Institutional strengthening

We successfully implemented several key technological upgrades to improve efficiency and security. The Sage 300 and ESS systems were migrated to Sage Managed Cloud Services on Microsoft Azure, providing real-time access for human resources and finance personnel with 99.5 per cent uptime and automated daily backups. We upgraded our organisational antivirus security to ESET Protect Advanced, providing improved protection against ransomware and zero-day threats, full disk encryption capabilities and enhanced multilayered security. Our office Wi-Fi system was upgraded with Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points and Cloud Key Controller, providing centralised network management, improved scalability and enhanced reliability with consistent connectivity for all employees.

We successfully rolled out the Bamboo HR Information System, streamlining human resources processes and improving efficiency. We enhanced recruitment practices with new interview rating tools and an updated organisational chart. Learning and development remained a cornerstone of our strategy, with the introduction of wellbeing webinars and Learning Fridays as an all-staff cross-team learning platform. During the reporting period, 29 staff enrolled in Coursera with 14 completing courses, contributing to 56 total course completions. We conducted 18 organisation-wide training sessions and 11 staff pursued additional training initiatives.

The implementation of the Unified Code of Ethics progressed significantly, consolidating seven core policies covering accountability, conduct, feedback and safeguarding. This comprehensive framework ensures all staff, including new colleagues, are trained and accountable. The code strengthens compliance, ethical engagement and trust at every level, contributing to a more transparent and resilient organisational culture.

Our commitment to accountability was recognised externally in the 2024 Accountability Report review by Accountable Now, which commended CIVICUS for advancing staff engagement, revising key policies in response to challenging contexts and embedding a culture of learning and accountability. Our global footprint continues to broaden with diverse representation across multiple regions, while recruitment strategies remain anchored in equity and inclusion. These efforts were recognised externally, with CIVICUS featuring in the Fair Share Monitor 2024 as one of the top 10 organisations globally that maintain a fair share of women in leadership.

We have reviewed and finalised our environmental policy following peer consultations around sector best practices. Updated practices include identification and monitoring of essential travel, consideration of carbon dioxide emissions inherent to itineraries balanced against cost to donors, train over plane preferences and continued monitoring of data to create a standardised measurable baseline.

The Innovation and Quality Management team advanced CIVICUS’s commitment to resilient systems through the refinement and piloting of tools and processes to support our convenings, grant making and programme coordination practice.