INTER-AGENCY WORKING GROUP EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA

Our work is done through the various sub-working groups formed on various thematic issues. The sub working groups provide a platform for members to; exchange information, communicate key developments in the sector, identify opportunities for collective advocacy, identify challenges, gain from the experience of others and build partnerships.

Each working group is guided by its own Terms of Reference (ToR), which is constantly updated to identify and prioritize gaps, progress and areas of improvement. We encourage member’s active involvement in these working groups. Please contact the IAWG Coordinator if you are interested in participating.

Currently we have the following sub-working groups;

Creation of IAWG Sub / Working Groups

Members of IAWG are encouraged to come up with new sub-groups which will improve the coordination work in the region. Each new sub-group should aim at filling a gap and should not duplicate the efforts of other coordination mechanisms in the region.

For a new sub-group to be accepted under the IAWG’s umbrella, it must meet the following requirements:

• State the existing gap and how the new sub-group will fill it.
• Have formalized objectives.
• Have interest from 5 official members of the IAWG.
• Identify an individual willing to volunteer as a chair for the group for at least six months.

If all the requirements are met, the sub-group initiator will present the idea and formalized objectives to the Core-Group for discussion and agreement. Upon approval the group will be eligible for access to IAWG funds, authority to use the IAWG logo, a page will be created for the new sub / working group on the IAWG website, they will receive administration support for the meetings from the Coordinator and a mailing list for the sub-group will be established and maintained by IAWG. 

Sub / Working Group Leadership

Each group shall have a chair (or two co-chairs). Each sub / working group shall have a well-defined scope of work or TOR. Each group shall be free to manage their affairs and activities with a high degree of flexibility with due regard to the role of the Core Group.

Elected chairs, and in some cases two co-chairs, provide leadership to the sub / working groups and represent the sub / working group at the core-group meetings.

Chairs are nominated by the membership of each group and serve a term of two years with one co-chair ideally changing each year to allow for smooth handover

Specific responsibilities for chairs include:

• Convening sub-group meetings and providing leadership to the overall sub-group
• Leading the annual process of defining sub-group work plans and budgets
• Leading the organization of sub-group special events in collaboration with the Coordinator
• Regular participation in Core Group meetings 

The chair of each sub / working group shall report to the Core Group.  

Criteria for the nominations/elections Sub-working groups co-chairs include:

• Should be from a registered  member of IAWG – see the list of our members
• Should be committed to the vision/ mission of the working group
• Must attend 90% of the core-chairs and working groups meetings
• Must be able to fulfill the responsibilities for the co-chair role
• When possible, priority should be given to members of small or national NGOs to increase diversity within the core-group 

Membership

Full Membership

Membership is open to all not for profit International voluntary agencies or non-governmental organisations (INGOs), with a regional presence (operating in more than one country) involved in humanitarian and development work in the wider East and Central Africa Region. Any eligible organization shall become a full member of the IAWG on payment of the appropriate annual membership fee, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the Core Group.

Observer status

A not for profit voluntary agency that wishes to participate in the IAWG network but which, because of constitutional constraints or reasons of principle, cannot be associated with the views and/or positions adopted by IAWG, may apply for Observer status.

Affiliate Membership

The IAWG Affiliate membership category is for not for profit academic and research institutes and provides a means to make better links between their work and the work of IAWG members. IAWG Affiliates receive full access to the IAWG documents, meetings, and participation at General Assemblies, however, they do not have the right to vote or hold office.

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Inter-Agency Working Group East & Central Africa (IAWG)

C/O Danish Refugee Council, East Africa & Yemen Office.

Physical location, Lower Kabete Road (Ngecha Junction). P.O. Box 14762-00800 Nairobi

Mobile: +254 (0) 723 887 449

Email: info(at)iawg-africa.org 

Website http://iawg-africa.org 

Twitter:  @IAWGAfrica

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iawgeacafrica

http://www.humanitarianpartnershipconference.wordpress.com

OVERVIEW

The IAWG is a leading regional forum for networking, technical information sharing and coordination. Sub/working groups have formed to cover various subjects including those which are active today– humanitarian human resources, inclusion, disaster risk reduction and climate change, policy and advocacy, quality and accountability, safety and security, logistics, regional humanitarian partnership team and the information, communications and technology (ICT) working groups.

Membership is open to all not for profit International voluntary agencies or non-governmental organisations (INGOs), with a regional presence involved in humanitarian and development work in the wider East and Central Africa Region. 

Vision - An active regional network which promotes effective humanitarian and development outcomes in complex environments across East and Central Africa.

MISSION  - Convening, networking and challenging the aid community in East and Central Africa to support effective delivery of sustainable solutions that positively impact individuals and communities across the region.

STRATEGIC GOALS

1.      Voice and Action - The IAWG is a recognized voice on issues related to humanitarian and development  (H&D) context, challenging members and  others to improve the overall Humanitarian  and Development system in the region

2.      Quality and Accountability - IAWG members demonstrate high standards of professionalism and respect, and actively contribute to the development and dissemination of best practices

3.      Networking and collaboration - The IAWG is a relevant and up to date source of information and connection for regional actors.

Full Membership;

Membership is open to all not for profit International voluntary agencies or non-governmental organisations (INGOs), with a regional presence (operating in more than one country) involved in humanitarian and development work in the wider East and Central Africa Region.

