Transparency and Accountability

Transparency and Accountability

SGHAHRI’s legitimacy rests on public trust. We commit to clear, timely information about who we are, how we make decisions, how we use funds, and what impact we achieve. Our standards reflect applicable Nigerian laws and regulations, recognized good practice for non-profits, and our ethics of integrity, fairness, and respect.
We are committed to transparency and accountability in every aspect of funding our organization. All donations directly impact our mission, and we regularly share updates on how your support is creating lasting change.

Financial Transparency and Controls

We steward resources prudently and transparently, ensuring donor funds are used for their intended purposes.
1. Planning and reporting: Prepare annual budgets and track performance against plan, with periodic internal and external reporting to stakeholders.
2. Accounting: Record transactions accurately and timely, segregate duties (authorization, custody, recording), and reconcile accounts routinely.
3. Funds management: Track restricted grants to donor conditions; follow documented procurement procedures; maintain asset registers and inventories.
4. Audits and reviews: Engage independent auditors where available and publish audited financial statements when available; respond to findings with corrective action plans and follow-up.
5. Donor accountability: Provide donors with narrative and financial reports consistent with grant agreements and make summary financial information available to the public.

Integrity, Anti-Corruption, and AML Compliance

We have zero tolerance for fraud, bribery, facilitation payments, and misuse of funds. Staff and representatives must follow our Code of Conduct and Gifts and Hospitality rules, declare conflicts, and undergo training on ethics and AML. We perform risk-based AML checks on counter-parties and escalate suspicious activity in line with SCUML/EFCC requirements. Breaches lead to disciplinary action and, where appropriate, reports to authorities.

Programme Transparency and Impact

We design programmes based on evidence and community needs, publish clear objectives and expected outcomes, and measure results through a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework.
1. Evidence and learning: Use baselines, indicators, and regular monitoring to assess effectiveness; share findings—successes and lessons learned—subject to privacy and safety.
2. Beneficiary feedback: Maintain accessible, culturally appropriate feedback and complaint mechanisms; investigate and resolve issues promptly.
3. Independent evaluation: Commission external evaluations for major initiatives where feasible and publish summaries of methods and findings.

Data Protection and Privacy

We respect the dignity and rights of all people whose data we handle.
1. Compliance: Align with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (2023) and guidance on lawful processing, purpose limitation, minimization, retention, and security.
2. Safeguards: Protect sensitive data through access controls, encryption, and staff training; de-identify data used for public reporting where necessary.
3. Rights: Provide appropriate notices and respect data subjects’ rights, balancing transparency with confidentiality and safety, especially for vulnerable groups.

Procurement and Partnerships

We procure goods and services through fair, competitive processes proportionate to value and risk, with documented criteria and thresholds. Vendor selection and partner onboarding include background checks, conflict-of-interest screening, and compliance reviews. Contracts set clear deliverables, payment terms, and audit rights; performance is monitored and underperformance addressed.

Whistleblowing, Grievances, and Safeguarding

SGHAHRI prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith. We maintain internal channels for reporting misconduct, safeguarding issues, or financial irregularities, and we provide options for external reporting where appropriate. Concerns are reviewed impartially, investigated as needed, and resolved with corrective actions. Safeguarding policies protect children and vulnerable adults and guide safe programming and conduct.

Continuous Improvement

Transparency and accountability are ongoing commitments. We review policies regularly, train staff, act on audit and evaluation findings, and invite stakeholder feedback to strengthen governance, financial stewardship, programme quality, and ethical culture.
 
Limitations and Responsible Disclosure

We balance openness with the need to protect personal data, security-sensitive information, and confidential third-party content. Where full disclosure is not appropriate, we provide summaries, redactions, or explanations consistent with law and ethical practice.