Governance
& Team
Transparent, accountable leadership. We believe in clear structures, community-centered decisions, and ethical practice in everything we do.
Principles
How we lead
Transparency
All decisions, finances, and operations are open to member and public scrutiny.
Accountability
Clear reporting structures and regular performance reviews at all levels.
Community-Centered
Communities are partners, not subjects, in all our heritage work.
Ethical Practice
Highest standards of research ethics, intellectual property respect, and cultural sensitivity.
Structure
Organizational hierarchy
Click on each level to explore responsibilities and structure.
Biciid Society
Supreme authority & community governance
Composition
29–39 members drawn from Founding Members, Elders, Scholars, Storytellers, Scientists, Community Reps, Change-Makers and rotating Custodians.
Society Roles
Chairperson
Society leadership
Vice-Chairperson
Principal deputy
Society Secretary
Records & registers
Founding Members
Custodians of vision
Council of Elders
Cultural arbiters
Scholars & Educators
Knowledge validation
Explorers & Storytellers
Field & oral history
Scientists
Ecology & archaeology
Community Representatives
Elected from membership
Change-Makers
Liaisons & advocates
Custodians (Rotating)
Annual heritage-site stewards
Responsibilities
- Approves the strategic plan, audited financial reports and Charter amendments
- Elects the Board of Directors and confirms full Society membership
- Authorizes fundraising priorities and ratifies major partnerships
- Maintains 20% youth and ≥30% women representation; clan-neutral
Meetings
Annual General Assembly + bi-annual & emergency sessions
Leadership
Executive Secretariat
Hosh Jama Farah
Executive Secretary · Founder
The founding Executive Secretary of Biciid Center, leading the organization's day-to-day operations and strategic vision since 2019. A dedicated advocate for Somali cultural preservation.
secretary@biciid.com"We call upon philanthropists, governments, researchers, and cultural rights advocates to urgently support the protection of Somali heritage. Time is running out."
Leadership
Board of Directors
Click any member to see their area of focus.
Oversight
Standing Committees
Terms of Reference governing the four standing bodies of the Biciid Center for Culture and Nature (BCCN).
Cross-cutting Provisions
Confidentiality
Members are bound by confidentiality regarding deliberations, draft documents, applicant information and unpublished research.
Conflict of Interest
Members must declare in writing any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest at the start of their term and prior to any deliberation in which they may have an interest.
Records
Each Committee shall maintain minutes, decision logs and a register of resolutions, lodged with the Executive Secretariat.
Review of ToR
These Terms of Reference are reviewed by the Board every two (2) years, or earlier upon written request of any Committee Chair.