External Recognition of The CHS

The CHS and HQAI CHS audits are increasingly recognised, acknowledged or recommended by funders.

The CHS is a measurable standard that comes with three Verification Options: Self-Assessment, Independent Verification and Certification. The latter two are external audits provided by HQAI. By applying and measuring performance against the CHS, organisations can better fulfil their commitments and ensure that their operations are aligned with international best practices.

Many governments, pooled funds, and other stakeholders, including UN recognise the CHS as the established benchmark for ensuring higher standards of quality and accountability. As more organisations undergo CHS verification, the standard emerges as a collective tool to advance localisation and streamline due diligence processes.

The Role of Donors

There is an identified need to effectively manage the tension between funders’ need for compliance/risk management and the resources required from aid providers to answer multiple requirements. The lack of common approaches to collect, analyse, and act on due diligence (DD) requirements amongst DD assessments holders along the delivery chain leads to duplication and inefficiencies.

HQAI has demonstrated how validated CHS audit data can objectively inform identified levels of various donor DD or partner capacity assessments. Using them as primary assurance in funders’ DD and reporting processes represents a way to increase cost-effectiveness. HQAI works with governments, funding bodies, intermediaries, and the CHS Alliance, to leverage efficiencies and achieve sector-wide savings (financial, admin and HR resources) without compromising on the accountability and quality of aid, nor the rigour of the assessments.