The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) was designed so that its application can be measured. Measuring your performance through the CHS verification scheme helps you learn the extent to which accountability standards have been incorporated into your work and highlights which areas you might consider improving.
The CHS Alliance Verification Scheme offers different approaches to verification, because we recognise there are many types of aid organisations at different stages of their journey to meet the CHS Nine Commitments.
All verification approaches allow organisations to capture useful data and identify areas of strength and weakness using the indicators outlined in the CHS Verification Framework.
An organisation completing one of the verification modalities will automatically assess their performance on key cross-cutting issues mainstreamed across the CHS. CHS Alliance uses requirements from the Nine CHS Commitments to develop an index that reflects how well the organisation performs across the area of Protection against sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment (PSEAH).
CHS Verification Tools
Following revision of the CHS 2024, the updated verification tools are available to support organisations:
- Mapping of CHS 2024 against CHS 2014
- CHS Verification Framework
- CHS Verification Guide
- PSEAH Index
- CHS Self-Assessment Manual
Updates to the Verification Scheme
CHS Alliance is developing a new verification modality: the Independently Validated Self-Assessment (IV-SA).
The IV-SA is intended to sit between CHS Self-Assessment and the existing third-party verification options (Independent Verification and Certification) as an additional and complementary pathway within the CHS Verification Scheme.
The IV-SA is not intended to replace the existing third-party verification options, but to provide a more accessible and proportionate option for organisations that are not yet seeking, or may not currently be in a position to undertake, a full independent verification or certification process.
The modality will build on an organisation’s CHS Self-Assessment and supporting evidence, with an independent validation process to review the quality, consistency and credibility of the assessment. As such, it will offer a more limited level of external review than existing third-party verification options, while still strengthening confidence in the self-assessment process and supporting organisational learning and improvement. Further information will be shared in the coming months.
CHS Self-Assessment
The CHS self-assessment is a learning exercise. It helps organisations understand their capacity and performance against the CHS, and builds an improvement plan to make the services they deliver work better for the people affected by crisis.
Using a guidance document and online survey tools provided by the CHS Alliance, the self-assessment allows organisations to collect information, document evidence and present results.
While the results of the Self-Assessments belong entirely to the organisations, CHS Alliance secretariat validates, only for the members, the fact that they completed the process. They are issued with a letter and a stamp they can use to demonstrate their commitment to the standard.
Start my Self-Assessment journey
To start your Self-Assessment journey, please review the CHS self-assessment manual and submit the preliminary survey. You can also visit the Commitment Tracker for further information.
Start your self-assessment journey
If you are a member of the CHS Alliance or you have previously done a CHS Self-Assessment, please log into your CHS Commitment Tracker account or get in touch with ua at verification@chsalliance.org.
Independent Verification & Certification
Independent verification and certification against the CHS are conducted by a third-party auditor – currently this service is offered by Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI).
These options provide a detailed picture of the degree to which organisations have successfully implemented the CHS, as well as providing a road map for making improvements.
Find out more about independent verification and certification
The Verification Advisory Panel (VAP) provides expert technical advice on CHS verification issues and provides recommendations and advice on the management, oversight and improvements to the Scheme. This includes developing proposals and recommendations to the CHS Alliance Governing Board on potential modifications to the Scheme.
Further questions are answered in our CHS verification Frequently Asked Questions.
We encourage organisations to choose the verification option that best suits their needs.
Please contact our Head of Quality Assurance, Jordi Capdevila if you have any questions about CHS verification – email verification@chsalliance.org
CHS Alliance Members’ Community of Practice
The CHS Alliance offers a Verification Community of Practice (CoP) for CHS Alliance members to connect with others in our global network on their verification journey, whether this is self-assessment, independent verification, or certification.
As part of this CoP, you will gain access to a wealth of resources, including guidelines, toolkits, and real-world examples, and participate in dynamic discussions and collaborative projects. This community is designed to foster mutual learning, transparency, innovation, quality, and accountability! If you are a member interested in joining to enhance your skills, overcome challenges, and contribute to the continuous improvement of verification methodologies, please use the below form to express your interest.
