TERMS and CONDITIONS 

All personal information submitted through this application will be treated as strictly confidential and processed solely for the purposes of applicant assessment and participation within the GEC framework. All data will be processed in accordance with relevant policies and procedures of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), with appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to ensure the security, integrity, and confidentiality of such information. Personal data will be processed based on the consent provided upon submission of this and will be retained for the duration of the individual’s active GEC membership and for a period of five (5) years thereafter.

Participation in the GEC is voluntary and undertaken on a pro bono basis. No fees, remuneration, or other forms of financial compensation shall be provided in connection with GEC-related engagements. The Organization has no financial obligation toward any engagement.

Neither inclusion in the GEC roster nor participation in any engagement shall create any right, entitlement, or expectation on the part of the Expert to receive assignments, nor any obligation on the part of the DCO to offer assignments. Conversely, the Expert shall have no obligation to accept any proposed engagement; however, once an engagement is accepted, the Expert shall be committed to fulfilling its agreed terms and deliverables.

Experts are required to disclose any current or recent professional engagements that may arise to an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the activity of the GEC, including but not limited to vendor relationships, lobbying activities, or competing mandates or commercial interests. Experts shall have an ongoing obligation to immediately inform the DCO of any such situations arising during their participation.

Experts undertake to treat all information accessed through GEC participation as strictly confidential and to refrain from any unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of such information, whether during or after their participation in the GEC, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the DCO.

Experts are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, ethics, and respectful conduct in all GEC-related engagements. Experts shall conduct themselves in a manner that respects diversity and inclusion and shall refrain from any conduct that may adversely affect the reputation, values, interests, or operations of the DCO or its Member States. Experts shall refrain from any form of corruption, fraud, or misuse of position or information, and maintain a professional environment free from harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct.

Inclusion in the GEC roster does not guarantee participation in any specific activity, program or initiative. Active membership in the GEC roster is granted for a period of twelve (12) months and is subject to renewal at the DCO’s discretion. Engagements are determined on a selective, time-bound, and requirements-based basis, in accordance with defined scopes, deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements, which will be communicated prior to each activation. Participation is non-exclusive and does not restrict Experts from undertaking other professional activities, provided no conflict of interest arises and confidential information is not disclosed.

Upon acceptance of an engagement, Experts are expected to dedicate the time and effort necessary to fulfil the agreed scope and deliverables within the specified timelines.

Experts shall not use the name, logo, or branding of the DCO, nor represent themselves as acting on behalf of the DCO, without prior written authorization from the DCO General Secretariat.

All outputs, deliverables, materials, reports, and content developed in connection with GEC engagements are commissioned by and shall remain the exclusive property of the DCO. Experts retain ownership of any pre-existing intellectual property. Nevertheless, where such materials are incorporated into GEC deliverables, the Experts grant the DCO a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and adapt such materials for official purposes.

Participation in the GEC does not constitute, nor shall it be construed under any circumstances as giving rise to, any employment, consultancy arrangement or formal representation of the DCO. Experts participate solely in their personal and independent capacities. Accordingly, any views, opinions, analyses, recommendations, or other contributions expressed by Experts shall be attributable solely to the respective individuals and shall not be deemed to reflect the official views, positions, or endorsements of the DCO or its Member States. Inclusion in the GEC does not confer any right, entitlement, or legitimate expectation of participation in any specific initiative or activity.

By participating in GEC activities, Experts consent to the capture and use of photographs, names, titles, audio, and video recordings by the DCO for official reporting, communications, and publications. Additionally, any external representation of the DCO by a GEC Expert requires prior written approval from the DCO General Secretariat.

Experts are responsible for ensuring that their contributions are accurate to the best of their knowledge. The DCO shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special loss or damage arising out of or in connection with participation in the GEC or reliance on any expert contribution.

Experts shall not assign, transfer, delegate, or otherwise dispose of any of their rights, obligations, assignments, or participation under these Terms and Conditions without the prior written consent of the DCO.

The DCO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend, restrict, or remove an Expert from the GEC roster or from participation in any GEC-related activity, including but not limited to prolonged inactivity, breach of these Terms and Conditions, unresolved conflicts of interest, or conduct deemed inconsistent with the DCO’s reputation, values, interests, or operational requirements. The DCO may also take such measures where necessary to safeguard operational integrity, confidentiality, security, or compliance requirements.

Experts may withdraw from the GEC at any time by providing written notice to the DCO General Secretariat. Experts shall ensure that any ongoing engagements are concluded or appropriately transitioned in a professional and orderly manner, without prejudice to the DCO’s rights in relation to such engagements.

The DCO shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of GEC-related activities, arrangements, or engagements to the extent caused by events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, force majeure events, or failures or disruptions affecting telecommunications, information systems, or operations. In such circumstances, the DCO reserves the right to suspend, defer, or modify any affected GEC-related activities or engagements.

The DCO reserves all rights and remedies not expressly granted under these Terms and Conditions. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any rights or as the grant of any implied right or entitlement. Any failure or delay by the DCO in exercising any right shall not constitute a waiver of such right, and the DCO’s failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of that provision or of its rights and immunities, including the right to enforce it at any time thereafter.

These Terms and Conditions may be updated periodically. Any amendments shall become effective upon publication or notification through the designated DCO communication channels.

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the policies, procedures, and regulatory framework of the DCO.