NGO Nomination to UNAIDS PCB

[Guest guest]

[indian AIDS NGOs are invited to send their nominations at the earliest.

Moderator]

ANNOUNCEMENT

Organizations of People living with HIV/AIDS, AIDS Service

Organizations, other Community Based Organizations and Development

Non-governmental Organizations

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to inform you of vacancies in the NGO Liaison Committee of

the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) (commonly referred to

as the NGO PCB Delegation). As you may know, the UNAIDS PCB has five

seats reserved for NGO sector delegates on a regional basis. Each

delegate NGO has an Alternate.

There are 2 important ECOSOC and PCB Resolutions that govern the NGO

Delegation at the PCB:

A. ECOSOC Resolution 1995/2 21st plenary meeting 3 July 1995 1995/2.

Annex 2(e) defines the statutory term of the appointments, stating

that " The need for rotation among non-governmental organizations was

recognized; the appointment of an individual organization should not

exceed three years " .

B. UNAIDS/PCB (2)/95.7 dated 15 December 1995. Agenda 11, paragraph

41 provides measures to ensure rotation of the NGO delegates and to

guarantee the continuity of the NGO Liaison Committee.

The current NGO Delegates and their respective three years statutory

terms are as follows:

Africa Delegate The Ghana HIV/AIDS Network (GHANET)

represented by Ms. Alice Lamptey, December 2000 to December 2003.

Alternate Mozambique Red Cross Society represented by Ms.

Fernanda Teixeira, May 2001 to May 2004.

Asia/Pacific Delegate Hong Kong AIDS Foundation,

represented by Ms. O.C. Lin, May 2000 to May 2003.

Alternate AMAL Human Development Network, Pakistan represented

by Mr. Syed Imran Rizvi, May 2002 to May 2005

Europe Delegate Abraço, Portugal, represented by Mr. Pedro S.

Marques, May 2000 to May 2003.

Alternate Vacant

LAC Delegate OASIS, Guatemala, represented by Mr.

Mayorga, May 2000 to May 2003.

Alternate REDLA+, representative to be announced, May 2002 to

May 2005.

North America Delegate African Services Committee, USA,

represented by Ms. Kim Nichols, selected. To be formally approved by

the UNAIDS PCB at its meeting in June 2003. June 2003 to June

2006.

Alternate Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy/IHRA, represented

by Ms. Diane Riley, June 2000 to June 2003.

The nomination process will normally begin nine months before the

term of the current Delegates and the Alternate Delegates is to

expire; so with the completion of the statutory three year terms of

the present incumbents we are announcing the vacancy of the following

positions:

Africa Delegate

Asia/Pacific Delegate

Latin America/Caribbean Delegate

Europe Delegate

Europe Alternate

North America Alternate

The NGO PCB Delegation met in 1998 and in 2002 to review its mandate,

strategy and delegate qualifications. The most relevant part of the

final document, entitled " Terms of Reference of the NGO Liaison

Committee – Mandate, Nomination, Selection, Confirmation process and

Cessation of appointment " is attached to this letter.

We would greatly appreciate nominations for the six vacant positions.

To nominate an organization, please prepare an application addressing

the qualifications as described in the attached Terms of Reference of

the NGO Liaison Committee. <<TOR.doc>>

The closing date for nominations is 1st of May. The selection will be

made by the current NGO PCB Delegates by the end of May and presented

to the PCB for confirmation at the June 2003 meeting. The decision of

the PCB regarding confirmation of NGOs will then be communicated to

you soon after its regular meeting.

The UNAIDS Partnerships Unit will serve as a mailbox for

applications. Please send all applications to the address below.

Please forward the vacancy announcement to any interested parties.

Thank you for your interest and help,

The NGO Liaison Committee of the UNAIDS Programme Co-ordinating Board

(NGO PCB Delegation)

c/o Ms. Stella Manoharan

Partnerships Unit

Department of Social Mobilization and Strategic Information, UNAIDS

20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 791 1630

Fax: +41 22 791 4898

e-mail: manoharans@...

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Terms of Reference of the NGO Liaison Committee of the UNAIDS Program

me Coordinating Board

----------------------------------------------

A. Mission of the NGO PCB Delegates

Ø To bring to the PCB policy and strategy decisions a

perspective and focus on all PLWHA and their rights, particularly

access to prevention/harm reduction, treatment, care, and support, as

universal goods.

B. Strategy of the NGO PCB Delegates

· Actively seek input from the community on key issues related

to relevant PCB documents.

