Quality, accountability and safeguarding (QAS) in action: A smart guide for aid actors

This Guide ‘QAS in Action’ aims to support a holistic and contextualised application of Quality, Accountability, and Safeguarding (QAS) from a people-centered perspective, rather than organisational. This Guide is designed for anyone dedicated to supporting communities’ life with dignity in a transparent and safe manner. It will benefit specifically aid actors working locally, in communities’ living areas.

Why QAS matters?

A QAS Framework is essential for translating our core humanitarian values into actions. It aims to ensure that these values are consistently applied, resulting in meaningful impact for the communities and people we serve.

Why is this Guide ‘QAS in Action’ needed?

After decades of QAS promotion, we recognise that its application
remains fragmented across actors and contexts, through the HDP Nexus. This inconsistency hinders progress in serving communities effectively. Hopefully, we have collectively reached a momentum to formalise the aid sector’s learning. This Guide ‘QAS in Action’ offers concise guidance and practical tools to apply QAS in the aid sector, focusing on areas like learning, collaboration, and safeguarding.

Who is this Guide ‘QAS in Action’ for?

This Guide ‘QAS in Action’ is designed for all actors committed to applying QAS in practical, context-specific ways. It is not limited to any specific roles or organisations. It rather addresses the broader need for both strategic and operational application of QAS. This Guide ‘QAS in Action’ will benefit specifically those working locally, close to communities.

Understanding the QAS Framework

Key essential areas have been identified for QAS application: learning, analysis, collaboration, implementation and transition. These are enriched with an analysis of cross-sectoral themes, such as power dynamics, organisational versus people-centered approaches, the Nexus, climate change, innovation and the use of digital tools.