Sali “NGO assessment and certification”
The current global paradigm shift is talking about development effectiveness rather than just aid effectiveness. Recognizing the role of CSOs in this new paradigm, ‘Istanbul Principles’ has identified two requirements that need to be met: (I) enable CSOs to exercise their roles as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment, consistent with agreed international rights, that maximizes the contributions of CSOs to development; (II) encourage CSOs to implement practices that strengthen their accountability and their contribution to development effectiveness.
The SALI structured capability development program is built on a three-tier approach (figure below). The process starts by assessing the NGO capabilities based upon best- practice and locally-contextualized standards. The purpose is to identify areas for improvement and to design tailored capability building program to enable the partner NGOs to function as highly competent international organizations. SALI assessment tool has eight themes: (I) leadership; (II) strategies and governance; (III) people and result; (IV) partnerships; (V) financial and procurement systems; (VI) processes and quality; (VII) customers and society results;
(VIII) systems and performance. Each of these themes has an assigned weight, which is used to calculate the final assessment score (360 points).
The assessment will identify gaps and areas for improvement. The results will guide the capability program to provide required support in the following:
(I) Provides specific internal systems training packages focus on: project management, research methodology, finance and procurement, partnerships and systems, leadership and management, performance management, and quality tools.
(II) Supports NGO in developing feasibility analysis,
project plans and business cases for humanitarian projects, and in making funding and finance submissions.
(III) Provides SALI’s applied project delivery capabilities focus on: partnerships, quality service delivery, and training of care providers, software, and integrated applied research.
(IV) Supports NGO in integrating applied research with projects and programs through training in research competencies and strengthening research cultures.