Annual report

28
Annual Report 
2022

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A new solutions package for risk management 
was developed in the first half of 2022, including 
a Risk Management Policy, IFRC top strategic 
risks, a Country Risk Dashboard, delegation-level 
risk registers, and an annual report for Risk 
Management. 
Governance Excellence
and Board Support
The global IFRC network looks to Governance 
for strategic vision, decision-making, and in set-
ting – and embodying – the highest standards 
of integrity and humanitarian values. As such, 
the IFRC’s work in supporting the work of the 
Governing Board and its committees and com-
missions is of the utmost importance.
Work in this area includes providing com-
prehensive and high-quality support to IFRC 
Governance; providing advice and support to 
the IFRC Secretary General; developing strate-
gies to strive for Governance excellence; driving 
process improvements, and in the coordination 
of planning and organization for the Statutory 
Meetings – a General Assembly and Council of 
Delegates every two years, and an International 
Conference every four.
It also plays a vital role in strengthening a cul-
ture of compliance across the IFRC’s member 
National Societies. It does this by leading on 
the development of integrity standards, policies 
and tools, and supporting the development of 
National Society governance.
Continuous support is provided to the President 
and Vice Presidents in fulfilling their statutory 
functions as well as in representational func-
tions, including formulating strategic issues, 
providing advice and analysis before and during 
meetings and missions. The Vice-President from 
the regions and the regional networks are also 
supported to handle any integrity cases, while 
National Societies are supported through medi-
ation and peer support. 
The work also extends to supporting Advisory 
Groups, reviewing points presented at Governing 
Board sessions, and consultation with the 
Commissions and Committees to identify other 
potential areas of the Statutory Texts of the IFRC 
(including the Constitution, Rules of Procedure, 
Financial Regulations, Staff Rules and Rules for 
Travel Assistance) that require amendments.
For IFRC’s Regional Conferences, guidance is pro-
vided to the Vice President and Secretary General 
in their roles in chairing Regional Conference 
preparatory/Steering Committee, providing 
advice and protocol guidance, and assistance is 
given in the design of the conference, evaluation 
and reporting, ensuring that the substance and 
outcomes are aligned with the IFRC General 
Assembly and Governing Board decisions and 
with the resolutions of the Statutory Meetings.
Legal
The IFRC is operational worldwide and is account-
able to national authorities for all activity carried 
out within those countries. As such, the organi-
zation needs a robust global Legal function, and 
strong legal frameworks.
A dedicated global team is responsible for legal 
risk management for the IFRC, providing strategic 
and technical legal advice, legal risk analysis and 
legal solutions to ensure compliance with the 
applicable legal frameworks covering all aspects 
of the IFRC’s activities worldwide. 
The General Counsel leads and manages this 
global team, which is composed of highly qual-
ified lawyers at Headquarters and across the 
Regions. This Legal function supports the global 
IFRC in the management of legal risks and in 
compliance with applicable legal and regulatory 
frameworks. The department also supports 
National Societies with their legal risk manage-
ment needs.
Strategic and authoritative legal advice is given 
to the Secretary General and senior manage-
ment on a broad range of complex and sensitive 
legal matters, and in relation to compliance 
obligations and related risks. In addition, global 
legal strategies, policies, procedures and tools 
are created and maintained.