Responsibilities
and Qualifications of Panel Members
STAP has three
primary responsibilities:
1. To provide objective, strategic scientific and
technical advice on GEF policies and focal area strategies and relevant cross-cutting issues.
2. Deliver timely, operational advice on individual
GEF projects – in particular on the scientific and technical rationale of these
projects as well as their estimated contribution to global environmental
benefits
3. Finally, to
implement a results oriented program
of work – developed in collaboration with the GEF
Secretariat, Conventions1and the GEF Agencies – designed to address key challenges related to the successful
implementation of GEF programs.
Specifically with respect
to item 3 above, the aim is to develop, in partnership with the GEF Secretariat
and GEF Agencies, guidance for GEF Partners to address these challenges,
drawing on the best available science and knowledge. This work typically takes
the form of reports or advisory documents; though policy briefs, assessments and other written articles can be
outputs. GEF project screening or monitoring tools may also be developed. Panel
Members lead a collaborative process for identifying issues to be included in
the STAP program of work, and developing strategies to address them. Panel
members oversee and contribute substantively to the delivery of these tasks,
typically in conjunction with additional outside experts.
The Panel Members deliver their individual roles and
responsibilities pro-actively, and wherever possible as a team, to advise the
GEF regarding scientific and technical issues across its entire focal area and
cross-focal area portfolios, as well as on overarching GEF policies. The Panel Members should discharge their
duties whilst providing intellectual and innovative leadership, to formulate
advice at the highest levels of the GEF partnership, which challenges
conventional thinking, and brings intellectual rigor to their contributions on
strategic and operational issues. In close cooperation with the Secretariat, they
direct STAP resources primarily towards the analysis of contemporary
environmental and sustainability challenges.
Panel Members are also responsible for developing the Work Program and guiding
the STAP Secretariat’s support to the Program.
Each Panel Member is responsible for the Panel’s advice regarding
their respective focal areas, along with cross-cutting or integrated issues as
assigned, under the direction of the Chair. Panel Members will deliver their
advice calling upon the best available expertise and science and technology
networks, and will ensure that appropriate peer review processes are employed
to confirm the accuracy, quality of information, and credibility of the
specific content and recommendations to be made by the STAP, as appropriate. Panel
Members may lead and facilitate ad-hoc working groups and meetings, including
those at the request of the GEF Secretariat and the GEF Independent Evaluation
Office as these relate to the STAP Work Program and as resources permit, in
order to enable the provision of the best available advice to the GEF.
Specific Responsibilities
- Demonstrate technical leadership and
initiative, and mobilize respective scientific and technical networks and
partnerships in proposing and delivering the best available scientific and
technical advice to help, inter alia,
design and implement projects,
influence policy, assess governance frameworks, contribute to strategic
planning, appraise the success/failure/impacts of projects and generally
aid the GEF in furthering its core objectives;
- Under the guidance of the STAP Chair, take
an active part in the development and implementation of the STAP work
program, keeping an eye out for trends and emerging issues that could impact
delivery of the GEF’s program; and with support from the STAP Secretariat,
prepare work program activities in consultation with the GEF focal area
Task Forces, oversee expert meetings and the preparation of background
documents, identify and network with the best global experts available to
contribute to the task, and prepare the final report of the activity for
which financial support can be made available;
- Undertake and coordinate screens of
Project Information Forms and Program Proposals to be included in GEF work
programs;
- Participate actively in STAP meetings
and the GEF task forces and ad-hoc working groups;
- Participate in two face to face
meetings of the STAP Panel annually, in collaboration with the GEF
partnership, along with monthly teleconferences;
- Participate in other meetings and
events organized by the STAP, the GEF Secretariat; Independent Evaluation
Office, and the subsidiary bodies of the GEF related conventions, and the
Convention Secretariats, as required, and/or at the request of the STAP
Chair;
- Circulate briefing reports to the
members and to the Secretariat on meetings and events in which the panel
members represented the Panel;
- Periodically circulate to Panel and GEF
colleagues the results of evolving scientific research which is directly
relevant to their focal area and/or integrated approaches;
- Provide inputs into the regular reports
to the GEF Council and quadrennial reports to the GEF Assembly;
- Provide expert inputs to and undertake
reviews of M&E and KM activities, as per the agreed STAP work program,
or at the behest of the STAP Chair;
- Identify areas for research and review
proposals as necessary in accordance with the GEF policy for funding
targeted research;
- Ensure that the work of STAP
contributes and benefits from the work undertaken by the GEF Agencies, the
GEF Secretariat and the GEF related conventions.