Context and Introduction:
July 2011, the Joke Waller Hunters Initiative selected Mr. Abdul Waheed Jamali as grantee to develop his leadership skills in the field of environmental governance, sustainable natural resources management and agrarian reforms. During his fellowship, he founded this environmental organization and got it registered on 20th February 2012 under Societies Act of 1860 in Pak
istan. The organization is being looked after by an elected Executive Committee and our core values are transparency, accountability and equality. Vision:
“We envision a transformed community wherein stakeholders are conscientized and actively participating in alternative social infrastructure which promotes environmental sustainability, diversified economy, genuine people’s participation and community-managed resources towards a balanced ecosystem agri-based industry and decentralized governance for the common good and general welfare". Mission:
"We commit ourselves to the transformation of the people in the community towards people empowerment through organizing consciousness raising, community-based resource management, rural reconstruction and research and policy advocacy". Our Approach:
Holism: SEARCH has a holistic understanding of the human being and communities. As an organization, its self-defined mandate is one of “Total Human Development” for the individuals and communities it serves and thus maintains active programs in the economic, political, cultural, spiritual, environmental and social sector. People-Centered Participation: SEARCH strives to move beyond dogmatic political ideologies and social doctrines by putting people in command of their development agenda through provision of education, information, technology and capital. There is always a conscious effort embedded in every activity utilizing process of consultation with cooperators and partners. Self-Reliance: SEARCH is actively working to empower the people and organizations with which it works thus it trains people in areas such as rural self-help credit schemes, cooperative management and creative social entrepreneurship. Conservation of Natural Resources: SEARCH recognizes the overriding importance of preserving the community’s natural resource base in the context of a long-term sustainable development agenda. As SEARCH operates in primarily agricultural communities, it believes that failure to protect and preserve this natural resource base could have dire consequences for the community. As such, it continues to monitor the condition of these natural resources and explores new approaches to sustainable resource management. Cultural Integrity: SEARCH recognizes that the greatest riches of a person which he/she cannot be deprived of the culture. It is the culture that makes a person and community; the identity of one’s life. The ability to enhance the culture of the community through development is a priority dimension of SEARCH in its work. Working Strategy:
The main strategic thrust of SEARCH is to contribute its role in shaping up of official policies within the framework of global environmental and sustainable development agenda. SEARCH's strategy is to motivate and involve stakeholders including experts, volunteers, media, students, government agencies and other stakeholders in achieving its vision. SEARCH has been using advocacy, public awareness, research, participatory learning, networking, public interest legal actions as its tools. SEARCH has also been involved in Campaigning, Alliance Building, Social Mobilization, Capacity Building, Rural reconstruction, and Natural Disaster Response. Organization's Outreach and Capacity:
Most of SEARCH's work is of networking, capacity building and advocacy in nature which is spread over national scale. However, SEARCH believes in solid action and implements projects in the field. Hence, for last 4 years, SEARCH has been focusing on four districts in Sindh, Pakistan. SEARCH's head office is based in Hyderabad. SEARCH has however expanded its outreach in drought and climate affected areas all over the Sindh. SEARCH is directly covering 11 districts of Sindh & two Districts of Baluchistan through networking & linkages process. Organizational Competencies and Capacities:
SEARCH has experienced and qualified human resource which possesses demonstrated skills to handle the projects technically as well as financially according to set TORs and to the complete satisfaction of funding partners. SEARCH keeps with continuous process of capacity building of staff in field work, monitoring, data entry, finance procedures, report writing and making presentations. The organization believes that human development is the key for sustainable development and since its inception, SEARCH has been involved in various kinds of projects concerning research, advocacy, social mobilization and awareness and capacity building with gender sensitivity as cross cutting theme. SEARCH's competency is capacity building, social mobilization, research and analysis, while documentary making is also additional skill of the organization. Organizational Values:
1. Equal respects to all within and outside the organization.
2. Equal opportunity of employment. 3. Participatory approach for decision making.
3. Equality, equity and non-discrimination at all levels and in all forms.
4. Sensitivity to the customs and traditions of local cultures.
5. Recognizing beneficiaries as dignified human beings, not hopeless objects deserving alms.
6. Gender equality - Commitment - Team spirit - Creativity.
7. Conservation of resources.
8. SEARCH is an equal opportunity employer and encourages female candidates for employment at SEARCH. Management System:
SEARCH has developed clear and comprehensive accounting policies for its financial management system. Documented policies and procedures provide guidance and structure to staff; a basis for consistent treatment of financial data and the foundation for controls and financial accountability. SEARCH has:
1. Financial Policy.
2. HR Policy.
3. Procurement Policy.
4. Gender Policy.
5. Resource Conservation Policy. Structure and Governance:
SEARCH is composed of a General Body of members. The governance is vested in a Managing Body of 7 members of the Governing Body. Governing Body is involved in policy issues of the organization. The Governing Body members appoint head of the organization that is fully responsible for overall activities of the organization. Beside this, SEARCH also has a Technical Advisory committee. The advisory committee is comprised of eminent persons from various sectors (NGOs, government, industry, academia, media, etc.) and environment related disciplines such as Agriculture, rural development, forestry, water management, GIS etc. Each program at SEARCH is being implemented by the concerned Coordinator through proper implementation of activities according to the work plan. However, the head office regularly monitors field activities, review meetings, field visits and progress reports.
