Conflict of Interest

When on CESO assignments, Volunteer Advisers (VAs) are expected to devote their working time and energies to their assigned assignment. They will not perform service for others, nor acquire or maintain financial interest in, or become a competitor of, the client (assisted enterprise).

Recommendations made by the VAs to an assisted enterprise, with respect to such matters as the purchase of equipment or other assets or the employment of the services of others, must be based upon the needs of the assisted enterprise and not upon any personal interest of the VA.

CESO encourages linkages with Canadian business provided they are in the best interests of the client. If the assisted enterprise wishes to enter into a contract for the purchase of equipment or other assets or the employment of services with a Canadian counterpart, the VA will inform the CESO Evaluations Unit to allow CESO to maintain a record of possible trade. Should the linkage involve a company in which the VA has an interest, this should be declared to CESO before an agreement with the client is reached. This is requested in order to maintain transparency and protect the VA.