuous Improvement
We regularly review and adapt our ethical policies to reflect emerging best practices, local insights, and global standards. Feedback from partners and participants is used to improve how we work.