Governance

The General Assembly is the senior policy and decision-making body of the Network. It is composed of Full and Associate Members of the Network, each represented by one nominated person. The General Assembly convenes once a year.

According to the Constitution, the responsibilities of the General Assembly are to:

• Elect the President and seven other members of the Board of Directors.
• Establish the levels of the annual subscription and any other contribution to be paid by members.
• Consider and approve the reports of the President and the Secretary.
• Consider and approve the Network’s financial statements.
• Establish the courses of action and make the decisions or recommendations necessary for the satisfactory operation of the Network, in the framework of the Constitution.
• Approve the organisers of the next regular Conference or Forum of the Network on the proposal of the Board.

The Board of Directors manages the general affairs of the Network. It is composed of nine members duly elected by the General Assembly to serve as Directors, up to four additional members co-opted by majority vote of the Board of Directors, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Immediate Past President.

According to the Constitution, the responsibilities of the Board are to:

• Decide on the admission of members to the Network.
• Exclude, upon the recommendation of the President, any member.
• Ensure that any specific mandate determined by the General Assembly is executed.
• Replace any members of the Board who resign between Ordinary Meetings. When the Board appoints a director to fill an occasional vacancy caused by the departure of an elected director, the appointed director will serve out the term of office of the departing director and is a full director with the same rights and responsibilities as the director they replace.
• Take any necessary measures on behalf of the Network between meetings of the General Assembly.
• Solicit and receive donations and sponsorship on behalf of the Network.
• Consider and approve annual accounts within three months of the end of a designated financial year.
• Prepare an annual report on finance and activities for the distribution to members within six months of the end of a designated financial year.
• Decide, upon the recommendation of the President, to remove, by a majority vote of the full Board, any Director who does not fulfil the obligations outlined in article 41 and accepted as commitments to INQAAHE upon his or her election to the Board of Directors.

The Board works through committees, working groups and/or regional standing committees.

CEO’s tasks

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of INQAAHE serves as the organization’s senior executive leader, responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness of the Network. Appointed by the Board of Directors through a transparent and merit-based selection process, the CEO plays a pivotal role in ensuring alignment with INQAAHE’s Strategic Plan and mission.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership and Management: Directs the overall management and strategic vision of INQAAHE, ensuring alignment with the organizations mission and strategic plan.
• Board and Governance: Serves as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board and Executive Committee, providing strategic input and reporting on organizational performance.
• External Representation: Acts as the primary public representative of INQAAHE, engaging with stakeholders and fostering international partnerships.
• Program and Event Oversight: Supervises the execution of all programs and events, ensuring they meet the organization’s values and financial objectives.
• Membership Development: Leads initiatives to engage members and is accountable for achieving membership growth goals.
• Financial Management: Manages INQAAHEs assets and budgets, ensures accurate financial reporting, and reports on financial matters to the Executive Committee.
• Secretariat Management: Oversees the INQAAHE Secretariat, including staff recruitment, performance management, and fostering a collaborative and ethical work environment.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensures the organization’s compliance with legal obligations and promotes a culture of internal quality assurance by establishing KPIs and performance benchmarks.

Secretariat’s tasks

The Secretariat staff aims to achieve the Network’s goals and ensure that INQAAHE operates efficiently and effectively, aligning with its mission and objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Day-to-Day Operations: Manages daily tasks such as member interactions, website updates, and invoice management.
• Operational Efficiency: Ensures that INQAAHE operates smoothly and effectively to meet its goals.
• Strategic Support: Implements policies approved by the Board and provides direct support to the CEO.
• Financial and Administrative Duties: Oversees financial performance, coordinates audits, and manages procurement.
• Communication: Facilitates effective communication within the Network and with external stakeholders.
• Committee and Project Coordination: Supports the planning and execution of activities for various projects and committees.etariat.