W+ Standard Verifier Programme Launch Webinar Liz Allen & Lisa McMullan Social Audit Network March 2020
Webinar hosts, SAN Directors Liz Allen Lisa McMullan • Social enterprise, corporate social • Women’s entrepreneurship, responsibility, business planning and enterprise education, social enterprise and social impact all things social impact • Director at The Connectives • Director at The Women's Organisation • linkedin profile • linkedin profile
Webinar aims • To raise awareness and understanding of the W+ Standard • To share information about the W+ Standard Verification process – what this means in action • To outline the process of applying to become a SAN approved W+ Standard Verifier • To explain the next steps and action required
What is W+? • A standard that can be applied to projects supporting the economic development of women • A means of converting women’s activities into money for those women • A chance to support communities in developing countries • Developed by WOCAN
What is W+? The W+ measures women’s empowerment in 6 domains: 1. Time 2. Income & Assets 3. Health 4. Leadership 5. Education & Knowledge 6. Food Security
Why do we need a standard? • WOCAN created the W+ Standard to: • measure the impact of women’s empowerment • accelerate investments in women - particularly women’s groups • address persistent gaps in women's access to resources and capital and scale up solutions to climate change, food security and poverty
W+ Verification • Independent verification provided by SAN • Review • Project Idea Note • Project Design Document • Monitoring Report • Site visits to establish • What has been achieved? • How much change has happened in the lives of the women? • Can we see evidence of their empowerment?
Underpinned by SAN principles… 1. Clarify purpose 2. Define scope 3. Engage stakeholders 4. Determine materiality 5. Make comparisons 6. Be transparent 7. Verify accounts 8. Embed the process
W+ benefits • It produces quantified women-benefit units that contribute towards post 2015 Sustainability Goals (SDGs), Climate Financing or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) targets. • Demonstrating commitment to women’s empowerment • Evidencing of impact; individual woman and community levels • Engaging & consulting women as key stakeholders • Improving & informing future activities • Being accountable
Examples • Ouarzazate, Morocco – sheep farming co-operative • Kavre & Sindhuli, Nepal – biogas units • Lombok, Indonesia – biogas units • Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – financial education
Becoming a SAN W+ Standard Verifier • Competence based approach Making Verification Gender Personal Process Focus Practices the case The value of The need for undertaking women’s Evaluation & Processes W+ Standard empowerment reflection verification initiatives The role of the Women’s W+ Standard Architecture empowerment Action plan Verifier domains
By demonstrating that I can … Guidance for completing application: Section 1 submissions are expected to include: 1.1 identify the drivers to why project developers Reference to relevant policy and I can clearly choose to use the W+ Standard as a way to organisational drivers (such as Making the case for W+ Standard Verification demonstrate recognise their work statements of policy on gender competences equality and empowerment; practical guidance for good practices in social around: audit and verification processes. Understanding 1.2 explain the value of applying the W+ Standard Reference to W+ Standard the value of to development projects documentation or similar; examples or good practice cases. undertaking W+ Verification 1.3 describe the role of the W+ Standard Verifier Reference to W+ Standard and good practice approaches to undertaking documentation or similar; examples of and the role of verification processes undertaking similar roles or good the W+ Verifier practice cases. in the process 1.4 provide examples of current thinking on social Evidence of use of up to date audit and verification processes references / guidance / approaches to And on the role of social value / impact reporting audit / assurance / verification of social and verification impact.
By demonstrating that I can … Guidance for completing application: Section 2 submissions are expected to include: I can clearly 2.1 review and analyse qualitative and Evidence of analysing different kinds of quantitative information, and make objective information, drawing objective conclusions demonstrate assessments based on available information competences around: The W+ Standard Verification: 2.2 engage with a wide range of stakeholders, Evidence of engaging with different Process & Architecture including project developers, with stakeholder groups to gain meaningful and Understanding the professionalism and impartiality useful information W+ Standard Verification 2.3 produce written reports using clear Evidence of report writing in line with architecture and language, following appropriate structures and stated formats and timescales. processes within a strict timeframe 2.4 describe the W+ Standard architecture, Description of the underpinning principles, implementation processes and principles key components and processes involved guiding verification. with the W+ Standard.
Guidance for completing application: Section 3 By demonstrating that I can … submissions are expected to include: 3.1 explain the need for women’s Knowledge of issues impacting on gender I can clearly empowerment initiatives; and their fit with the equality and empowerment, particularly UN SDGs in developing countries, and examples of The W+ Standard Verification: Gender Concepts demonstrate initiatives addressing these issues competences around: Understanding 3.2 describe the W+ Standard women’s Providing examples of activities and the unique empowerment domains and explain why these indicators for women’s empowerment in are important, and the associated outcomes of each of the 6 domains gender focus of activities in each of the domains the W+ Standard 3.3 promote diversity and inclusion in the Recognition and evidence of individual implementation of verification processes, in requirements / actions to support particular when consulting stakeholders inclusivity / specific approaches that promote diversity and inclusion
By demonstrating that I can … Guidance for completing application - Section 4 submissions are expected to include: I can clearly 4.1 evaluate the ways in which my values, as Explicit and relevant reference to social demonstrate a social auditor or provider of assurance and accounting and audit principles and W+ competences verification services, are aligned to those of Standard around: the W+ Standard. 4.2 adopt a reflective approach to evaluating Evidence of using a framework to reflect Evaluation of Evaluation, Reflect and Action Plan my values and practices as a social auditor / on own approach to work personal practices assurance and / or verification provider. and values as an 4.3 identify the knowledge requirements of Identify key knowledge and skill independent my role as a social auditor / assurance or requirements and produce an action plan verifier / auditor; verification provider and plan learning for learning and development plan and planned intent /development to address any gaps in to maintain knowledge, with regard to verification processes and / or gender development knowledge of issues social audit & verification activities
Becoming a SAN W+ Standard Verifier • Application form • Supporting evidence • Payment
Becoming a SAN W+ Standard Verifier Cost • The fee is £500 GBP, covering accreditation costs and support for 3 years from your successful accreditation date • The accreditation fee is payable upon submission of your application • You are invited to express your interest and intention to submit an application by emailing info@socialauditnetwork.org.uk with EOI W+ Standard Verifier Application in the subject
Becoming a SAN W+ Standard Verifier Timing • Your application and supporting evidence should be submitted for assessment by 30/06/2020 to info@socialauditnetwork.org.uk • Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a confirmatory online interview by 31/07/2020 • If further information is needed, applicants can access additional mentoring support and will be invited to resubmit their application for consideration on or before 30/09/2020
Next Steps • Contact us for access to our online supporting learning resources • A further online information session including Q&A will be held in the first week of June 2020 - if you are interested in proceeding with the W+ Verifier accreditation process please ensure that you register for this session • Submit your completed application form and supporting evidence by 30/06/2020
ANY QUESTIONS?
Thank you • info@socialauditnetwork.org.uk
Recommend
More recommend
