The following minimum 31 questions should be asked as a screening tool of any organisation prior to DAISI considering entering into partnership. These questions relate to five areas of: Registration, Governance, Risk management, Fraud, and Vulnerable persons protection. In each case, the question begins with “Does the partner have…?”
.CORE VALUES AND OBJECTIVES
1. Values and objectives that align with DAISI’s Values and Constitution?
REGISTRATION
2. Legal registration being duly licensed?
3. Registration as a local or international not for profit entity in the country of operation?
4. Certification as an entity?
5. A clear and publicly available constitution and policies?
GOVERNANCE
6. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its partners?
7. A formal governing instrument?
8. A constitution/governing instrument that refers to its constitution and by-laws?
9. A clearly stated process for appointment and termination of executive members?
10. A statement of its charitable purpose and status as a not for profit organisation?
11. A statement on its distribution of assets policy in the case of dissolution?
12. A copy of its organisational structure?
13. An organisational structure officially recorded with government?
14. A board/executive that meet regularly and function according to the constitution?
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
15. Any obvious conflicts of interest that could impact governance?
16. Any board members related to members of the executive?
17. Any involvement in any litigation or subject to serious complaints or investigations?
RISK MANAGEMENT
18. Controls in place to manage the risk of fraud and/or misappropriation of funds?
19. Publicly accessible annual reports”
20. Publicly accessible audited financial reports?
FRAUD
21. Its bank account in the organisation’s name?
22. A two signatories policy to withdraw funds?
23. A clear operational budget and means of recording and tracking expenses against the budget?
24. A transparent process for recording gifts and donations?
25. A requirement to obtain and keep original receipts for expenditure?
26. A transparent financial reporting process?
VULENRABLE PERSONS PROTECTION
27. Written child and vulnerable persons safeguarding policy?
28. A website that show any areas of possible child or vulnerable persons abuse (for example disclose children’s identity, advertise orphanages, promote tourism or unskilled volunteering etc)
29. Child or vulnerable persons safe screening and recruiting practices including (as a minimum) a police records check and working with children check on all volunteers and staff.
30. A Child and Vulnerable Persons safeguarding code of conduct?
31. A clear procedure for reporting concerns or allegations?
This policy was first created 15th November 2015 and revised on 1st July 2020 and again on 25th Sep 2021.