In response to growing questions around the legitimacy, integrity and performance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the increasing need for an independent, universal standard to assess accountability, SGS has developed its NGO Benchmarking service.
This service provides an independent assessment of NGOs for the organizations themselves, donor communities, funders and the general public. SGS Iran's benchmarking service enables organizations to identify their risks and weaknesses and address them promptly.
This is essential for any organization seeking long-term impact through transparency and the effective, efficient use of its financial resources. The benchmark also assures stakeholders that the organization's goals and activities are defined and carried out according to principles of accountability, efficiency and sustainability.
Features of SGS Benchmarking Services
Benchmarking Methodology
Our benchmarking standard is designed to provide an independent assessment of an NGO's alignment with international best practices.
Over a two-day process, SGS auditors assess the NGO's performance against 99 objective, measurable indicators. These indicators are drawn entirely from global standards and cover the following key areas:
Through the audit, the organization's strengths and weaknesses are identified, and its progress toward continuous improvement is evaluated.
Outcome and Certification
During the audit, each indicator is scored, and the scores are then combined to produce a final evaluation report. The client (the NGO or its funder) receives:
- Detailed scores for each area
- A detailed breakdown of strengths and improvement opportunities
- Recommendations for corrective and preventive actions
Upon achieving the required score with no major non-conformities, the NGO Benchmarking certificate is awarded.