4th European Forum for International Volunteer
Cooperation Organisations
Unité’s new set of standards for the exchange of
personnel in development cooperation
Reto Gmünder, consultant
Quality management commission Unité
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Who is Unité?
• 20 member org. (MO).
Communication
• Most with development
workers & project funding (few
only dev. workers)
Contribution
• 15 MO receive core
contributions from SDC.
• 5 MO receive SDC
contributions via Unité
• In 2017, 649 assignments in
58 countries.
 Awareness rising and
information
 advocacy
Impact
management
 Admission
 Program
dialog
SYNERGIES
Quality assurance
 Standards
 Institution analysis
 Studies
 International
networking
 Training,
national
networking
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Why a new set of
standards?
• During the last few years, Unité developed a large set of
documents: 8 regulations, 6 guidelines + various concepts
• Need for a unique manual, easier to use for members
=> quality management
• Need for standards easier to communicate inside and
outside => transparency
• Contribution to the role of a competence center (advocacy,
accountability, mutual learning, standards setting, knowledge
management)
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Set of standards content
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Exchange of personnel definition
Forms of assignments
– 3 Models
– 16 forms of exchange of personnel
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Basic parameters
– External preconditions (values, human rights, democracy, …)
– Institutional requirements (accounting, code of conduct, corporate governance, …)
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Partnership (values, formal agreement, etc.)
General Standards
– Program approach (strategic orientation, impact, monitoring, risks management)
– Assignment implementation:
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Kick-off phase;
preparation;
assignment;
final phase;
post-project.
Co-financing and accountability
Specific standards
Bibliography
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Forms of assignments
• Recognition of 3 basic models:
– Development Model.
– Civil Society Strengthening
Model.
– Learning Model.
• 16 forms of exchange of
personnel:
– Development assignments
or internships.
– North-South, South-North or
South-South.
– Long term or short term.
– Individual or groups.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE MODELS
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Program and impact
orientation
• All development activities are based on a
comprehensive and coherent program:
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Period of about three to five years.
Thematic and geographical action fields
Analysis of context
Partners and stakeholders
Means and resources
Strategies (South, North, Institutional) and methods.
Orientation towards effects
Objectives on program level and a theory of change
Knowledge, quality and risk management
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Partnership orientation
• Institutional relationships based on written agreements.
• Common value base
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Reciprocity
Trust
Respect
Open dialogue
Complementarity
Responsible handling of power
Sharing of responsibilities
• Institutional setting of the partners
– Local recognition
– Representativeness
• Common strategic orientation.
• Sustainability (even without dev. workers assignments).
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Procedures for development
worker assignments
Kick-off phase
Preparation
Implementation
• Project description
• Selection
• Preparation
• Contract
• Insurance for dev. workers (incl. social insurance)
• Accompaniment/monitoring
• Awareness rising
Final phase
• Handover and return
Post project
• Debriefing/evaluation
• Follow-up
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Risk management
• Strategic requirements for the sending organization (SO)
– structure
– areas of responsibility
– trainings
• Institutional requirements for the SO
– responsibilities and tasks
– risk management plan
– competence and functioning of the crisis staff
• Operational requirements for the SO
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criminal records of development workers
analysis of the work environment and context
risk analysis of employees, infrastructure, assets and activities
risk minimization measures.
• Requirements for the development worker
– awareness of self-responsibility
– familiarity with the safety concept
– risk reduction measures and individual risk analysis.
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Code of conduct
• Ethics
Respect and appreciation for local populations and
institutions.
• Law
Respect of the legislation and the authorities of the host
country.
• Health
Attention to pers. safety as well as phys. and mental health.
• Commitment Intercultural dialogue and solidarity.
• Behavior
Adapted lifestyle, avoiding i.a. aggressive or racist behavior,
drunkenness, drug abuse, possession of firearms,
violation of cultural norms in the area of ​sexuality,
prostitution, sexual relations with minors, bribery, active or
passive participation in corruption.
• Preparation Social, intercultural and professional competences
• Equality
Loyal dialogue with south partner, sending organization
and local coordination.
Forum 2018 – 29.05.2018
Questions?
11