The general oversight of project activities is undertaken by the Project Management Board (PMB), which allows project-level communication between the Component Leaders, the Project Co-ordination Unit (PCU), the Executing Agency (EA) (i.e. UKCEH representing the interests of INI) and the Implementing Agency (IA) (i.e. UNEP). The PCU undertakes the day-to-day functions of the project, including maintaining communication between all parties in the project.
The work of the project has been reviewed and informed by the Project Partners Assembly (PPA), which consists of representatives of all main partners (i.e. funding partners). It represents the overarching decision-making body. In addition, the project includes a Stakeholder and Policy Advisory Group (SPAG) who provide advice to the project and support wider dissemination. Members of the SPAG may also be Main Partners of the project, in which case they are also members of the PPA. Members of the SPAG otherwise have observer status at the PPA. External communication from the project is further supported by Component 4, which includes focus on public engagement and awareness raising. In addition to the partnership itself, the PCU and Partners may also utilize Consultants to conduct specific aspects of the work. Such consultants have observer status at the PPA, being represented in decisions of the PPA by their relevant hosting Main Partner.
Project Coordination Unit
The Project Co-ordination Unit (PCU) is responsible for day-to-day project management and execution and work closely with the project partners to ensure the objectives of this project are being achieved. They are responsible for providing the PPA, PMB, IA and the GEF with all management information and the required outputs from this project, and providing secretariat facilities for the PMB, PPA and SPAG.
The responsibilities of the PCU include:
- Day-to-day administration and management of the project
- Provide all internal communication functions, e.g. to Component Leaders, PPA, SPAG through mailing lists and newsletters etc
- Collect and collate information on outputs from Task, Activity and Component Leaders
- Provide progress reports for PMB, PPA, SPAG
- Provide secretariat function for PMB, PPA, SPAG
- Provide necessary quarterly and annual reports for UNEP & GEF
- Maintain dialogue with UNEP Task Manager on progress and any arising issues
Project Managment Board
The PMB oversees the activities of the project and approve material (reports, outputs, etc.) for submission to the PPA, IA and to the GEF. The PMB provide overall guidance to the project and consist of IA, PCU (on behalf of the EA) and the Component Leaders. The GEF have been invited to nominate an Observer to the PMB. In order to avoid conflict of interest as project funder, GEF has covered its own costs in this role. The PMB meet as required for the execution of the project, making full use of electronic conferencing facilities. The PMB receive direction (consistent with the Pro-Doc/CEO) from the PPA, supported by advice from the SPAG acting as the executive of the Towards INMS Project.
Note that the PMB are not expected to deal with day-to-day administration of the project, which is handled by the Project Co-ordinator, Project Director and PCU, under guidance from the IA. This ensures conformity with UNEP’s and GEF’s requirements.
The responsibilities of the PMB include:
- Oversee project
- Review and approve Work Plan [Appendix 5] & budget [Appendices 1&2] (for subsequent execution by PCU)
- Review and approve outputs
- Review and approve M&E outputs/reports
- Monitor progress and approve any changes
- Ensure focus of project is kept in-line with Goal and Objective
- Where necessary, the PMB will support definition of new targets in coordination with, and approval from, the Executing/Implementing Agencies
- Propose membership of the SPAG for confirmation by the PPA
- Meetings will make agreements by consensus subject to final approval by UNEP as the IA
Members:
- UNEP (as Implementing Agency)
- UKCEH (as Executing Agency and host of the PCU) represting the interests of INI
- Component Leaders
- Ad-hoc invitations possible, for selected discussions.
Stakeholder & Policy Advisory Group
The Stakeholder and Policy Advisory Group (SPAG) were established during the INMS Inception Phase and meet on an ad hoc basis. Proposals for membership were made by the PMB for adoption or amendment by the PPA. The group advises the PMB on scientific, policy and other stakeholder issues as needed to support development of options for an International Nitrogen Management System. The SPAG is composed of differing expertise as the needs of the project evolve and include Partners as well as other bodies and individual experts.
The responsibilities of the SPAG include:
- Provide stakeholder advice on the strategy and progress of the project
- Review stakeholder focussed documents to ensure they are relevant and fit for purpose
- Respond to stakeholder consultations
- Provide feedback on project progress, outputs and messages by attending the Project Partners Assemblies and submitting oral/written reports to the PMB
- Meetings will make agreements by consensus and pass advisory recommendations to PMB via the PCU
Members:
- Scientific experts
- Business and industry representatives
- Civil society and NGO representatives
- Policy experts including government officials acting in an expert capacity
Component Coordination Units
Main roles of the Component Coodrination Units are:
- Overall supervision and monitoring of Component Activities
- Integration and editing of component reports
- Preparation of expenditure statements (including co-financing)
Component 1 Leaders
Jill Baron (USGS/Univ Colorado), INI North America Director & Hans van Grinsven (PBL), INI Europe Centre
Component 2 Leaders
Wim de Vries (WUR), INI Europe Centre & Jean Ometto (INPE), INI Latin American Director
Component 3 Leaders
Mark Sutton (UKCEH), David Hooper (WWU) & Cargele Masso (IITA)
Component 4 Leader
Nicole Read (UKCEH) & Mark Sutton (UKCEH)