Governance

The 2016 International Council of ISS, which was held in Melbourne in April 2016, modified ISS Statutes and By-laws. Then, they were revised, and new versions were adopted at the 2021 Extraordinary International Council, held in April 2021.

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.

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Ms Susan Jacobs

ISS USA

Member, Chair of the Governing Board

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Mr Hossam Abou Zeid

Independent

International Treasurer

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Mr Alfred Grixti

ISS MALTA

Member

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Ms Baitzar Gazerian

ISS GREECE

Member

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Ms Cherrie Short

Independent

Member

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Ms Cilgia Caratsch

ISS Switzerland

Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee

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Ms Elisabeth Kalman-Sarkis

Independent

Member

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Mr Howard Nadler

ISS Canada

Member

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Mr Jean Ayoub

ISS Secretary general

Non-voting member

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Ms Jacqueline Pascarl

independent

Member

Mr Kenneth Kwok

ISS Hong Kong

Member

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 and policies

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)