Robert Schofield appointed as Joint Standards Initiative Coordinator

Casey stated that “We are delighted with Robert’s appointment. His extensive humanitarian experience, comprehensive understanding of the current standards architecture and strong commitment to the voice of the beneficiary will bring energy and added momentum to the Joint Standards Initiative process.”

Schofield has been appointed following a lengthy and rigorous recruitment process which began in April 2012. He brings a wealth of programmatic as well as headquarters and network experience.

Schofield has a 15 year track record in the humanitarian sector, leading country programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burundi and Uganda. He was Emergencies Manager with Medair in Switzerland and Disaster Management Director with Tearfund before taking on the post of interim Executive Director role at HAP International last February.

Schofield combines a passion for quality and accountability alongside the strong management and leadership skills needed in order to successfully deliver the Joint Standards process over the next 12 months.

“I am really excited at the opportunity of making a lasting impact on the quality of humanitarian action and of making life more straightforward for aid workers, agency staff and the wider aid community,” Schofield said.

Schofield joins the Joint Standards Initiative at a key time in the process. Strong foundations have been laid in preparation for a sector-wide stakeholder consultation process which is due to be launched in early Autumn. This consultation is central to the Joint Standards Initiative as it seeks to develop a new quality and accountability standards architecture.