Thank you very much Jordan, Avri! I wonder why while we focus so much on the individual roles, and so little on the organisational structure in which they find themselves, which in my view should be as important. ICANN staff acts and supports quite different activities, from technical operations, to name resource allocation and relevant contract compliance functions . Not to mention support functions for the very different parts of the SOs/ACs, that may find themselves from time to time pursuing divergent objectives and from time to time representing positions at odds with each other. Not to forget a global outreach program that sometimes reminds me more of the UN and Foreign Departments, far from the narrow remit of ICANN. I see as many possible conflicts for Staff in the “interactions” with Stakeholders in all those different roles, as for the individuals themselves when they take their own decisions. More over, in your planned meeting with the CEO, I think it is the organisational structure and balance between staff of different area´s, where we could expect more interaction with the CEO. More context on the influence of organisational structure and interactions (within the narrow remit) would give a more realistic setting to evaluate Staff´s accountability, particularly so for the group of VPs, Area Directors and other high ranking staff. I think that this group should be able to evaluate if the present organisational arrangements guarantee transparency in the accountability rules, and if some other checks and balances of organisational nature are required. From that perspective, either the paper deserves a full section on organisational structure and interactions, or we need to add this discussion to the agenda of the group. Wish you all a nice weekend Carlos Raúl Gutiérrez +506 8837 7176 Skype: carlos.raulg Current UTC offset: -6.00 (Costa Rica) On 29 Sep 2016, at 20:09, Jordan Carter wrote:
Hi everyone
Thanks for your work on the call this morning, and sorry about my audio again.
I've made a preliminary start on questions for more info, based on the scope of our work in the WS1 report.
Here is a link to the Google doc, which will allow anyone to comment on draft questions:
< https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QvsZC-oEDd0L0D1faBd4b3VXjEAv7jHz0wnQyi5j...
Please add your thoughts, comments, additional questions, etc, to that document, so we can evolve and improve it.
I've pasted a copy below for those who want to see my first cut in their email.
Information to Obtain/Questions to Ask
The subgroup working on Staff Accountability as part of CCWG WorkStream 2 is developing questions to ask to obtain more information about current Staff Accountability arrangements at ICANN. The following questions are a WORKING DRAFT, and once finalised will be given to ICANN with a request for a response.
It seems likely that some of this information will already be published, and some may be documented internally. Some may not be documented or may not be available for release for a range of reasons. These questions may at the minimum inspire discussion with ICANN and among ICANN staff.
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Where is there documentation that concisely and authoritatively sets out ICANN’s view of the respective roles and responsibilities of ICANN’s Board, staff and community of participants in the organisation’s work?
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What powers have been delegated by the ICANN Board to the Chief Executive and/or to staff more broadly, either with a need for an approval/consent/information check with the Board or for staff implementation?
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What elements of the following document/s (or similar documents/systems) are in place regarding staff interaction with the community: -
Code of Conduct -
Transparency obligations or criteria -
Induction -
Training -
Key performance indicators
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How is staff accountability to the community, broadly expressed, audited or monitored or reviewed?
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What feedback does ICANN seek from the community on matters related to staff accountability, and how does it solicit and consider that feedback?
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What processes are in place to respond to any community concerns regarding staff accountability, including appropriate escalation processes?
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What role does ICANN see the Ombudsman function as playing in helping to assure appropriate staff accountability?
Note from Jordan: it is worth acknowledging this is a sensitive area, since staff are accountable in the first instance (and by law) to the Chief Executive. “Accountability to the community” is an overlay that adds complexity and needs to be negotiated carefully. In conducting its work, I recommend that this sub-group take an approach that is open, respectful and about shaping future frameworks. In particular, any issues that community participants have with any staff member/s, past or present, form no part of the work of this group and should not be raised as part of its proceedings.
-- Jordan Carter
Chief Executive *InternetNZ *
+64-4-495-2118 (office) | +64-21-442-649 (mob) | Skype: jordancarter jordan@InternetNZ.net.nz | www.InternetNZ.nz
*A better world through a better Internet*
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