Introduction about Zamzam
Zamzam Foundation is a national nonprof it, humanitarian and development NGO founded in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1992, with a mission to serve the most vulnerable people affected by human and natural crises in the Horn of Af rica.
Our thematic areas of work are education, WASH, food security and economic development, orphan and child care, youth and women empowerment and promotion of peace-building, conflict transformation and good governance.
Background
Zamzam Foundation was established in response to the severe humanitarian emergency needs that resulted at the outbreak of civil war and total collapse of the central government in 1991.
This crisis, combined with a severe famine which decimated almost a quarter of a million people, left abject suffering and poverty in its wake.
For the last three decades, Zamzam has worked at grassroots levels in all regions of Somalia, has gained a lot of experience and knowledge, and is well-positioned to respond to the multiple needs of the most vulnerable communities affected by recurrent conflict and climatic shocks.
Our headquarters are in Mogadishu, with field operation offices across the Somali regions and international offices in Kenya, Turkey and most recently in the UK.
Organizational Structure
Zamzam Foundation is legally registered as a humanitarian and development organization with the Federal Republic of Somalia and all federal member states.
The foundation complies with all requirements of local laws including taxation, labour laws, and NGO operation. Our organizational structure is updated, with a clear division of responsibilities and lines of authority. Zamzam Foundation’s Board of Trustees (BOT) is the highest governing body, which supervises the Executive committee (chaired by the Director General and made up of key Executive Managers supervising in turn their teams of line managers).
Organizational matters, including financial, human resources or procurement, are guided by policy manuals developed by the organization, and approved by the Board of Trustees. Executive managers implement overall strategic and annual operational plans and budgets that cascade out the 5-year strategic plan (2020-2024), to implement activities and achieve milestones, outputs, and other higher objectives, with detailed financial budgets to support the annual operation plan.
We have ongoing institutional building and capacity enhancement for the foundation and all its staff.
Technical and Support Staff
Fund Management
Humanitarian Principles, Policies and Code of Conduct
Zamzam has more than 500 staff across Somali regions, including 63 in the head office, with Senior management team, core program staff, technical specialists in various sectors, MEAL specialists, finance, HR and supply chain core staff, area/regional managers, field staff, Health facilities medical staff, teachers and community workers.
In addition to paid staff, Zamzam attracts many volunteers and a cohort of apprentices and interns who go on to become either Zamzam staff
or community leaders in diverse areas of society
Zamzam’s average annual budget is between US $12 and $15 million.
Our comprehensive financial policy establishes processes and procedures to ensure an effective internal financial control system, compliance
with donors and other stakeholders, and audit requirements and maintenance of accurate financial records, accompanied by independent monitoring and evaluation by the donors themselves.
Our auditors are a reputable, independent company based in Nairobi, Kenya.
We have in place adequate and reliable systems and structures that ensure the achievement of our predetermined goals and objectives in addition to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the way we utilize all financial resources and transactions.
This is not only to build and maintain trust with our donors and partners but even more importantly, to honour our vision, mission, and core values in responding to the dire needs of our most vulnerable people.
Zamzam is committed to the Core Humanitarian Standards and conducts periodic trainings on CHS for its staff.
The organization Code of Conduct and Ethics establishes rules to maintain high standards of integrity and impartiality, and is an integral part of employees’ contracts.
Each employee undergoes training and is informed about the CHS and Zamzam codes of conduct at induction.
Zamzam has a clear, zero tolerance policy on fraud, bribery, corruption, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguarding policies and modern slavery, etc., to align with current international polices with regards to charitable organizations.