What is GSAT?
GSAT stands for the Global Support Assessment Tool, a Quality Standard owned by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). It assesses the compliance of a National Scout Organization (NSO) towards International Best Practices in Good Governance and Quality Scouting.
This Standard was developed in collaboration with SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance - www.sgs.com), the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company which has a well-proven track record in non-governmental organisation (NGO) audits.
It is based on a consolidation of requirements that are specific to the Scout Movement and on Good Governance Best Practices captured from the SGS NGO Benchmarking Standard (Read more at www.sgs.com/ngo).
The purpose of the GSAT Standard is to serve as a reference of best practices for NSOs. Its application will enable NSOs to assess their strengths and areas of improvement, facilitating the process of capacity strengthening and improving accountability to stakeholders.
What does GSAT assess?
GSAT assesses the compliance of an NSO at the national level, against Good Governance Best Practices and Quality Scouting. In other words, it checks if certain processes, procedures and policies are in place and if they are being implemented by the NSO.
10 Dimensions of best practices have been developed within the tool, each comprising between 5 to 14 criteria. Each Dimension focuses on the different facets of an organisation, promoting corresponding good practices and requirements. Each criterion refers to the risks that a NSO could face and the consequences in terms of image, performance, resources allocation and control mechanisms for the NSO, WOSM and potential grantors.
- Dimension 1: NSO-WOSM institutional requirements
- Dimension 2: Governance framework
- Dimension 3: Strategic framework
- Dimension 4: Integrity management
- Dimension 5: Communication, advocacy & image
- Dimension 6: Adults in Scouting
- Dimension 7: Resource allocation & financial controls
- Dimension 8: Youth Programme
- Dimension 9: Growth potential
- Dimension 10: Continuous improvement
Read more on each dimension on www.scout.org/gsatdimensions
Why does an NSO need GSAT?
The purpose of the GSAT Standard is to serve as a reference of Best Practices. Its application will enable NSOs to assess their strengths and identify areas of improvement, facilitating the process of capacity strengthening and improving its accountability to stakeholders.
Based on this, an NSO can opt to do or be recommended for an assessment:
- To assess the performance of its organisation against international best practices
- To get a general check of its organisation that can help identify its areas of improvements and help prioritise future areas of action to strengthen its capacity
- To define its National Strategic Plan by targeting opportunities for improvement
- Identify its strengths and engage in the Global Support consultancy approach by delivering support to other NSOs in its areas of strength
- To identify its areas of improvement and get the appropriate support and access resources including funding
- To access certification, demonstrate compliance and approach new donors
What are the different versions of GSAT ?
GSAT is available in three versions, enabling NSOs to access the tool and assess its capacity based on their needs and current situation.
The GSAT Self-Assessmentis conducted by the NSO or facilitated by a WOSM volunteer trained as “GSAT facilitator” and appointed by the Regions. This version, of which the Guidelines and Scoring Template are available on scout.org/gsat, allows NSOs to use the GSAT on its own, to evaluate internally and by themselves the performance of their organisation. The evaluation could either focus on all 10 Dimensions or a selection of Dimensions depending on the needs of the NSO. It can be conducted by an appointed team or carried out by sub-teams split by Dimensions before it is consolidated.
The WOSM Global Support Assessment is conducted by WOSM volunteers who have been trained as “Internal Assessors” and certified under the ISO 19011 Auditing Standard. This version allows a Region to use GSAT to support NSOs that are looking for an external perspective but are not yet ready for a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment. It is therefore, a “friendly” midway between the self-assessment and the GSAT 3rd Party Assessment.
The GSAT 3rd Party Assessment is conducted by SGS, a 3rd party certification company contracted by WOSM (www.sgs.com/gsat) and which supported the development of the Quality Standard. This is the original format that was offered at the beginning and for which facilitators were trained. A successful audit, which reaches the pre-defined level of compliance, leads to a certification.
How does an NSO determine the type of GSAT Assessment that is most appropriate?
Depending on the particular circumstances of the NSO and the Region, NSOs can determine which type of assessement is most appropriate through the following approaches:
Stepstone approach: This is a classic approach where the NSO first tries out the self-assessment internally, then asks the Region to conduct a 2nd party assessment, called the WOSM Global Support Assessment and ultimately going for the GSAT 3rd Party Assessment. The added value in this approach is that the NSO gets time to become acquainted with GSAT, improve accordingly, and is adequately prepared for each step, resulting in a higher chance for eventual certification.
