The complexity of leadership in an International Non-Governmental Organisations Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs 9 March 2010 Dr Colm Ó Cuanacháin

Contested leadership in membership based organisations - Amnesty as a Movement Challenges from within, as stakeholders use different understandings to legitimise different directions Questions from outside, as partners and observers feel they have legitimate space to question a big players No bottom line, and the lack of good measurement of impact, means a lack of steerage. The tyranny of multiple urgent (life or death) priorities and interestes with high expectations of the relatively well resourced players How leaders in global organisations embrace and react to these real challenges defines the level of success in the organisation.

Amnesty International: a multi-site, multi-governed organisation International Executive Committee International Council Meeting National boards, committees in over 80 countries Local groups, networks, committees Secretary General International Secretary (IS) National directors National and local offices and staff 2.8 million members 10 million plus activists 500 staff at IS 1500 at country level

Balancing the internal and external legitimacies The strength, capacity, credibility, and validity that is inherent in a membership base of 2.8 million is invaluable. There is a cost to democracy, and an internally oriented resource requirement that must be balanced. There can be a tendency to overvalue internal audiences at the expense of external reality and other legitimate voices. Management of change, of conflict and of operations is more complex, more demanding, yet the management toolbox is underdeveloped. The organisational history, culture, and weight the comes with the territory in Amnesty can be difficult to navigate, slow to change, and can be self-serving if not managed provocatively.

The conundrum of multiple accountabilities Secretary General Board (IEC) National chairs and boards Management and staff at the IS Partners and Human Rights Defenders Beneficiaries and Rights Holders Media Members, groups at Local level Directors, staff in countries Council Meeting, Chairs Forum The complexity and multiple layers of accountability can overload and the resultant bureaucracy can undermine leadership, decision making and effectiveness. The solution for Amnesty lies in strengthening leadership - management with governance - and looking at the people and process side, not just on the systems and structures. It is impossible to provide the necessary legitimacy, control, responsibility and responsiveness across all these axes!

The dilemma! If we don’t get the balance right… If we don’t manage the conundrum… We are less likely to achieve our vision or to effectively address human rights violations! And we change more slowly… React ineffectively… And learn less…

Trying to get the balance right Leadership = Governance + Management GovernanceManagement Strategic Operational Develop strategy for specific area of work Hire staff, approve activities Spokesperson, representation Set vision and mission The energy line!

The Energy Line The grey zone where roles and functions of volunteers/board members can be confused with staff/management is the centre-point of leadership conflict in membership based NGOs It is also the nerve centre, where organisations can be at their most effective and most innovative The win-win situation is where volunteers and staff lead as one! But this is dependent on strong organisational policies, robust processes, and great people!

Investing in People Leadership is about keeping the focus on the people, the processes and policies. And not becoming fixated on the systems, structures and shape. Its about attracting, keeping and nurturing people with the attitudes, understands and skills needed.

Process management Managing expectations Managing inclusion and participation Managing learning and knowledge Managing processes and policies Managing planning and phasing Managing relations and partnerships Managing conflict and change This requires a strong and shared organisation wide planning and prioritisation process!

Global priority statement Sections’ Operational plans IS Operational plan Local work International work Global work Strategic The global direction! Global operational projects Resourced from both international/IS & national budgets Delivered by IS &/or national entities Global work International work IS specific work How does Amnesty plan together: international, national & global Operational The global glue! Integrated Strategic Plan Global key directions The changes we seek The way we must work The innovation we expect The resources we will mobilise

…and the plug! Join Amnesty International, and make a difference!