Governance

The International Social Service is a non-governmental, non-sectarian, non-profit and independent membership organisation, composed of representatives of national bodies pursuing common aims through a network of social work and legal services. ISS was established in Geneva in 1924 and conducts its activities in accordance with its Statutes and By-Laws.

THREE ORGANS

Three organs with different interconnected mandates assume oversight responsibilities and take decisions as needed in the interest of ISS.

The International Council (IC)

(IC)

The International Council is the General Assembly of ISS and represents the highest decision making body of the network. It meets once every two years and is composed of the President and Directors of ISS Members.

The IC could also include a representative from ISS Members a.i. and honorary members as observers. The IC determines ISS Policy and Objectives.

The Governing Board

(GB)

The Governing Board (GB) is composed of eleven members as well as the Secretary General (non-voting):

The Secretary General

(SG)

The Secretary General is the Chief Executive Officer of the ISS and is accountable to the Governing Board and the International Council. He/she coordinates the programs of the General Secretariat and its activities. In order to fulfill his/her duties, the Secretary General is supported by the staff and volunteers of the GS.

The Secretary General establishes the structure of the Secretariat, within the provisions of the approved budget.

Members of the governing board

The GB manages and governs the ISS network in between IC meetings. The GB is led by a Chair who is elected among the GB members. The GB meets two times a year. Among other responsibilities, it considers solutions to challenges faced by the ISS Network and approves the General Secretariat budget.

Elisabeth Kalman-Sarkis

Independent
Chair of the Governing Board

Iftekhar Ahmed

Independent
Member

Baitzar Gazerian

ISS Greece
Member

Julien Guillemard

Independent
Member

Elena Hatzidaki Martini

Independent
Member

Irene Mureithi

ISS Kenya
Member

Vicki Politis

ISS USA
Member

Ursula Rölke

ISS Germany
Member

Hugh Salmon

Independent
Member

Cherrie Short

Independent
Member

Sandrine Pepit

Liaison Officer/Transition Committee

Consultative committees



Two consultative groups complement the statutory organs and they are the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Casework Coordinators (CC).

  • The Professional Advisory Committee

  • The PAC is composed of ISS Members’ directors. The PAC has many responsibilities among which, to bring forward the collective expertise in the social work area and share good practice for the benefit of the ISS network. Via its chair and representative on the Governing Board, it advises the latter on technical matters arising and participates in the debate at this level. The PAC works closely with the General Secretariat and meets at least once a year. The PAC proposes activities at the international level such as projects and training seminars and participates as needed to International forums. The PAC works with the General Secretariat to build the network’s members’ and overall capacity and to develop its potential as well as its global presence.

  • The Casework Coordinators' Group

  • The Casework Coordinators’ group is composed of casework managers within the ISS Members or Members a.i. in direct contact with the ISS network. Coordinators are senior and experienced social workers who manage casework teams on a national level. Among many responsibilities, coordinators oversee and ensure best quality and timely casework management. Coordinators, in collaboration with the General Secretariat undertake training activities in the benefit of ISS professional staff.

The PAC is composed of ISS Members’ directors. The PAC has many responsibilities among which, to bring forward the collective expertise in the social work area and share good practice for the benefit of the ISS network. Via its chair and representative on the Governing Board, it advises the latter on technical matters arising and participates in the debate at this level. The PAC works closely with the General Secretariat and meets at least once a year. The PAC proposes activities at the international level such as projects and training seminars and participates as needed to International forums. The PAC works with the General Secretariat to build the network’s members’ and overall capacity and to develop its potential as well as its global presence.

The Casework Coordinators’ group is composed of casework managers within the ISS Members or Members a.i. in direct contact with the ISS network. Coordinators are senior and experienced social workers who manage casework teams on a national level. Among many responsibilities, coordinators oversee and ensure best quality and timely casework management. Coordinators, in collaboration with the General Secretariat undertake training activities in the benefit of ISS professional staff.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK



The ISS is guided by the following legal framework

The ISS is guided by the following legal framework

Read the full document here

Standards and Orientations on Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Read the full document here

Data Protection Policy

Read the full document here (under revision) 

Code of Conduct

Read the full document here

Policy on Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse

Read the full document here (under revision)