Governance

• Mission: Work with communities and stakeholders to strengthen livelihoods and build resilience.
• Vision: Resilient African communities where people and nature thrive together.
• Values: Community, Stewardship, Evidence, Collaboration, Accountability and Inclusion.

AFRDA is guided by a Board and implemented by a professional Secretariat. The Board sets strategic direction, approves institutional policies and major commitments, and oversees organisational performance and risk. The Secretariat translates approved strategy into programmes, partnerships, reporting, finance, communications and community engagement. The Board does not normally perform day-to-day operational roles, and the Secretariat does not override matters reserved for Board approval. The Board may establish committees with written terms of reference to support oversight.

• Protect AFRDA’s mission, independence, reputation and long-term sustainability.
• Approve strategy, annual plans, budgets, policies and material organisational commitments.
• Oversee financial stewardship, safeguarding, risk, data protection, legal compliance, resource mobilisation and performance.
• Appoint and oversee the senior executive responsible for the Secretariat.
• Require conflicts of interest to be declared and managed.
• Promote transparency, ethical conduct, inclusion and respect for communities.

• Major decisions are informed by reliable evidence, field learning, risk analysis and organisational records.
• Board and committee decisions are recorded, including actions, responsibilities and follow-up.
• Authority is delegated in writing and remains subject to oversight and limits appropriate to the decision and risk.
• AFRDA maintains proportionate controls for finance, procurement, safeguarding, privacy, people management, environmental and social responsibility and complaints.
• Serious incidents, suspected fraud, conflicts of interest and major risks are escalated to the appropriate authority.

AFRDA’s governance seeks to reflect the interests, dignity and participation of communities, including women, young people, schools, local leaders, persons with disabilities and vulnerable or marginalised groups. Programme decisions begin with listening, practical field information and respect for local priorities and knowledge.

• Public information should be honest, evidence-based and free from exaggerated results or misrepresented community voices.
• AFRDA protects confidential, personal, safeguarding, personnel and commercially sensitive information while sharing appropriate information with communities, donors, partners and the public.
• AFRDA provides public routes for safeguarding reports, privacy requests, complaints and supplier concerns.
• Applicants are not required to pay to apply for AFRDA jobs, internships, volunteer roles, consultancy opportunities or supplier competitions.

The Board receives periodic information on programmes, financial performance, risks, safeguarding, complaints, partnerships and organisational learning. Policies and controls are reviewed in response to growth, legal or donor changes, serious incidents and operational restructuring. External audit or independent review is used where required by law, donor agreement or Board decision.