Ways of Working
Governance
MOU with Terms of Reference
Formal documentation provides the foundation stone of the agreement and putting together a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Terms of Reference ensures the contractual elements of the partnership are clear and thought through.All parties should sign a mutually agreed-upon document, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with a Terms of Reference annexed. This document will formalize partners commitment and as the governing document to the collaboration, providing a consistent point of reference throughout.
The MOU should include clauses on:
- Parties Involved
- Purpose and Scope
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Duration (including start and end dates)
- Financial and Resource Commitments each party will provide
- Confidentiality
- Exclusivity
- Termination
- Dispute Resolution
- Signatures (by Lead from each Partner)
The Terms of Reference which is an annex to the MOU should include the agreed:
- Shared goal and objectives
- Theory of Change
- Governance structures
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication and decision-making processes
- Conflict resolution plan