Sphere Standards
The minimum standards for humanitarian response, ensuring the right to life with dignity for those affected by crisis. Applied across our WASH, food security, health, and emergency response work.
How We Work
Community roots. Operational rigour.
Strong governance and operational systems are how good intentions become measurable results.
From intentions to measurable results.
DCI combines deep community rootedness with the operational systems and governance standards required to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programmes. Every shilling invested translates into measurable, sustainable impact through clear policies, qualified people, and verifiable processes that meet the expectations of donors, beneficiaries, and the communities we serve.
Governance
Strategic oversight, accountable management.
DCI is governed by a Board of Directors that meets regularly to set strategic direction, approve annual workplans and budgets, review programme and financial performance, and ensure accountability to beneficiaries and donors. The Board includes individuals with deep expertise in development practice, public sector leadership, financial management, and Northern Kenyan community contexts.
Day-to-day operations are led by a senior management team that reports to the Board, with sector specialists overseeing each Development Objective. Clear policies, reporting lines, and decision-making frameworks ensure accountability flows from the Board through management to field teams and back to the communities and partners we serve.
Operational Pillar 01
Financial Management & Compliance.
DCI maintains rigorous financial controls and transparent reporting practices that meet the highest international donor standards.
- Annual external audits by reputable Kenyan audit firms, with audit reports shared transparently with the Board, regulators, and key donors
- Donor-specific financial reporting tailored to each grant agreement, with narrative reports, expenditure reports, and verifiable supporting documentation
- Transparent procurement procedures with multiple-quote requirements, documented vendor selection criteria, and conflict-of-interest declarations
- Multi-currency grant management with appropriate exchange rate policies and segregated accounting per grant
- Internal financial controls including segregation of duties, dual signatory requirements, and regular financial reviews
- Compliance with Kenyan tax obligations, NGO regulatory requirements, and PBO Act 2013 reporting standards
Operational Pillar 02
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning.
DCI's MEAL approach generates the evidence base that drives programme decisions, demonstrates accountability, and builds organisational learning.
- Baseline and end-line surveys for every project, with mid-line reviews on multi-year programmes
- Real-time data collection via KoboCollect and ODK, enabling rapid course correction and timely reporting
- Log-frame-aligned indicator tracking against agreed targets, with regular variance analysis
- Community scorecards and beneficiary feedback mechanisms that surface issues directly from those we serve
- Programme-level evaluations conducted by independent evaluators, with management responses and learning agendas
- Knowledge management practices that capture lessons across projects, sectors, and counties for institutional learning
Operational Pillar 03
Safeguarding & Accountability.
DCI takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, and harassment, and embeds protection across every programme.
- Organisational safeguarding policy covering child protection, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and staff conduct
- Mandatory safeguarding training for all staff, volunteers, and partners at recruitment and at refresher intervals
- Confidential community complaints and feedback mechanisms accessible to all beneficiaries, with documented response timelines
- Protection mainstreaming across all programmes, with safety, dignity, access, accountability, and participation as design principles
- Disability-inclusive programming, ensuring people with disabilities have equitable access to services, infrastructure, and decision-making spaces
- Investigation and reporting protocols aligned with sector-wide standards, with cooperation across sector working groups
Standards Alignment
Aligned with international standards.
DCI's programming, governance, and operational practices are aligned with leading humanitarian and development standards.
Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)
Nine commitments to communities affected by crisis. Embedded in our accountability, complaints, and quality assurance practices.
Do No Harm
Conflict-sensitive programming that recognises every intervention has impacts beyond its immediate goal. Particularly important in our governance, peacebuilding, and refugee work.
GESI Mainstreaming
Recognising that vulnerability and opportunity are unevenly distributed by gender, age, disability, and social status. Embedded in our design, delivery, and evaluation processes.
Quality Assurance
Every project, an opportunity to strengthen the next.
Our quality assurance approach combines structured project cycle management, regular internal reviews, peer learning across counties and sectors, and external evaluations. Findings translate into management responses and organisational learning that shape future programming. We treat every project as both a service to communities and an opportunity to strengthen the next.