Seal of approval in Pakistan
Karachi - Marie Stopes Society in Pakistan has achieved another milestone - certification by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) for meeting high standards on Internal Governance, Financial Management and Programme Delivery.
Established in 2001, the PCP is an independent, non-profit support organisation which is leading the promotion of philanthropy in Pakistan. One of PCPs central objectives is to mobilise resources from the private sector, in particular the corporate sector, for development initiatives. In doing so, the PCP also supplements the government's poverty reduction agenda. The Centre itself does not engage directly in philanthropy but instead facilitates the efforts of others.
PCP certification is a 'seal of good housekeeping' for organisations that exhibit exemplary standards in organisational effectiveness. As well as helping non profit organisations to diversifying their resource base and so expand their programmes for social development, certification also gives them extra credibility as well.
MSS applied for certification in March 2007 and underwent an extensive evaluation by PCP against three sets of standardised parameters in Internal Governance, Financial Management and Programme Delivery. The evaluation comprised a detailed desk review of organisational documents, visits to MSS’ head office and SRH centres in Karachi and Gujranwala.
This process helped identify organisational strengths and weaknesses, emphasised institutionalisation of systems and processes, and allowed policy inputs / recommendations for further improvement in MSS’ internal governance, financial management and programme delivery structure.
PCP has recommended that MSS place progress reports on its website so that more people have access to them. It is believed that once this step is taken it will help increase the organisation’s credibility and build its overall image in the public eye.
Over the years, an important and consistent source of funds for MSS has been MSI. However, PCP has recommended that MSS’ diversifies its resource base to ensure a steady in flow of funds. One option that MSS may consider is formal fundraising events at national as well provincial level.
With a large team of dedicated professionals, MSS is clearly geared to become one of the leading and enduring contributors towards the improved SRH of people in Pakistan.