Regionally guided approach: In this approach, the Region takes an active role in selecting an NSO that is ready for a specific assessment and liaises directly with that NSO. This also allows a Region to build a robust dataset of GSAT results which can be used to fine-tune their own support processes.
Donor-driven approach: Some NSOs might be interested to aim for certification to attract new donors. In such cases, the GSAT 3rd Party Assessment would be the ideal option, if recommended by the Region.
In any case, an NSO can choose to go through a:
- GSAT Self-Assessment to learn about the tool first
- WOSM Global Support Assessment to identify priority(ies) when starting its Strategic Planning and to monitor progress after a self-assessment or a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment
- GSAT 3rd Party Assessment to reach certification and approach new donors
What is the overall GSAT Assessment process?
The GSAT Assessment process is composed of 3 phases:
- Before the GSAT Assessment, which consists of the preparation phase
- During the GSAT Assessment, which consists of the actual 2-days assessment
- After the GSAT Assessment, which consists of the follow-up phase
Before the GSAT Assessment, regardless of the version used, time is dedicated to prepare. During this phase, the National Leadership will:
- Get to know GSAT and all its dimensions and criteria
- Seek for the “National Board” approval
- Appoint a team in charge and a coordinator
- Reach out to a GSAT expert to get the required support
- Gather all the evidences to be presented and used during the assessment
During the GSAT Assessment itself, time is organised based on the version used:
- If it is a GSAT Self-Assessment, a recommended process is fully detailed in the GSAT Self Assessment GUIDELINES.
- If it is a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment or WOSM Global Support Assessement, the assessment takes 2 days and gathers the 3 following parties involved:
- the National leadership of the NSO, who presents its evidence
- the GSAT Facilitator from WOSM, who when and where necessary facilitate the discussion between the assessor and the leadership of the NSO (e.g. when things are unclear or very Scouting-specific) to improve mutual understanding.
- the SGS Auditor / WOSM Assessor, who leads the assessment
While the support of GSAT facilitator during a WOSM Global Support Assessment is not a requirement, it is automatic for 3rd Party Assessments. When possible, the GSAT Facilitator comes one day before and stays one day after the assessment to, respectively, get to know the NSO leadership and answer last minute questions and initiate the follow-up phase. Read more on the role under the question 7. What is the role of a GSAT Facilitator?
After the GSAT Assessment, the National Leadership will focus on the follow-up on the outcomes of its assessment with the support of the GSAT Facilitator. In the case of a GSAT 3rd Party Audit or WOSM Global Support Assessment, the final report is sent within two weeks after the assessment. After receiving the assessment results, the NSO is expected to:
- Develop an Action Plan – within 3 months and with the support of the GSAT Facilitator
- Deliver against that plan – with the support of the Region/appointed Consultant
- Report on the progress made – through the Region
What is the role of a GSAT Facilitator?
GSAT Tool Facilitators are recommended by their Regions and appointed in consultation with their NSO. In the context of Global Support, GSAT Facilitators act as World Scouting Volunteers, are duly trained and have an expert working knowledge of the Global Support Assessment Tool.
Before the Assessment, the GSAT Facilitator advise the NSO on how best to prepare for the assessment, which documentation needs to be available, etc. Unless the facilitator has the opportunity to meet the NSO team before the assessment on the occasion of a scout event or others, the support to be delivered during the preparation is mainly done through virtual means.
During the Assessment, the role of the Facilitator is to observe and when and where necessary facilitate the discussion between the assessor and the leadership of the NSO (e.g. when things are unclear or very Scouting-specific) to improve mutual understanding. While the duration of a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment is two full days, it is desirable that a period of 3/4 days be set aside. When possible, the GSAT Facilitator comes one day before and stays one day after the assessment to, respectively, get to know the NSO leadership and answer last minute questions and initiate the follow-up phase.
Following the assessment, the Facilitator’s role is to support the NSO, in liaison with the Region, prioritise their Action Plan based on the assessment’s results. After receiving the assessment results, the NSO is expected to:
- Develop an Action Plan – within 3 months and with the support of the GSAT Facilitator
- Deliver against that plan – with the support of the Region/appointed Consultant
- Report on the progress made – through the Region
The role of the Facilitator here is therefore to make sure these steps are completed and that a follow-up takes place.
What are the costs and who covers them?
