Accountability

Governance, controls and how to hold us to account

An institution that teaches governance has to be able to show its own. This page sets out how ICSE Zambia is structured and controlled.

Framework

Governance framework

These arrangements are the standing position of the institution. Where a specific document is available on request, the secretariat will say so.

Structure

ICSE Zambia is directed by its own board with a separate operating secretariat based in Lusaka. The board sets national strategy, approves the programme portfolio and appoints the executive. The secretariat delivers programmes, reviews membership applications and maintains the member register. Board members do not review their own applications or those of enterprises in which they hold an interest. ICSE Zambia operates within the PACBN-governed ICSE network, which sets continental standards but does not manage national operations.

Conflict of interest

Every board member, staff member and contracted facilitator declares interests on appointment and updates the declaration annually. Where a declared interest touches a decision, the person concerned withdraws from that decision and the withdrawal is minuted.

Financial control

Payments require dual authorisation above a threshold set by the board. Programme funds and general operating funds are tracked separately. Where a programme is externally funded, expenditure is reported to the funder on the schedule agreed with them.

Safeguarding and conduct

A written code of conduct applies to all facilitators and staff working with participants, including provisions on harassment, coercion and the misuse of position. Participants can raise concerns to the secretariat, and where the concern involves the secretariat, directly to the board.

Data protection

Membership applications, contact enquiries and partnership enquiries are held in a restricted system. Applicant information is visible only to the applicant and to authorised secretariat staff. Access is enforced at the database level, not only in the interface. Data is retained for as long as needed to administer membership and is not sold or shared with third parties for marketing.

Complaints

Complaints should be sent in writing to the secretariat. Complaints are acknowledged, allocated to someone not involved in the matter, and answered in writing. Where a complaint concerns a partner organisation, ICSE Zambia will say plainly what it can and cannot resolve.

Two layers

Corporate governance and network governance

ICSE Zambia is governed corporately in Zambia and participates permanently in the network governance framework maintained by PACBN. The two layers are distinct and should not be confused.

ICSE Zambia corporate governance

National company affairs and constitutional documents
Board governance and appointment of the executive
Management, budgets and Zambian operations
Local projects, contracts and commercial decisions
Shareholder matters and financial performance

PACBN network governance

Network identity and brand stewardship
Strategic alignment with the continental economic mission
Common standards, ethics and the integrity framework
Continental protocols and cross-border coordination
Network oversight, reporting and response to serious breaches

PACBN does not micromanage ordinary ICSE Zambia operations, but local autonomy does not displace network obligations: where serious fraud, misuse of the ICSE brand, integrity breaches or unauthorised separation from the network arise, PACBN may act through the mechanisms established in the relevant agreements and under Zambian law.

Network governance principles subject to formal agreements. The relationship is intended to be formalised through a network agreement, brand licence, intellectual property, technology, shareholder, data-sharing, cross-border transaction and ethics instruments. These documents are described as intended, not executed.

Read the full network relationship