Any eligible organization shall become a member of the IAWG on payment of the appropriate annual membership fee, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the Core Group.

Observer status

A not for profit voluntary agency that wishes to participate in the IAWG network but which, because of constitutional constraints or reasons of principle, cannot be associated with the views and/or positions adopted by IAWG, may apply for Observer status.

Affiliate Membership

The IAWG Affiliate membership category is for not for profit academic and research institutes and provides a means to make better links between their work and the work of IAWG members. IAWG Affiliates receive full access to the IAWG website and documents, meetings, and participation at General Assemblies, however, they do not have the right to vote or hold office.

Funding

The IAWG is financed through annual membership fees paid by organizations and also by income generated from IAWG sponsored events.
These sources of income allow the IAWG to maintain a secretariat which is critical in order to effectively organize coordination meetings, deliver trainings and other IAWG sub and thematic group activities and/or events.

Governance

Core Group/Steering Committee

The Core Group is a strategic body that makes decisions on policy issues. The Core Group serves to support the General Assembly, serves as a coordination body for all the sub / working groups and makes decisions for the sub-groups when called upon by the specific group’s leadership or membership.  Sub / working groups operate on the basis of annual work plans which detail their key objectives as a group.

The Core Group is composed of:

• IAWG Co-Chairs
•  Coordinator,
• Treasurer of the IAWG / Host Representative,
• Representative from UNOCHA
• Co-Chairs from each of the sub / working groups

The Core Group is the decision making body for IAWG and meets on a regular basis (every 2-3 month).

Any representative of an IAWG member organisation is entitled to attend and participate in Core Group meetings on request to the Coordinator.

Executive Committee (EC)

The IAWG leadership (Executive Committee) comprises of

a.       IAWG Co-Chairs

b.      Treasurer (representing the agency hosting the Secretariat)

c.       Coordinator

The Executive Committee is responsible for performance management of the Coordinator and approval of IAWG funds.

IAWG Co-Chairs of the Core group/Steering committee

The IAWG Co-Chairs shall have overall responsibility for the affairs of the IAWG.Co-Chairs are nominated by the membership of the IAWG and serve a term of two years, with one co-chair ideally changing each year.  Where possible, one Co-Chair should be a Regional Director.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Organizing and chairing all meetings of the Core Group
• Membership of the Executive Committee and management of the IAWG Coordinator
• Acting as a liaison between the IAWG and OCHA
• Authorizing requests for funding
• Providing general support to sub-groups when required
• Representing IAWG interests to the wider humanitarian community

Sub-working groups Co-chairs

Chairs are nominated by the membership of each group and serve a term of two years with one co-chair ideally changing each year to allow for smooth handover

Specific responsibilities for chairs include:

• Convening sub-group meetings and providing leadership to the overall sub-group
• Leading the annual process of defining sub-group work plans and budgets
• Leading the organization of sub-group special events in collaboration with the Coordinator
• Regular participation in Core Group meetings 

Treasurer

The Treasurer manages the overall financial affairs of the IAWG, in consultation with the Core Group and ensures that good practice is maintained. Specific responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the financial records of the IAWG
• Preparing the annual budget
• Presenting quarterly finance reports and the end of year accounts.
• Signing and administering all contracts on behalf of the IAWG.

Coordinator

The Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operational activities of the IAWG and management of the Secretariat.

Amongst other duties the Coordinator has a responsibility for

a.       Representation and coordination:

b.      Outreach and profile raising

c.       Organising events and activities for members and in support of IAWG and working group priorities

d.      Core administrative management responsibilities for the IAWG Secretariat

The Coordinator reports to the Co-Chairs of the IAWG with a dotted line to their manager within the host agency (if not the same)

Each year the Coordinator will develop a performance plan which will document the objectives that they intend to achieve in a given year. The performance plan will be in line with the performance management systems applied by the agency hosting the Secretariat.

In the event of poor performance resulting in the need for action, issues will be managed according to the systems in the host agency (e.g. performance improvement plan, disciplinary action etc.). The host agency will keep the Co-Chairs fully informed of any action.

Secretariat

Hosting of the Secretariat sits with the same organisation that has responsibility for the treasury function. This is intended to support financial transactions and management and it is advised that the two roles are held concurrently.

For 2015-17 this function is provided by Danish Refugee Council East Africa and Yemen Office.

The Secretariat comprises the IAWG Coordinator, interns and temporary staff supporting activities and a partial Finance and Admin Officer.

The agency hosting the Secretariat will agree staff contracts and apply their terms and conditions of employment to the staff of the Secretariat.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is made up of all individuals working with agencies which have paid their membership fees. In this respect, all staff from IAWG member organisations are entitled to participate in and contribute to the membership of the sub / working groups and to participate in IAWG events.

The General Assembly meets annually at the AGM.

Annual General Meetings (AGM)

This is a meeting held by IAWG every year for the members of the IAWG. All the AGM meetings are chaired by the co-chairs or a delegate of their choice.  The AGM is the ultimate decision making forum for the IAWG. The functions of the AGM include:

• Election of IAWG officials.
• Look at the audited finance report of IAWG.
• Advice on the way forward for the IAWG by suggesting new ways of working in the current year.

It is during the AGM that member organizations get to look at the activities of IAWG in the past year and advise on the way forward.

Every paid up member of the IAWG is free to attend the AGM where all members vote equally with each paid-up member organisation having one decision making vote.