GSAT 3rd Party Assessment
All financial costs linked to a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment are covered by the yearly allocation that WOSM makes to assess between 15 to 20 NSOs every year. These include the SGS Auditor fees (of 10’500 CHF inclusive of travel fees) and the GSAT Facilitator’s travel costs (estimated at 1'200 CHF). NSOs that take part can also request reimbursement of local transportation and meals during the assessment by getting prior approval before engaging any cost. There are therefore no costs involved for the NSO, apart from the time and commitment to go through the entire capacity strengthening process.
WOSM Global Support Assessment
WOSM Assessments are allocated through a Regionally defined process, within the overall framework defined by the Global Support Core Group at World level. Costs borne by the NSO are therefore decided on a Regional level.
GSAT Self-Assessment
If an NSO opts for the Self-Assessment version of GSAT, there should be no related costs apart from the time commitment of the members of team in charge. Volunteers can join the different preparation and evaluation sessions through virtual means if they are not all located in the same area.
How does the GSAT scoring work?
For each criterion detailed requirements have been worked out and are captured in Scoring Guidelines on which the SGS Auditors or WOSM Assessors (depending on the version) are briefed.
Based on these Scoring Guidelines, the SGS Auditor or WOSM Assessor (depending on the version) will identify, based on evidence presented, the level of compliance for each criteria and award the corresponding score.
For some criteria the scoring is fairly straight forward, for instance your financial accounts are either yearly audited (score 3) or not (score 0). However, others are more complex. As a rule of thumb, the criteria are assessed on the following levels:
Score 0: No evidence at all exists that the NSO has done anything around this criterion
Score 1: Evidence exists that the NSO has done something in the past around this criterion
Score 2: Evidence exists that the NSO has an up-to-date and implemented policy around this criterion
Score 3: Evidence exists that the NSO has an up-to-date and implemented policy around this criterion, which is regularly evaluated and refreshed
N/A: Not applicable: Due to non-compliance of another criterion that is linked or due to the organisation or country specificities.
What is a Major Non-Conformity?
Across the Standard, 15 criteria were identified as key good practices/principles to be considered as essential, “the minimum required” for a well-functioning organisation. These 15 criteria are therefore identified as red flags, “major non-conformities”, and if not met should be considered as priorities in the assessment follow-up.
In the case of a GSAT 3rd party assessment, irrespective of the overall score, the identification of any major non-conformity could prevent the awarding of the GSAT certification.
These criteria to the legal, governance, strategy, communication, programme, Adults in Scouting and finance structures. While all the criteria should be given attention in preparation to an assessment these require special attention.
- NSO-WOSM INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 0101
- GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK: 0204
- STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK: 0301, 0302, 0310
- INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT: 0401
- COMMUNICATION, ADVOCACY & PUBLIC IMAGE: 0501
- ADULTS IN SCOUTING: 0601, 0608
- RESOURCE ALLOCATION & FINANCIAL CONTROLS: 0702, 0706, 0708, 0710
- YOUTH PROGRAMME: 0801, 0807
What is a GSAT Certification?
Certification is only applicable through GSAT 3rd Party Assessments (Audit conducted by SGS). If an NSO reaches a certain level of attainment towards, a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment can certify that this level of attainment is reached.
In our case, a GSAT Certificate is awarded to an NSO, provided that it:
- Has reached an overall score above 70%,
- Does not show any Major Non-Conformity
-
Has reached a minimum score of 50% on:
Dimension 2 – Governance Framework
Dimension 3 – Strategic Framework
Dimension 6 – Adults in Scouting
Dimension 7 – Resources Allocations and Financial Controls
Dimension 8 – Youth Programme
The GSAT Certification is valid for three years.
The advantage of a GSAT Certification is to show potential donors, governments and other stakeholders the Standard that you have reached (comparable, for example, with the ISO standard). Certification can also be something to strive for as it is a a recognition of successful hard work.
Once an NSO is certified through a GSAT 3rd Party Assessment (Audit conducted by SGS), they receive the “WOSM Quality Standard” approval mark (see illustration). This uniquely designed logo recognises organisations that have received the SGS Certification. The purpose of this mark is to illustrate that your organisation has subjected itself to a voluntary system measuring accountability to stakeholders and compliance with Scouting Best Practices. Moreover, it shows that such assessment has been performed by a strictly independent 3rd party, on the basis of International Best Practices. The logo presented may appear in advertising and stationary materials as per the SGS Mark Usage Guidelines, which is sent together with the certification mark.
