Statement of legitimacy and accountability
Read Oxfam's Accountability Report for 2006-2007
Legitimacy
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are sometimes challenged about their legitimacy to speak out on issues such as world poverty. Oxfam is working continuously to develop and improve its accountability (a vital part of legitimacy) so that it fully supports our vision and mission, and ensures that our work has the greatest impact.
Oxfam’s experience is wide-ranging and in-depth. We have worked with poor people in developing countries for more than 60 years. Currently, we’re working with more than 1,000 partners in more than 70 countries. We employ local people who understand the issues that keep local communities trapped in poverty. Our development and humanitarian work is respected by the international community, southern and northern governments, our partner organisations, allies, and other agencies.
Oxfam also carries out important advocacy and policy work, to make sure that governments and international organisations understand the needs of poor people, and work towards improving their lives. Members of the public who campaign for Oxfam help us to convey these messages and to increase awareness of our work.
More than 500,000 people in the UK support Oxfam’s work through monthly giving.
Oxfam is an independent charity, and as such does not align itself to any governments.
Accountability
Oxfam believes that in order to achieve our organisational mission and to ensure that our work has the greatest impact, we need to be accountable to our key stakeholders. We are working towards improved transparency and information-sharing; more stakeholder participation in decision-making; and better evaluation and complaint mechanisms. Key stakeholders include the individuals and communities with whom we work; partners and allies; donors and supporters; staff and the wider public; and regulatory bodies in the UK and in countries where we operate.
How we are planning to improve our accountability
Described below are the ways we make ourselves accountable, or plan to do so, with each of our different stakeholder groups.
1. People living in poverty and suffering
One of Oxfam’s core principles is to ensure our work is effective by involving poor people and partners. We want to involve them in monitoring what is delivered and in assessing impact. If there are problems, we want people to be able to make a complaint and to know that it will be acted upon. We also publish information about our work, including many evaluations, on our website.
We have a plan to improve our accountability to the people living in poverty with whom we work. This includes:
- working to ensure that Oxfam meets all HAPI (Humanitarian Accountability Programme International) standards;
- being involved in the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR) Peer Review, which is aimed at strengthening measures to prevent the sexual exploitation of beneficiaries and will in future take on new topics for peer review;
- working towards delivering the Sphere Standards for humanitarian action.
2. Donors and Supporters
Oxfam aims to be open and transparent with donors and supporters. We produce a variety of reports, including The Annual Report and Accounts and The Annual Review, as well as other materials such as newsletters and email messages. Our Supporter Charter, which is publicly displayed in every Oxfam shop, clearly defines our commitment of care to the supporter, and provides a unified approach to the quality of customer care across the organisation. We also run a series of nationwide roadshows, known as Oxfam Live, in the spring of each year, which are open to anyone interested in Oxfam’s work. The most comprehensive and current source of information is our website.
We have specific processes to deliver accountability to our institutional donors. This involves delivering regular reports to a timetable prescribed by, or negotiated with, the donor.
We strive to keep fundraising and administrative costs low. For each £1 invested in attracting and maintaining financial support, we work to secure at least £6 in income.
3. Partners and Allies
In most of our long-term development work and some of our humanitarian work, we work through local partner agencies. Beyond these partnerships, we also work with many other groups who may be affected by what we say and do. These include:
- Other agencies in the humanitarian and development sector, especially in the U.K.;
- Other allies and partners in developing countries which may be particularly affected by local advocacy and campaigning work, especially if we have different messages to theirs;
- The other members of the Oxfam International family. These Oxfams may be more strongly affected by what we say and do as they carry the same brand name.
Apart from maintaining our own behaviour and actions at a high standard, we also seek to be sensitive about our public and private advocacy and campaigning work. In developing countries in particular, we try to agree messages early in campaigns and to be respectful of partners’ roles and relationships – for example, we make sure we do not take their place in lobbying their governments.
Every two years, we hold the Oxfam Assembly or other forums, to which a number of partner agencies are invited. These Assemblies are not only to give us feedback, but also provide an opportunity to help shape future direction. Countries sometimes also hold ‘mini-assemblies’ with their partners.
4. The Wider Public and those we challenge
Oxfam often makes public statements that call for support from the wider public. In these circumstances, we ensure that what we say is based on our mandate to overcome poverty and suffering and that it is based on our experience and research.
In order to make more informed judgements about Oxfam and about what we say, the public is entitled to know whether or not what we suggested did happen or may happen, and to know the reasons. We are committed to providing that feedback on our website and where possible, through the wider media.
In our advocacy work we may challenge others, for example, governments and companies. If concerns are raised that our claims are inaccurate or unfounded, we will investigate and respond appropriately.
5. Staff and Managers
We are committed to an open and accountable management system in which staff are properly line-managed. We also have human resources policies, to which staff with grievances, or those wishing to disclose information about malpractice have recourse.
Every two years, all Oxfam staff and a sample of our 20,000 volunteers are encouraged to participate in a confidential survey. This is an opportunity for staff and volunteers to air their views about Oxfam, knowing that they will be heard. The results of the survey are used to guide and inform future decisions.
6. Legal Status
Finally, and importantly, we are accountable to the Charity Commission and its regulations as is necessary for us to operate as a charity in Great Britain. We are also accountable to the host governments in countries where we operate.
Barbara Stocking, February 2006
