WG Charter

INEE Working Group Charter Standards and Practice Working Group June 20151

Section I: Background The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is an open global network of over 11,500 practitioners, students, teachers, staff from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, donors, governments and universities who work together within a humanitarian and development framework to ensure all persons the right to quality education and a safe learning environment in emergencies and post-crisis recovery. The INEE Minimum Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery is the network's foundational tool. The INEE Minimum Standards provide concrete guidance based on education rights and good practices to improve access to safe, relevant and quality education. Developed through a broad consultative process, they are currently being used in over 110 countries around the world to improve program and policy planning, assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as advocacy. INEE first established a Working Group (WG) on Minimum Standards in 2003 to oversee the development of the standards. The group has since been reconstituted five times to advance, promote, and expand global efforts around the Minimum Standards. The following table presents a snapshot of the WG’s strategic priorities since 2003. For additional background information visit: www.ineesite.org/minimum-standards/working-group Active Years 2003-2004 2005- 2009

Working Group

Strategic Priorities

WG on Minimum Standards WG on Minimum Standards

2009-2011

WG on Minimum Standards

2011-2013

WG on Minimum Standards and Network Tools

2013-2015

WG on Minimum Standards and Network Tools

Development of the INEE Minimum Standards Promotion, training, analysis and implementation of the INEE Minimum Standards Update, translation, dissemination, promotion of the INEE MS and capacity building Continued promotion, application and evaluation of the INEE Minimum Standards. Expanded focus on all INEE tools Support to education policy and programming at the country level, knowledge management, and advocacy around the INEE MS and INEE tools

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This WG Charter will be formally approved by the WG at the Fall 2015 meeting.

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The current group (2015-2017) builds on the background, legacy and strengths of the WG’s previous achievements including around knowledge management, contextualization and application of the INEE Minimum Standards and capacity development. The INEE Strategic Plan (2015-2017) provides the guiding framework and direction for the priorities, initiatives and work planning of this group. This WG is in line INEE’s vision, mission, functions, and contributes to the overall INEE Strategic Plan.

Section II: Purpose and Outcomes Statement of Purpose The WG exists to support the achievement of INEE’s overall goal, “The provision of quality, safe, and relevant education for all is strengthened in crisis and crisis-prone contexts through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.” This WG’s contribution to the achievement of this goal is through an enhanced focus on Strategic Priority 3: “to increase the availability and accessibility of knowledge and information, which builds upon and strengthens capacities to deliver quality, safe and relevant education for all.” This group will lead in the mobilization of EiE knowledge, contextualization and implementation of the INEE Minimum Standards, and develop innovative strategies to professionalize and develop capacities within the field of EiE with an overall emphasis on having a clear impact at the field and country-levels. Outcome and Outputs Based on the INEE Strategic Plan (2015-2017) the following outcomes have been prioritized by the INEE WG: 1) Education polices and programming strengthened due to an increased application, contextualization, and institutionalization of the INEE Minimum Standards and other good practice tools 2) Timely and contextualized knowledge on EiE, including on emerging issues and current crises, is generated and shared widely inform advocacy, policy and practice 3) Greater accessibility and applicability of existing EiE-related research and knowledge through improved knowledge mobilization and knowledge sharing systems 4) Capacities of EiE professionals have been strengthened and the field further professionalized through the implementation of innovative and sustainable capacity development strategies 5) Increased engagement and partnerships with non-traditional players including the private sector, multi-national companies operating in fragile contexts, non-traditional government partners, social innovators from the global North and South, and technology companies 6) Strengthened and more active relationships with humanitarian and development standards setting initiatives, INEE members in the field, and underrepresented members See WG work plan (Annex I) for activities and year-long goals. Progress toward meeting objectives and goals will be reviewed at each WG meeting and 6-month priorities developed. 2



Section III: Formation, Staffing and Organization Group Formation Membership in the INEE Working Group is on an organizational basis. Any interested organization is invited to apply to become a member of the Working Group and to nominate a primary and secondary representative for a period of 2 years (2015-2017). Should the group decide to continue after the initial mandate period, members can apply for consecutive terms. An inter-agency team will assess the applications and recommend organizational members and their proposed representatives to the INEE Steering Group for approval. Working Group member organizations may participate on multiple INEE WG, however, each primary member can participate on one (1) INEE Working Group maximum. The INEE Working Group has a limited life span of 2 years. Towards the end of its lifespan, the Working Group will review and decide on the extension or renewal of the Working Group. Recommendation for extension or renewal of the Working Group will be made to the INEE Steering Group. INEE Coordinator A full time Coordinator facilitates the Working Group projects and communications. The Coordinator is responsible for managing the global implementation and monitoring of the WG work plan. The INEE Coordinators consults regularly with the WG Chairs and shares information, updates and call for engagement with the WG. The Coordinator is also a member of the INEE Secretariat and liaises with and is supervised by the INEE Director. The INEE Director provides Strategic guidance to the WG, participates in WG meetings as possible, and ensures overall coherence between all INEE WGs. The INEE Coordinator shares information and solicits guidance from the INEE Steering Group and Secretariat. Ways of Working For the implementation of each WG activity, the WG will form small teams of WG members and identify a focal point to lead the activity. Where appropriate, such teams will consist of members from other INEE WGs. The WG and its activities are carried out by WG members, facilitated by the INEE Coordinator, in close collaboration with the WG Co-Chairs. Funding permitting, the Coordinator is supported by Deputy Coordinator, consultants and interns. The WG will meet in-person twice a year, approximately every six months. WG members at these meetings will review progress made on WG priorities over the past 6 months and organize activities for the following 6-12 months. Principles of WG project implementation include: Collaboration with all entities within the INEE Secretariat: the WG is committed to communicate and collaborate effectively and substantively with all entities within the INEE Secretariat, the INEE Working Groups, INEE Language Communities, the INEE Task Teams and the INEE communications team. This ensures cross-fertilization within the INEE Secretariat, better internal coordination and no duplication of efforts. In addition, the WG sees this collaboration as a 3

