Project Oversight Committee

The Project Oversight Committee (POC) serves as the governing body of the project and will provide direction, guidance and leadership in ensuring the effective implementation of the project and effectiveness of the activities. POC meets twice a year to i) review and approve project work plan and ii) review progress and achievements, making adjustments if necessary. Meetings can be face-to-face or virtual, depending on circumstances. Location of face-to-face meetings could be Rome, Montpellier/Paris or any of the pilot countries where the meeting can be organized back-to-back with a field activity in which both Agrinatura and FAO participate.Members of POC

The Project Oversight Committee is composed of six (6) members:

Two (2) representatives of AGRINATURA-EEIG:

  • Richard Hawkins, Director, ICRA (co-Chair alternating with FAO)
  • Guy Poulter, Director, EEIG

Two (2) representatives of FAO Research and Extension Unit (DDNR)

  • Karin Nichterlein, acting Head of DDNR (co-Chair alternating with ICRA)
  • Aboulaye Saley Moussa, DDNR

One (1) representative of the TAP Steering Committee

  • Christian Hoste, Chair of TAP Steering Committee

Project Coordinator as ex-officio member.

  • Myra Wopereis, Project Coordinator, ICRA (ex-officio)

Responsibilities of POC

–       Provide guidance and oversee the development of the overall CDAIS work plan and its effective implementation;

–       Review and validate annual work plans and budgets submitted by the project management team, before submission to the EC;

–       Ensure that the project is implemented by the relevant partners and institutions assigned, in line with the signed partnership agreement between AGRINATURA-EEIG and FAO.

–       Oversee and review of budget and contractual issues

–       Ensure that the resources available to the project are used as effectively as possible to achieve the project objectives and expected results, within the needs of the global TAP mechanism and the 8 pilot countries;

–       Evaluate risks associated with the project and identify plans/actions to mitigate the risks

–       Ensure that the respective work programmes of FAO and AGRINATURA-EEIG are effectively integrated and coordinated at country level to achieve the project objectives and expected results;

–       Resolve any conflicts of interest between AGRINATURA-EEIG and FAO that may arise in the course of the project implementation;

–       Provide advice to promote effective linkages with institutions and organizations at national and global level, including with the policy roundtable discussions, to further the overall objectives of the project and attract additional resources.

–       Hold meetings twice a year in an agreed location and most appropriate timing.

–       Contribute to the implementation of the project communication and visibility strategy.

Project Management Team

The Project Management Team (PMT) has the task to coordinate the implementation of the project (operational issues) and will provide guidance, advice and technical support to the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) at country level.

Members of PMT

  • Project Coordinator: Myra Wopereis, AGRINATURA-EEIG – ICRA (100%)
  • FAO team:
    • FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), DDNR, FAO and TAP Executive Secretary: Karin Nichterlein and alternate LTO: Abdoulaye Saley Moussa (25% LTO and 15% alternate  including  80 days/year own contribution)
    • Budget Holder, Chief, DDNR, FAO (7%)
    • Project Management Consultant, FAO (100%, name to be communicated)
    • Support to TAP Secretariat, TAP bodies and TAPipedia, DDNR, FAO: Christian Grovermann, FAO (100%, own contribution for two years)
    • Operations Assistant, FAO, DDNR: Ilka Gomez, FAO (100%)
    • Information Systems Assistant, DDNR, FAO (50%)
    • Administrative support, DDNR, FAO, Cecilia AgyemanAnane, FAO (40%, own contribution)
    • TAP Communication Expert:  Maarten Roest, FAO (20 days per year)
  • Project Financial Management: Financial Manager: Magali Rouillier, AGRINATURA-EEIG – CIRAD (80%)
  • Project Communication Support: Communication support: Bertil Videt, AGRINATURA-EEIG– ICRA (20%)
  • Project Administration Support: Francoise de Chevigny, AGRINATURA-EEIG – ICRA (50%)
  • Richard Hawkins, AGRINATURA-EEIG-ICRA (30%)

Responsibilities of PMT

  • Provide leadership and guidance to National Project Steering Committees (NPSC) for effective coordination of the implementation of project activities at country level through virtual meetings held every 2 months.
  • Ensure the Partnership Agreement between AGRINATURA-EEIG and FAO is implemented.
  • Develop and review project annual workplans and budgets to be aligned to the EC approved budget for submission to the POC.
  • Review and consolidate reports (technical and financial) submitted by FAO and AGRINATURA-EEIG members before submission to the AGRINATURA-EEIG Secretariat. Report formats and frequency follows the EC requirements as stated in the Grant contract.
  • Facilitate the conduct of the Annual Audit reviews including timely report to the AGRINATURA – EEIG Secretariat.
  • Develop and implement project communication strategy together with concerned AGRINATURA-EEIG member, FAO, TAP and Partners at international, regional and national level;
  • Ensure good communication between the AGRINATURA-EEIG country focal persons and FAO country offices;
  • Support information dissemination activities and advocate for project outreach; hold monthly project management virtual meetings between AGRINATURA-EEIG and FAO teams to update on the activities.