Good Governance

Good Governance is the need of the hour in the NGO sector in order to ensure and promote application of best management practices, compliance of law and adherence to best possible ethical standards. The entire management processes and practices of Jeevan Dhara are in compliance with the principles of Good Governance’.

I. Making Policies & Decisions

Jeevan Dhara, from the beginning itself, works on a delegated work environment. Each and every person in the organization is involved in the process of decision making.

Making Policy & Decisions in the foundation are done through a well worked out system.

a. Departments & Divisions

Weekly review meetings are held for each division and department.

b. Executive Committee

The executive committee manages the foundation’s operation directly and it reports to trustees. Members of this committee are professionals working with Jeevan Dhara. The executive committee of Jeevan Dhara holds a meeting each month and looks after day to day management.

c. Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees sets the vision and broad guidelines for the Foundation and ensures good governance in liaison with the Executive Committee; although, the Board of Trustees is not involved in the day to day operation of Jeevan Dhara.

II. Project Management & Monitoring system

The project management & monitoring system in Jeevan Dhara comprises of a systematic and well laid down processes:–

a) Selection of NGO Partners

Partners are invited, selection of partners for required locations under specified programme through advertisement in relevant forum, websites; and also through reference from credible partners as well as perennial ‘submit a proposal’ section in Jeevan Dhara website. Also, prospective partners keep on submitting proposals directly to the foundation round the year. Initial selection is done on these bases.

b) Desk Appraisal

Prospective proposals are put through the desk appraisal process at respective programme divisions.

c) Field Appraisal

Short-listed proposals from desk appraisal are considered for field appraisals by the programme departments.

d) Monitoring

Once a partner is selected under a particular programme, an MoU is signed, guidelines and initial trainings are imparted and the particular project is started. The project is put under a systematic and periodic monitoring system.

e) Project Auditing, Activity report analysis, Field evaluation

The process of project monitoring is followed by impact analysis, which is a done internally.

III. Audit System

Jeevan Dhara has a three tier audit system to ensure that funds are utilized to the optimum level in an accountable manner.

A. Internal & Process Audit System – This is conducted throughout the year in order to ensure accountability in the internal operation of the organization

B. Statutory Audit – is held by the statutory auditor for finalization of balance sheet and statement of affairs. This is also done to comply with standard statutory norms.

C. External Evaluation: On the basis of need, impact and outcome of various welfare programmes of Jeevan Dhara are evaluated by external evaluation agencies having relevant experience on the subject.

Audit reports are discussed with the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee to take suitable and necessary steps if required.

IV. Use of Technology for Good Governance

a) Online Monitoring System

Jeevan Dhara advocates use of technology for ensuring impartial monitoring and to cut down overhead cost.

b) Accounting System

The Accounts Team of Jeevan Dhara consists of competent and qualified accounts professionals. The accounts are maintained on daily basis through advanced and updated computerized systems. The same is also analyzed and checked periodically by the internal control system and Internal Auditor, in compliance with standardized HR and Management Policy.

V. People Management

We groom leaders

Jeevan Dhara believes in a democratic and participatory work culture.

Appraisal and review system is conducted annually in a democratic way to identify the future leaders of the organization.

VI. Education Support

Jeevan Dhara encourages its employees to take up higher studies so that they emerge as future leaders and grow individually as well as professionally.