Organization Structure
The structure of PUNSAA encourages transparency, democracy and accountability. PUNSAA’s leadership is democratically elected on a biennial basis as indicated in its by-laws and governing policies. Below is a brief introduction to the platform’s structure:
General Assembly
The General Assembly (GA) consists of representatives of all 99 PUNSAA member networks, umbrellas and consortiums. The GA determines the policies and main areas of work that PUNSAA will pursue. It takes decisions on the proposals submitted by the Board of Directors. The GA has the authority to adopt, add, modify or amend the by-laws and internal policies and procedures of the Association. It also elects the chairman, the vice chairman, and members of Board of Directors and supporting committees based on sector, geographical and gender representation. The General Assembly will approve the long-term plans, audited financial statements, annual budget, and the progress activity report submitted by the Association’s chairman. It also reviews institutional accomplishments against the plans after the previous GA session.
Board of Directors (BoD)
PUNSAA’s Board of Directors are unpaid volunteers who are trustees of the Association who represent the interests of the various NSAs in Puntland, and other stakeholders, communities and donors. The Board of Directors is made up of 17 members, including the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary General, treasurer, regional focal points and members, and 25 per cent of the 17 members are reserved for female representatives. The current BoD sees a composition of 53 per cent male representatives and 47 per cent female representatives, thus far superseding the minimum quota of female representation. Members are distributed on the basis of the four NSA categories (private sector, civil society, professional and religious leaders, and traditional elders), which will be proportional to the GA and drawn from the different regions in Puntland.
Secretariat
The PUNSAA Secretariat is in charge of undertaking day-to-day activities. It is led by the Executive Director and is staffed by a program coordinator, advocacy and fund raising officer, finance and operation manager, communications and IT officer, administration officer. It liaises between the Board of Directors and international and local partners; regularly communicates with the member networks, umbrellas and consortiums to make updates about the Association’s activities; and plans and coordinates the advocacy and thematic working group priorities. The Secretariat follows up on proposals and requests submitted to donors and partners, and formulates proposals for action that are submitted to the Board of Directors.