learning opportunity. The Coordinator will take the lead on cross-Secretariat collaboration. Updates from the Secretariat on joint initiatives will be shared periodically with all WG members. Engagement of the entire INEE membership: in implementing this Strategic Plan, the WG will harness the engagement of the 11,500 INEE members. Wherever possible and appropriate, the WG will seek the members’ feedback and participation in key activities. The WG will also seek to understand periodically how members are engaging with the INEE Minimum Standards and other network tools. The Coordinator will be the focal point on INEE member engagement in collaboration with the INEE Communications team. Engagement with the IASC Education Cluster: the WG will engage with the IASC Education Cluster at global level on advocacy and policy issues and at country level on promotion and application of the tools. This engagement will be led by the INEE Coordinator who participates as a member of the Education Cluster Working Group.

Section IV: Membership Criteria and Responsibilities Roles and Responsibilities Each organization will commit a primary and secondary representative to the WG. Both members are expected to be informed on- and actively engaged in- INEE activities. If the primary WG member can not attend a WG meeting, it is expected that the secondary representative will participate. If an organization misses (2) two consecutive WG meetings, they will have to step off the group to ensure there is space for actively participating members. This rule will be enforced by the INEE Secretariat in collaboration with the INEE Director and WG co-chairs. Exceptions may be made for active WG members representing local/national NGOs with limited funds to support in-person participation. The WG will be lead by the Coordinator in collaboration with the WG Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs of the WG are responsible for providing strategic guidance and advice to the Coordinator in the implementation of the annual work plan. Co-chairs will be appointed for (2) two year terms. Additional responsibilities listed below. Organizational Member Criteria (Institution) • • • •

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The organization's interest in and commitment to supporting and contributing to the INEE WG objectives and activities; Promotion of the INEE Minimum Standards and other WG products and processes within their organizations, to partners and networks; Willingness to share expertise, technical materials and work in a collaborative manner on behalf of INEE; Background and experience relevant to the objectives of the Working Group: Institutional expertise in education in emergencies, post-crisis recovery, disaster risk reduction; Institutional expertise relevant to the particular tasks of the Working Group. Commitment of resources including funds to cover travel to WG meetings and staff time, approximately 1-2 days each month; Organizations should commit to the entire period of two years; Assist in Working Group fundraising efforts; 4



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Other voluntary contributions, such as support to material development, hosting meetings; printing and distribution of materials, conference calls, and indication of annual financial and/or in-kind contributions.

Organizational Representative Criteria (Person) • • • •

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Organizational seniority in order to ensure institutional buy-in, bring others on board, and influence decision-makers and donors; Professional education and/or protection background; Direct experience in education programmes in situations of emergencies, crisis and early recovery and relevant professional network; Special skills, such as development of strategy and policy; planning and administration of programs; program implementation, assessment, monitoring and evaluation; group facilitation and training; advocacy skills; facilitation and capacity development; effective writing and fundraising abilities; and education cluster/sector-related experience; Field-based, field-focused or policy-focused position; Access to efficient means of electronic communication, including e-mail and phone.

Organizational Representative Responsibilities (Person) • • • •

Actively participating and leading activities of the WG; Promoting the INEE WG activities internally within the organization as well as externally with partners and networks; Participating in WG in-person meetings, conference calls and other events; Assisting in fundraising efforts, as needed;

Co-chair Responsibilities (Person) • • • • • • • • •

Support the Coordinator with advice and guidance through regular communication and other tasks as needed in order to ensure timely progress on the workplan of the WG Lead the direction of the WG through communication, facilitating meetings, and other tasks, in collaboration with the Coordinator Chair telephone conferences in coordination with the Coordinator, as necessary Communicate and share information regularly with co-chairs of the other INEE WGs in order to ensure Develop WG meeting agendas in collaboration with the Coordinator Lead relevant sessions of the WG meetings Liaise with Coordinator through phone calls, emails, and other means of communication; Liaise with WG members as needed Provide guidance and leadership in the development, monitoring and evaluation of the WG work plan Provide input and strategic guidance to support specific project activities of the WG

Time Commitment: Working Group members will be expected to attend two meetings each year (one approximately every six months). Each meeting will be 2 days in length and may include an optional third day for advocacy meetings, field visits, trainings or other activities to implement or promote the INEE Minimum Standards. More time will be required for conference calls, e-mail correspondence, and coordinating and carrying out the WG work plan. Working Group members will need to make a commitment to keep in touch and respond to communications and meeting deadlines, even when traveling on other program business. Working Group members will do their 5

work alongside their regular jobs; estimation of this time commitment is approximately two to four days per month. This time commitment and work should ideally be written into the job description of the Working Group member.

Appendix I. Working Group Work Plan

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