· Actively seek input from the community on key issues related

to Cosponsors and UNAIDS country or regional desks (Country Programme

Advisers, Theme Groups and/or Intercountry Teams/Technical Advisers).

· Advocate with members states and co-sponsor organizations,

for the greater participation and meaningful involvement of PLWHA and

the NGO community in the development, implementation and evaluation

of HIV/AIDS policies and programmes.

· Bring forward, advocate and lobby for the inclusion in the

agenda of PCB meetings of the community problems, perspectives and

needs.

· Advocate and lobby, at PCB level, to overcome national and

regional limitations and inefficiencies in HIV/AIDS education,

prevention and access to care and treatment.

· Interact with NGOs, CBOs and groups of PLWHA.

· Consult with and report to the communities of NGOs, CBOs and

groups of PLWHA, before and after PCB meetings, in a timely manner.

· Assist to develop and agree on a working mechanism among

members of the NGO PCB delegation and their representatives.

· Find ways to ensure that the representatives of the entire

NGO PCB Delegation are fully involved in the work of the PCB.

· Ensure full attendance and participation of all its NGO

delegates' representatives at each PCB meeting.

· Ensure the realization, during each PCB meeting, of regular

meetings with the UNAIDS focal points of Cosponsoring Organizations

with the full attendance and participation of all its representatives.

· Guarantee that its representatives study all relevant PCB

documents.

· Guarantee the active participation of its representatives in

the process of reviewing and deciding the plans and the execution of

the UN Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS – UNAIDS.

· Ensure and support their representatives' participation in

all ad hoc committees, working groups and briefings of the PCB.

· Ensure that issues relevant to PLWHA and to the AIDS NGO

community are considered when the PCB agenda is prepared and agreed.

C. The task of the NGO PCB delegates and Alternates

(organizations)

· Consult the local, national and regional communities,

organizations and networks of NGOs, CBOs and groups of PLWHA in order

to:

o Identify regional and target group-specific emerging issues.

o Guarantee regional access to all UNAIDS relevant information

and documents.

o Collect regional input on UNAIDS plans and programme

execution.

o Guarantee the quality and comprehensiveness of their

representative's contributions to the PCB work.

· Designate and support competent and effective representatives.

· Allocate 10% of their representative's time to PCB duties and

tasks.

· Facilitate and guarantee the use of office space and

communications systems and facilities to their representatives when

engaged in PCB duties and tasks.

· Maintain communication with the UNAIDS focal points of

Cosponsoring Organizations.

· Maintain communication with UNAIDS and cosponsoring

organizations desks at country or regional level.

D. The task of the representatives of the NGO PCB delegates

· Participate in all meetings of the PCB.

· Participate in meetings with the UNAIDS focal points of

Cosponsoring Organizations, during the PCB meetings.

· Participate in any ad hoc committees or working groups set up

by the PCB.

· Participate in all other meetings and information briefs,

either with governments or major donors.

· To bring, advocate and lobby for the inclusion in the agenda

and conclusions of PCB meetings of the community perspective (and

needs) to overcome national and regional limitations and

inefficiencies in HIV/AIDS education, prevention and access to care

and treatment.

· Maintain a specific focus on groups of HIV-positive people,

NGOs, CBOs, and individually affected and infected people, especially

concerning their human rights, access to drugs, treatment and care,

and harm reduction, as well as other emerging critical issues.

· Bring regional, emerging and target-group specific critical

issues to the PCB.

· Advocate with the Cosponsors and governments to respond to

emerging critical issues.

· Provide input into the equitable and appropriate allocation

of available resources.

· Advocate for a realistic evaluation of UNAIDS at all levels.

All NGO PCB delegates should participate in the PCB meetings.

To this end, the Modus operandi of the Programme Coordinating Board

of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) (Revised

June 1999, Paragraph 20 states that " funds will be made available to

cover the costs for per diem and travel incurred in connection with

the attendance at PCB meetings for ......... one representative from

each of the five nongovernmental organizations. "

Attendance and participation in meetings (other than the PCB

meetings), ad hoc committees, working groups and information

briefings may be assured by means other than the actual presence.

Information on those meetings should be distributed to all delegates,

discussed by them and a common position paper feedback to Secretariat.

E. Qualifications

NGO Delegates (organizations)

Nominations to serve on the PCB can be forwarded to the current NGO

PCB Delegation by any group or NGO that has significant activities in

HIV/AIDS. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS, AIDS services

organizations (ASOs), and other community based organizations (CBOs)

and development NGOs.

