Terms of Reference

GLOBAL ALLIANCE TO ELIMINATE LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS
STEERING GROUP AND REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT GROUP

TERMS OF REFERENCE

BACKGROUND
The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (hereafter ‘the Alliance’ brings together a diverse group of public-private health partners to support the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (hereafter ‘the Programme’) by mobilising political, financial and technical resources to ensure success.  The Alliance was formed in 2000 with the sole purpose of supporting the Programme in its two goals:

1.      The elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem by 2020 and
2.      The alleviation of physical, social and economic hardship in individuals who have lymphatic filariasis induced disability

The Alliance draws together partners to coordinate activities to increase political, financial and technical support for the Programme.

STEERING GROUP 
Purpose of the Steering Group
The purpose of the Steering Group of the Alliance is to execute the Work Plan formulated to support the vision of the Alliance. The Work Plan will include effective advocacy directed at international, regional and national levels for raising the profile and support for the Programme.

Constitution

The Steering Group will be constituted by

  • Secretariat (1)
  • World Health Organization Regional Programme Review Group  Chairs or designates (Africa, East Mediterranean, Pan   American, South East Asia and Western Pacific)  (5)
  • Non-Governmental Development Organization (Chair of Lymphatic Filariasis Non-Governmental Development Organization Network) (1)
  • Former Steering Group Chair (1)
  • Representative Contact Group Chair (ex-officio) (1)
  • Elected ‘at large’ members (2)  
  • Observers (6)

A total of 17 members

The ‘at large’ Steering Group members will serve as members for the period between each Alliance meeting (normally a two-year term) but will be eligible for re-appointment by subsequent election. 

Steering Group members will be free to resign anytime during the two year period by notification to the Chair.  In the unlikely event that a Steering Group member was working against the best interests of the Alliance, the Chair could seek a majority vote of the Steering Group members to relieve the member from the Steering Group.

The Steering Group will elect the Chair from its membership.

As primary responsibilities, the Steering Group will, on behalf of the Alliance, execute the development and implementation of

 a Work Plan following the biennial Alliance meeting to include priorities and budget for the period of time to the next  meeting;

  • communication strategies;
  • regional and global fundraising and advocacy strategies;
  • partnership development strategies to support the Programme and endemic countries;
  • engagement and maintenance of communications with donors and partners;
  • planning for the next meeting of the Alliance;

To accomplish these goals, the Steering Group will liaise closely with the World Health Organization  Department for Neglected Tropical Diseases and may establish and nominate membership of ad hoc task forces.

Decision making process
Decision will routinely be by consensus and not majority vote.   However, if there is contention then a decision will be carried by a two thirds majority

Election of the ‘at large’ Steering Group members
The Secretariat will invite, by circulation to the full Alliance mailing list, nomination for election of the 2 ‘at large’ members 3 months prior to the date of the Alliance meeting.   Each nominee must have accepted the nomination and have a proposer and seconder. Nomination must be supported by a brief (half page) summary of the nominee’s eligibility for election.  The Representative Contact Group will receive the nominations 2 months prior to the Alliance meeting to elect the 2 ‘at large’ members with a 2 week timeframe to vote by electronic means to allow time for elected nominees to organise attendance and enable them to participate in Steering Group meetings during the Alliance meeting.

Timeline

  • An invitation to nominate will be circulated to the full Alliance mailing list 3 months prior to the Alliance meeting, with a 4 week timeline to respond;
  • The nominations with (half-page) summaries will immediately be sent to the Representative Contact Group to respond within a 2 week timeline which will allow time to inform the successful nominees for them to attend the Alliance meeting and related SG meetings.

TERMS OF REFERENCE for the CHAIR OF THE STEERING GROUP
As primary responsibilities, the Chair will

  • chair the meetings of the Steering Group;
  • coordinate and guide the Steering Group’s functions;
  • act as a key spokesperson of the Alliance;
  • champion the cause of the Alliance at major international meetings;
  • advocate the cause of the Alliance to potential donors;
  • provide a full report of activities, at the Alliance biennial meeting.
     

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT GROUP
The purpose of the Representative Contact Group (RCG) is to represent the various constituencies of the Alliance and serves as the communication link to their constituency members regarding activities.

Constitution
The RCG consists of country representatives from each of the regions and representatives of a number of other constituencies including the pharmaceutical industry, academic/research institutions, donors, non-governmental organizations, the World Health Organization and the World Bank.

The specific composition of the RCG is:

  • Regional Programme Review Group Chairs (5)
  • Country representatives from each of the global regions

(3 from Africa and 2 each from the other (3) regions)  (9)

  • Representatives of academic institutions and lymphatic filariasis support centres (2)
  • Representatives of non-governmental development organizations (2)
  • Representatives of donor institutions (2)
  • Representatives of pharmaceutical companies (2)
  • Representatives of the World Health Organization (2)
  • Representative of World Bank (1)

A total of 25 members

The Representative Contact Group will

  • meet for at least one business session during each Alliance meeting;
  • elect a Chair or re-elect for one additional term the sitting Chair during the business session of the Alliance biennial meeting.  The Chair will be the point of contact for the Representative Contact Group members and will be an ex-officio member of the Steering Group;
  • will elect the 2 ‘at large’ Steering Group members – see Election of the ‘at large’ Steering Group members for criteria;
  • be responsible for communicating with their constituency groups/countries regarding Alliance  initiatives undertaken by the Representative Contact Group and Steering Group;
  • actively support the implementation of fundraising and advocacy efforts;
  • conduct its dialogue among members between the Alliance meetings by electronic means.

TERMS OF REFERENCE for the CHAIR of the REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT GROUP

The Chair of the Representative Contact Group will serve as the focal point of the RCG and will act as the link between the Steering Group and the Representative Contact Group by:

  • ensuring interaction between the Representative Contact Group and Steering Group by serving as a member of the Steering Group;
  • encouraging members of the Representative Contact Group to communicate with their constituency groups/countries regarding Alliance initiatives;
  • encouraging members of the Representative Contact Group to actively support the implementation of fundraising and advocacy.