The Project Governance

1. Inception Workshop and the First Steering Committee Meeting of the UNEP/GEF Project“Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches to Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions” (FNR_Rio) 9-11 February 2010 , UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK The Project Governance Asghar M. FAZEL Global Project Coordinator

2. UNEP/DGEF – GEF Implementing Agency (IA) • UNEP is the Implementing Agency for the Project. • Provides project oversight to ensure that GEF policies and criteria are adhered to and that the project meets its objectives and achieves expected outcomes in an efficient and effective manner. • It shall also, in partnership with the UNCCD Secretariat, engage in promoting the project with a view to mobilize resources. 2

3. UNEP-WCMC : International Executing Agency • Hosts the project management unit, lead by a Global Project Coordinator that will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, including reporting. • UNEP-WCMC will be responsible for delivery of the outputs in accordance with the approach and budget outlined in the project document. • Will provide high level technical inputs for each of the project components and also to the National Teams. • In close cooperation with the Conventions’ Secretariats and other partners will coordinate the implementation of tasks and activities at global level. 3

4. Project Steering Committee (PSC) • A Project Steering Committee composed of NPCs of the Pilot Countries, UNEP/DGEF, GEF Secretariat, Rio Convention Secretariats and UNEP/WCMC; chaired by UNEP/DGEF . • The PSC provides strategic guidance on project implementation issues such as adaptive management and monitor and review progress on an annual basis. • It will physically meet once a year. • The PSC can be called as needs arise using modern telecommunication means. • Observers would be invited to attend the PSC meetings. 4

5. Global Project Coordinator (GPC) • The GPC will provide overall direction for technical and administrative aspects of the project. • The GPC will be appointed by the International Executing Agency (IEA) and is accountable to the IEA. • (The IEA is accountable to UNEP for the project for implementation in line with the agreement signed by the two institutions). • The GPC will maintain regular communication with the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and national teams in the pilot countries. • The GPC will be funded by GEF for 5 days input per month in a three-year period.. 5

6. International Consultant (IC) • Based on the Project document, the International Consultant should consider the project components and objectives and will have the responsibilities to: • Gather information on the status of the Rio Conventions reporting processes at the international level, • Hold consultations with the Secretariats of the three Rio conventions, international stakeholders and six pilot countries of the project on their perception of the harmonized reporting process and their input toward a streamline reporting process. on optimal approaches for project implementation, • Prepare a background report for the project and interact with the National Consultants to ensure that they are aware of the international circumstances to guide them in dealing with the process bearing in mind their national circumstances. 6

7. National teams • NEA • NSC • NPC • NPA • TWG 7

8. National Executing Agencies (NEAs) • Overall responsibility at the national level will be vested with the following National Executing Agencies (NEAs): • Afghanistan: National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) • Eritrea: The Ministry of Land Water and Environment (MLWE) • Lao PDR: Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA) • Liberia: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Mauritius: Ministry of Environment & National Development Unit (MENDU) • Palau: Office of Environmental Response and Coordination (OERC) • These agencies will implement the project in collaboration with other national, provincial and local government agencies, NGOs, private sector and local communities. In order to ensure joint programming of GEF interventions wit 8

9. National Steering Committees (NSC) • A National Steering Committee will be maintained in each country to provide guidance to the project and monitor progress and performance. • The NSC will monitor and review progress on an annual basis. • The NSC will be chaired by the Head of the NEA or his representative. • The NPC will act as the NSC secretary. 9

10. NSC Composition • The NSCs is suggested that they consist of: • The Head of the NEA (Chairperson) • The National Project Coordinator (Secretary) • The CBD National Focal Point • The UNCCD National Focal Point • The UNFCCC National Focal Point • The GEF Operational or Political Focal Point • One representative of the UNDP or UNEP country office. • Observers from national and international conservation NGOs and national universities 10

11. National Project Coordinator (NPC) • Responsibilities: • Secretary to the NSC and represent country on the PSC • Supervise project execution at national level • Approve annual operational plans at the national level • Supervise NPA, to carry out national project activities within budget • Ensure active involvement of NSC members and other stakeholders • Apply all UNEP and GEF regulations to project execution • Review and approve quarterly and annual activity and budget reports • Coordinate with national governmental representatives • Work closely with NEA to coordinate national level activities • All six NPCs will primarily be financed through national government funds (co-financing) but their travel and national subsistence for the project will be financed through GEF funds. 11

12. National Project Assistant (NPA) • Responsibilities: • Represent the project at relevant meetings and committees • Coordinate technical and administrative aspects of national project activities • Provide agreed-upon technical assistance to national and international consultants/advisors • Elaborate and implement annual operational plans at the national level • Procure equipment and other necessary goods and services for national level • Prepare quarterly project advance reports for monitoring and evaluation • Participate in project evaluation, testing, and monitoring missions • Provide GPC with quarterly and annual activity and budget reports • Coordinate with national government representatives on legal and financial aspects • Work closely with NEA to coordinate national level activities • NPA will be financed through GEF funds. The contracts will be for a maximum of 10 days input per month in a maximum three-year period. 12

13. Technical Working Groups (TWG) • The TWG on Integrated Reporting from countries participating in the project established for information and experience sharing is established and met. • to discuss design issues in the inception phase (1st TWG meeting), • to assess lessons learned and elaborate the Manual on Integrated Reporting (2nd TWG meeting); • to improve the integrated reporting processes and results and also sharing experiences and lessons learned including finalizing the National Manuals at the end of the current project life (3rd TWG meeting). 13

14. Reporting 1 • Progress Reports: • Every three months, (as at 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December), quarterly reports on the progress in project execution, within 30 days of the end of the reporting period. • Substantive Reports: • At the appropriate time, IEA will submit to UNEP any substantive project report(s) 14

15. Reporting 2 • Financial Reports: quarterly and annual expenditure : • Details of expenditures will be reported on an activity-by-activity basis, in line with project budget codes as set out in the project document, as at 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December within 30 days of the end of the three-month period. • In addition, the total expenditures incurred during the year ending 31 December, should be reported to UNEP. • Proper books of account have been maintained by IEA and NEAs; • All project expenditures are supported by vouchers and adequate documentation; • Expenditures have been incurred in accordance with the objectives outlined in the project document. 15

16. Reporting 3 • Terminal Reports: • Within 60 days of the completion of the project, IEA will submit to UNEP/DGEF, a Terminal Report detailing the activities undertaken under the project, lessons learned and any recommendations to improve the efficiency of similar activities in the future. • Within 90 days of the completion of the project, IEA will supply UNEP with a final statement of account i • IEA shall facilitate an audit by the United Nations Board of Auditors and/or the Audit Service of the accounts of the project. 16

17. Inception Workshop and the First Steering Committee Meeting of the UNEP/GEF Project“Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches to Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions” (FNR_Rio) 9-11 February 2010 , UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK Thank You asghar.fazel@unep-wcmc.org