The NGO delegates and alternates will be selected by the current NGO

PCB Delegation on the basis of the support shown to their

applications by global, regional or country networks of NGOs, CBOs

and organizations of people with HIV/AIDS and the following

attributes:

· Geographical representation;

· Affiliation in NGOs, CBOs and organizations of people with

HIV/AIDS regional networks;

· Involvement in the AIDS response in their country or region.

Nominated candidate organizations should possess the following

qualifications:

· The ability to communicate and liaise effectively with

networks of NGOs, CBOs and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS in

their regions and with key contacts (including facilities and

capability to communicate by telephone, fax and e-mail)

· A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and

other political consequences of the pandemic

· Experience and understanding of the international policy-

making and advocacy

· Knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues that transcend the country level

· The ability to effectively facilitate and provide ongoing

advice, consultation and support to its representative.

NGO PCB Delegate's representatives

Candidate organizations must, when submitting their applications,

appoint their permanent representative at the NGO PCB delegation.

When choosing their representatives the candidate organizations must

take in consideration:

· His or her ability to work as part of a team with other NGO

PCB delegate's representatives' and with the broader community of

NGOs, CBOs and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS.

· His or her actual involvement in the AIDS response in their

country or region of residence.

· His or her availably to fulfil the mandate, namely the time

that must be allocated to NGO PCB Delegation's functions and

responsibilities.

· He or she must be a resident in a country of the region.

The representative of nominated candidate organizations should

possess the following qualifications:

· Ability to operate in written and spoken English.

· Ability to think and work strategically.

Candidate organizations must take in consideration, when choosing

their representatives that a gender and HIV status balance must be

reached in the NGO PCB Delegation.

F. Terms of the appointment

Terms that delegates serve have been staggered and will continue to

be so to ensure the development and maintenance of " institutional

memory " among the NGO PCB Delegation.

The period of service of NGO PCB delegates will be for two years,

following approval by the full PCB. A one-year extension is possible.

Therefore, a member's maximum period of service is for a possible

three years.

When a delegate's term comes to its end the NGO PCB delegation may

recommend a one year extension, for sake of development and

maintenance of institutional memory. The communities of NGOs, CBOs

and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS will be informed by the NGO

PCB Delegation, through global communications networks, that they

intend to extend the period of service of that delegate, unless

objections are raised.

Once endorsed by the community, this name will be put forward for

approval of the extension by the next full PCB.

G. Alternates

There will be an alternate delegate for each region selected under

the same rules and procedures as the delegate. The same terms of

appointment apply as those for a delegate – that is, two years with a

possible extension of one year. Conditions, reasons and procedures to

extend the period of service are the same as for the delegates.

H. Cessation of Appointment

Any appointment will be annulled if the attributes, qualifications

and considerations, upon which either the organization or its

representative have been selected proved to be invalid.

A member of the NGO PCB Delegation will cease to be a member if:

· The organization resigns.

· The organization ceases the principal HIV/AIDS involvement

and work that secured its nomination or selection to the PCB.

· A conflict of interest is declared, either with the

organization or its representative.

· If its representative leaves the organization, resigns or by

any reason internal to the delegate organization, ceases to represent

it, should two thirds of the term of the appointment have already

elapsed.

In the event that a delegate organization ceases to be a member of

the NGO PCB delegation, as a result of resignation or termination

from the NGO PCB delegation appointment before their term is

completed, the NGO PCB delegation may recommend that region's

alternate to serve for the remainder of the period of service. The

communities of NGOs, CBOs and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS

will be informed by the NGO PCB delegation that they intend to

nominate the alternate unless objections are raised. Once endorsed by

the community, this name will be put forward as main regional

delegate for approval by the next full PCB.

This information will be circulated through global communications

networks, although it will be made clear that the position in

question is a regional one, so that any appointment must be

appropriate to the region.

In the event that a delegate organization's main representative

ceases to be a member of the NGO PCB delegation, as a result of

either leaving their organization, termination, or resigning from the

NGO PCB delegation appointment before their term is completed, the

delegate organization will have the opportunity to appoint a

replacement representative who meets the qualifications required of a

delegate representative.

If the delegate organization is unable to identify a replacement who

meets appropriate representative qualifications, then the NGO PCB

delegation may recommend the regional alternate to fill the main

representative position for the remainder of the main delegate's term.

In the event that a delegate organization's alternate ceases to be a

member of the NGO PCB delegation , as a result of either leaving

their organization, termination, or resigning from the NGO PCB

delegation appointment before their term is completed, the delegate

organization of the alternate will have the opportunity to nominate a

replacement representative who meets the qualifications required of a

delegate representative to fill the alternate representative position

for the remainder of the alternate's term.