In situations of violent conflict, the implementation strategy of the project may inadvertently pose a serious threat to the safety of staff, beneficiaries and partners. Different approaches are usually adopted with the objective of ensuring their safety:

• contingency planning must contain security procedures. These should be defined in the planning phase (see Chapter 3 Module 1) and contain pre-determined plans of action. The monitoring process should feed into this

• codes of conduct and guidelines, such as Amnesty International’s, can incorporate security procedures (see Box 5)

• staff safety can be increased and control systems implemented through the use of specialised advisers (for example the network of security consultants operated by the UN security office, UNSECOORD). Many publications focus on these increased staff safety and control systems, such as Save the Children’s “Safety First” guidelines¹

• staff negotiating and analytical skills can usually be improved through training

• an image of transparency and impartiality can be cultivated by encouraging open communication and participation and avoiding any threatening conduct.