CHS self-assessment: organisational responsibilities

Rate your organisation from 1 (not achieved) to 5 (fully achieved). The scores start at 3. The chart summarises the nine commitments.

This assessment follows the earlier edition of the CHS. Read about the 2024 edition.

1. Assistance that meets needs

1.1 Does the organisation have a clear policy for impartial and independent humanitarian assistance grounded in human rights, and do staff know about it?

1.2 Do stakeholders experience the organisation as impartial, independent and non-discriminatory?

1.3 Does the response routinely collect data broken down by sex, age, disability and other relevant characteristics?

1.4 Are these data used regularly to plan and deliver assistance?

1.5 Can the organisation adapt its funding, staffing and response plans as needs change?

1.6 Does the organisation analyse markets systematically when deciding which type of assistance to provide?

2. Timely assistance

2.1 Before starting a response, is there a clear process for checking capacity, funding and the availability of staff with the required skills?

2.2 Are there clear policies, procedures and resources for monitoring and evaluation, and for using findings in management and decisions? Do staff know about them?

2.3 Are there clear procedures for who decides how to allocate resources and when they make those decisions?

3. Preparedness, recovery and avoiding harm

3.1 Does the organisation require teams to assess risks to people in vulnerable situations and take steps to reduce them? Do staff know about these requirements?

3.2 Are there policies and procedures to identify and reduce harm caused by assistance, and do staff know about them?

3.3 Are there policies and procedures on sexual exploitation, abuse and discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity? Do staff know about them?

3.4 Are there plans for new or changing crises, and are staff familiar with them?

3.5 Do staff understand their responsibilities for protection, safety and risk?

3.6 Does the organisation encourage community-led action and self-help?

4. Information and participation

4.1 Do policies and plans say which information to share or withhold, and do staff know these rules?

4.2 Do policies cover secure storage, restricted access, deletion during emergency evacuation and information sharing? Do they specify what to share, with whom and in what circumstances? Share only what recipients need to know and omit unnecessary identifying details and case histories.

4.3 Do policies explain how to handle confidential or sensitive information that could put staff or affected people at risk, and do staff know about them?

4.4 Are there guidelines on how to represent affected people in communications, advocacy and fundraising, and do staff know them?

5. Complaints

5.1 Are specific policies, budgets and procedures in place for handling complaints?

5.2 Do all staff receive training and regular refresher training on complaints policies and procedures?

5.3 Does the complaints policy include specific provisions on sexual exploitation, abuse and discrimination?

5.4 Do affected people and communities know the organisation’s policies and procedures for preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and discrimination?

5.5 Are complaints the organisation cannot resolve within the agreed time referred promptly to an appropriate organisation?

6. Coordination

6.1 Does the organisation set out and put into practice policies for working with other responders?

6.2 Are there established criteria for choosing partners and clear terms for collaboration and coordination?

6.3 Are arrangements in place for formal agreements between organisations?

6.4 Do agreements describe each organisation’s roles, responsibilities and activities, including how it contributes in line with humanitarian principles?

7. Learning and improvement

7.1 Are policies and resources in place for evaluation and learning, and do staff know about them?

7.2 Is there clear guidance on documenting and sharing organisational experience and lessons, including guidance specific to humanitarian crises?

7.3 Are lessons from the response recorded and shared within the organisation?

7.4 Does the organisation take part in opportunities for public discussion about humanitarian assistance, and what does it contribute?

8. Support for staff

8.1 Are there procedures for choosing staff numbers and skills to match the scale and focus of the response?

8.2 Does workforce planning include developing future leaders and new capabilities?

8.3 Do human resources policies and procedures follow local labour law and good practice in staff management?

8.4 Do staff safety and welfare policies address the practical and psychosocial needs of local staff who may themselves be affected by the crisis?

8.5 When recruiting, training and assessing staff, does the organisation consider their ability to listen and respond to affected people?

8.6 Do all staff know their current job descriptions and objectives, including their specific responsibilities?

8.7 Are pay and allowances fair, transparent and applied consistently?

8.8 Do all staff receive an explanation and regular updates about performance management and development policies and procedures?

8.9 Must all staff and contractors sign a code of conduct covering prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and are they briefed on it when appointed?

8.10 Do contracts with financial and commercial organisations include clear provisions to prevent sexual and other forms of exploitation?

8.11 Is there guidance on whistleblowing that fits the local context, and do staff know about it?

8.12 Do staff recognise, understand and address the potential for discrimination in planning and delivering assistance?

9. Resource management

9.1 Are there policies and procedures for ethical procurement, use and management of resources?

9.2 Do policies cover receiving and allocating funds and donated goods, preventing and reducing environmental harm, preventing fraud, responding to actual or suspected corruption, misuse of resources, conflicts of interest, audits, verification, reporting, and assessing and managing risks to assets?