The CHS Verification Advisory Panel provides expert technical advice on CHS verification issues, including interpretation of the CHS indicators 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.

Key functions of the VAP are:

  • Provide oversight, technical advice and quality control on the application of the Scheme.
  • Review questions and make decisions on interpretation of the CHS indicators.
  • Ensure processes are in place to regularly review the Scheme and its verification options to ensure it meets the needs of its users and stakeholders and is aligned to internationally-accepted good practices for standards verification.
  • Review and make recommendations to the CHS Alliance Secretariat on the self-assessment methodology and process.
  • Review and make recommendation to the CHS Alliance Governing Board on acceptance and approval of third party conformity assessment bodies providing independent CHS independent verification and/or certification.
  • Provide inputs and advice to CHS Alliance, and if appropriate, approved conformity assessment bodies, on feedback and concerns by users of the Scheme.

Members of the Verification Advisory Panel are (updated on June 4th):

  • Tim Boyes-Watson (Chair), Global Director, Alliances & Advocacy, Humentum
  • Amina Deji-logunleko, SA 8000 Auditor, Independent Consultant, HAP (USA Massachusetts)
  • Victoria Lyon Dean, Head of Quality Assurance, Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative
  • Claire Goudsmit, Independent Consultant
  • Thomas Lewinsky, Independent Consultant
  • Merete Skjelsbæk, Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance  at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute
  • Coleen Hemskerk, CHS Alliance Board Member & Church of Sweden
  • Allan Calma, CHS Alliance Board Member & Lutheran World Federation

Users of the Scheme can raise a question to the VAP that they would like to be discussed. They are invited to send the proposed question to verification@chsalliance.org. The questions should not be complaints that fall under the mandates of the existing complaints mechanisms of CHS Alliance or HQAI.