Accreditation
Accreditation – the way forward
Realising HAP’s vision of an accountable humanitarian sector will require a huge expansion of the compliance verification and capacity building services currently offered exclusively by HAP. As demand grows for these services, it is clear that the relatively high costs and inconvenience of supplying these services solely from HAP's Geneva based Secretariat will become an increasing constraint to scaling up our global impact. Having demonstrated the viability of the HAP Certification scheme for all sizes and types of humanitarian agency, the key strategy moving forward is therefore to increase its accessibility and, where possible, to drive down the costs of the scheme. HAP proposes to achieve this through accreditation: a procedure by which HAP formally recognizes the competence of another body to manage its own HAP Standard Certification "franchise".
Accreditation – the model
HAP’s accreditation model envisages the HAP Secretariat accrediting other bodies as qualified to offer HAP Standard certification services. To gain accredited status, such bodies will need to demonstrate that they meet the Accreditation Standard to ensure the integrity and reliability of the HAP certification quality mark. Through this approach, HAP certification will be made available in more convenient and appropriate forms, and often at lower costs, than could be provided by the HAP Secretariat. In effect, HAP will enable other bodies to compete against the Secretariat in terms of price and availability, while ensuring that the quality of the HAP certification remains constant.
Accreditation – where we are in the process
HAP has now begun the process of developing an Accreditation Standard and setting the basis of the accreditation scheme. If your agency would like to contribute to this development process or are interested in exploring options for becoming an accredited body, please contact us at secretariat@hapinternational.org.
Download here the terms of reference for the development of the HAP Accreditation Standard and Accreditation Scheme
Click here to download the full version of "Accreditation: the way forward"
Norwegian Church Aid, Childcare workshop, Darfur, August 2009
Accountability is not only our responsibility, it is inherent in the missions and the core values that drive ouor organisations and the individuals working in them who strive to save lives, alleviate suffering and support the world's poor in developing the capacity to thrive in self-sustaining communities around the world.
Barbara Wallace, Vice President, Membership and Standards, Interaction, Self-Certification Plus, Monday Developments.
