POC Meeting in GenevaPOC Meeting in Geneva

June 2012June 2012

Development of an Development of an Accountability Framework Accountability Framework

for CARE Internationalfor CARE International

Update on AF DevelopmentUpdate on AF Development

Several AF tests took place during late Several AF tests took place during late 2011 and early 2012.2011 and early 2012.

Despite continued interest, pace has Despite continued interest, pace has slowed due to competing demands on slowed due to competing demands on time, notably the Pamodzi roll-out. time, notably the Pamodzi roll-out.

Since last update for the POC, AF testing Since last update for the POC, AF testing by CI-UK marketing department, CARE by CI-UK marketing department, CARE India, CARE USA’s Emergency Unit. India, CARE USA’s Emergency Unit.

AF Update continued…AF Update continued… Feedback from Gender Specialists, CARE Feedback from Gender Specialists, CARE

WBG, CARE Osterreich, WASH Specialist WBG, CARE Osterreich, WASH Specialist and CARE Mozambique. and CARE Mozambique.

Awaiting feedback from West Africa regional Awaiting feedback from West Africa regional consultations.consultations.

CARE USA has recruited a focal point to lead CARE USA has recruited a focal point to lead follow-up to their scoping study.follow-up to their scoping study.

Two-page draft version of AF developedTwo-page draft version of AF developed

Original AF work plan will Original AF work plan will probably need revision…probably need revision…

2011 2012 2013

Other Accountability “Headlines”Other Accountability “Headlines” CARE participated in the INGO Charter CARE participated in the INGO Charter

General Assembly in March and is involved in General Assembly in March and is involved in planning a “planning a “Public Challenge to NGOsPublic Challenge to NGOs” ” simulation next September in NL.simulation next September in NL.

SCHR is recruiting staff to help develop a SCHR is recruiting staff to help develop a humanitarian agency certification scheme.humanitarian agency certification scheme.

Sphere, HAP and People in Aid are recruiting a Sphere, HAP and People in Aid are recruiting a Coordinator to help with their alignment Coordinator to help with their alignment processes. processes.

““Headlines” continued…Headlines” continued… IASC Principals approved a pilot version of IASC Principals approved a pilot version of

the Operational Accountability Framework the Operational Accountability Framework that is based on “Key Elements of that is based on “Key Elements of Accountability” developed by CARE and Accountability” developed by CARE and other agencies in the ECB project. other agencies in the ECB project.

With ECB project funding from ECHO, With ECB project funding from ECHO, CARE UK is leading a pilot of the IASC CARE UK is leading a pilot of the IASC framework in the shelter cluster.framework in the shelter cluster.

Summary of AF FeedbackSummary of AF Feedback The AF provides a clear and easily-The AF provides a clear and easily-

communicated synthesis of CARE’s communicated synthesis of CARE’s accountability commitments accountability commitments

Definition of accountability needs to be Definition of accountability needs to be made clearer using wording in the HAF.made clearer using wording in the HAF.

AF Benchmarks seem to take a ‘one size AF Benchmarks seem to take a ‘one size fits all approach’ and be program-driven. fits all approach’ and be program-driven.

Feedback Summary cont…Feedback Summary cont… EHAU test suggested what to include in EHAU test suggested what to include in

AF and what should be in annexed AF and what should be in annexed guidelines for humanitarian operations.guidelines for humanitarian operations.

Concern that we don’t have the means to Concern that we don’t have the means to be accountable without better impact data.be accountable without better impact data.

Media should be included as a Media should be included as a stakeholder.stakeholder.

Feedback Summary cont…Feedback Summary cont… Suggestion to target “relevant” rather than Suggestion to target “relevant” rather than

“all” stakeholders to reduce transaction “all” stakeholders to reduce transaction costs.costs.

Uncertainty as to how the environment can Uncertainty as to how the environment can be considered as a stakeholder. be considered as a stakeholder.

None of the tests were fully completed. None of the tests were fully completed. One result is that we only have indicators One result is that we only have indicators from the HAF for benchmarks. from the HAF for benchmarks.

Next StepsNext Steps

We need a pilot version of the AF that is We need a pilot version of the AF that is user-friendly and can help busy CARE user-friendly and can help busy CARE staff prioritize their work in a way that staff prioritize their work in a way that makes sense.makes sense.

Proceed with development of annexed Proceed with development of annexed guidelines for selected functional units to guidelines for selected functional units to more easily see its practical application. more easily see its practical application. Decide which units should be prioritized. Decide which units should be prioritized.

Next Steps cont…Next Steps cont…

The proposed organizational model that has The proposed organizational model that has been discussed with the CI Board places been discussed with the CI Board places considerable emphasis on the centrality of a considerable emphasis on the centrality of a robust Accountability Framework. It is robust Accountability Framework. It is important that future work tie ongoing work important that future work tie ongoing work on the AF into further development of the on the AF into further development of the organizational model. organizational model.

Some Key Challenges…Some Key Challenges… How can we rationalize and prioritize all our How can we rationalize and prioritize all our

commitments to produce a useful AF? What will commitments to produce a useful AF? What will we have to leave out? How will we need to we have to leave out? How will we need to change ourselves?change ourselves?

How can we consider the potential impact on How can we consider the potential impact on communities during our decision-making communities during our decision-making processes? processes?

How can we ensure that CARE has the How can we ensure that CARE has the necessary motivation, capacity & resources to necessary motivation, capacity & resources to put the AF into practice?put the AF into practice?

How can we still fulfill our accountability How can we still fulfill our accountability commitments when working via partners? commitments when working via partners?