Our Audit Services
Three independent pathways to humanitarian accountability — designed to meet organisations wherever they are in their quality journey.
CHS Certification
The most rigorous form of independent quality assurance available in the humanitarian sector. Certification confirms that an organisation fully meets all nine commitments of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.
- Three-year certification cycle
- Annual maintenance audits
- Independent pass/fail decision by Certification Committee
- Certificate can be withdrawn if standards slip
- Recognised by FCDO, EU ECHO, and others
CHS Independent Verification
A three-year progressive process that demonstrates an organisation’s continuous, measurable improvement against the CHS — without a binary pass/fail outcome. Ideal for organisations on the path toward full certification.
- Year 1: Initial verification audit
- Year 2: Progress report and review
- Year 3: Renewal audit
- No pass/fail — progress-based
- Recognised as a step toward CHS Certification
CHS Benchmarking
A one-time diagnostic audit that provides a snapshot of an organisation’s current alignment to the Core Humanitarian Standard. No pass/fail. No certification outcome. Just an honest picture of where you stand.
- One-off audit — no follow-up requirement
- Detailed scoring across all nine commitments
- Confidential results (your choice to publish)
- Practical improvement recommendations
- Good entry point for first-time organisations
Additional Services
Beyond our three core audit pathways, HQAI offers specialised services that meet specific donor and organisational needs.
ECHO Ex-Ante Assessment Services
HQAI is contracted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) to conduct ex-ante assessments of organisations wishing to become ECHO partners. These assessments evaluate organisational capacity, financial management, and accountability to beneficiaries.
CHS+ Combined Audits
A combined multi-purpose audit that fulfils the requirements of CHS Certification alongside other assessment frameworks simultaneously — reducing the audit burden on organisations that face multiple compliance requirements from different donors or standards bodies.
Internal Auditor Training
HQAI offers training for internal auditors and compliance staff within humanitarian organisations — equipping them to lead effective self-assessments, prepare for external audits, and embed quality and accountability into organisational culture.
Audit Readiness Support
Pre-audit advisory support to help organisations understand what HQAI auditors look for, identify gaps before the formal process begins, and prepare staff for field visits and interviews — without compromising audit independence.
Service comparison
Which service is right for your organisation?
| CHS Certification | Ind. Verification | Benchmarking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3-year cycle + annual | 3-year progressive | One-off |
| Pass/Fail? | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Certificate issued? | ✓ Yes | ✓ Verification mark | ✗ Report only |
| Donor recognition | FCDO, ECHO, OCHA | Partial | Internal only |
| Public listing | ✓ HQAI website | ✓ HQAI website | Optional |
| Subsidy available? | ✓ Via Fund | ✓ Via Fund | ✓ Via Fund |