How SPAG is governed, organised and held to account
The Sudan Policy Advisory Group operates under its Statutes, its Internal Regulations, its Governance and Organisational Framework and a set of approved institutional policies. Together, these define who decides what, how decisions are recorded, and how the Association is held to account.
The structure keeps institutional oversight separate from day-to-day management. The statutory bodies set direction and oversee the Association, two standing committees provide integrity oversight and specialist advice, and a professional management team delivers SPAG’s research, capacity-development and partnership work.
Governance framework
Four instruments set the rules
Each instrument has a defined role. Where they differ, the Statutes prevail. Key documents are published; internal instruments are available to members and partners on request.
Statutes
The founding document: the Association’s purpose, membership, governing bodies, resources and voting rules.
Read the StatutesInternal Regulations
The Règlement intérieur, which sets out how the Statutes are applied in practice, within the voting rules the Statutes lay down.
Governance & Organisational Framework
Roles, responsibilities and reporting lines, supported by a Delegation of Authority Framework that sets the limits of delegated decisions.
Institutional policies
The Code of Conduct and specialist policies on integrity, safeguarding, data protection, research ethics and finance.
See all policiesStructure
Oversight, advice and delivery
General Assembly and Executive Bureau
Set direction, approve key institutional matters and oversee the Association, as provided in the Statutes.
Two standing committees
The Governance and Ethics Committee and the Advisory Committee provide independent review and specialist guidance.
Executive management
The Director-General and functional teams implement programmes and manage day-to-day operations.
General Assembly
Comprises all duly admitted members and meets at least once a year. It elects the members of the Executive Bureau, approves the annual report and accounts, and decides the matters the Statutes reserve to it.
Statutes, Art. 11–12Executive Bureau
Administers the Association within its purpose and the powers of the General Assembly. Elected for three years, it includes at least a President and a Secretary-General-Treasurer; with three or more members, the two functions may be held by different people.
Statutes, Art. 9–10President
Provides overall institutional and strategic leadership, represents SPAG in accordance with the Statutes, and ensures consistency between its institutional framework, mission and external engagement.
Statutes, Art. 10How decisions are made
Each decision sits with the body that holds the authority
Authority follows the Statutes and the internal governance instruments. Decisions are recorded in resolutions, minutes and official institutional records.
General Assembly
Reserved powersElects the Executive Bureau and decides the matters that require the approval of the membership.
Executive Bureau
Collective decisionsProvides institutional governance and strategic oversight, deciding collectively under its internal procedures.
Director-General
Delegated authorityTakes executive and operational decisions delegated by the Bureau, within the limits set by the Delegation of Authority Framework.
Standing committees
Independent review and specialist advice
Both committees support the Executive Bureau. They are advisory and non-executive: they review, advise and recommend, while decisions remain with the body that holds that authority under the Statutes.
Governance and Ethics Committee
Helps ensure that SPAG works with integrity, impartiality and transparency, and that its policies are applied consistently.
- Oversees how the Code of Conduct and integrity policies are applied, and recommends updates.
- Provides ethics review for higher-risk research and projects, in line with the Research Ethics Policy.
- Advises on declaring and managing conflicts of interest, including for office-holders.
- Monitors how complaints and integrity concerns are handled, without replacing the confidential reporting channel.
- Reports each year to the Executive Bureau and the General Assembly. Members step aside from any matter in which they have an interest.
Advisory Committee
Brings senior specialists together to strengthen the quality, rigour and relevance of SPAG’s research and capacity-development work.
- Provides independent technical and methodological advice on the research agenda and annual programme.
- Supports quality assurance and peer review of studies and publications before release.
- Advises the working groups in their areas of expertise.
- Contributes to the design of training and capacity-development programmes.
- Members serve in a personal, voluntary capacity, with no decision-making or management authority.
Executive management
A professional team for day-to-day delivery
SPAG’s professional management is led by the Director-General, who oversees implementation, organisational performance and coordination under the authority of the President and the Executive Bureau.
The Director-General is supported by a Management Subcommittee and by Deputy Directors-General, Chiefs, Directors and Heads of Function.
Research, Policy & Strategy
Research, analysis, strategic planning support and the quality of SPAG’s publications.
Programmes, Partnerships & External Engagement
Capacity-development programmes, institutional partnerships and communication with partners.
Data, Innovation & Technology
Data systems, digital tools and innovation that support research and operations.
Operations & Corporate Services
Finance, administration, human resources and compliance with SPAG’s policies.
Accountability and participation
Records, safeguards and a voice for members
Records and reporting
SPAG keeps governance, financial and institutional records. The Executive Bureau oversees governance, and the General Assembly receives the reporting required by the Statutes. Financial transparency
Integrity safeguards
Policies on conflicts of interest, safeguarding, data protection and financial management add further oversight. Concerns go through a confidential channel with protection against retaliation. Raise a concern
Participation
Members and contributors take part through General Assembly meetings, consultations, committees and working groups. Advisory and temporary structures may be set up where expertise is needed. Working groups
Governance documents
This page is a summary for information. Where it differs from the Statutes or a duly adopted policy, the Statutes and that policy prevail. The structure may be adjusted as the Association develops.
