ECOWAS PEACE FUND GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT BODIES

GOVERNANCE BODY

• The Champion and the Strategic Advisers of the Fund

A Head of State from an ECOWAS member state will be appointed to serve as a Champion of the Peace Fund for two consecutive years. His/Her role will be to promote global visibility and attract worldwide support for the fund. He/She can designate an international figure/star as a good will Ambassador for the Fund, to assist him/her in this role.
In addition, three (3) high level personnalites will be appointed intuiti personae as Strategic Advisors of the Fund, to support both the Champion and the ECOWAS Commission in the promotion de the Peace Fund.

• The Steering Board (Board)

Responsibility:
The Steering Board (Board) oversees and decides on the overall direction/orientation of the ECOWAS Peace Fund, the priorities for the fund interventions and consideration of specific programmes. It approves the annual reports (technical and financial) and examines the audits of the fund. It can mandate the Technical and Approval Committee or a relevant stakeholder to undertake specific assignment on matters relating to the fund. The Board meets yearly but can hold extraordinary meetings as deemed necessary. It provides guidance and support for the mobilization of resources for the fund. It can call on the Council of Ministers or any other institution for matters relating to the fund.

Composition:

• Representatives of the ECOWAS Commission
  • – Commissioner of Finance
  • – Commissioner of Political Affairs Peace and Security
  • – Commissioner of Social Affairs and Gender
  • – Commissioner of Education, Science & Culture
  • – Commissioner of Industry and Private Sector
  • – Secretary General
  • – Director of Legal Affairs

• Representatives of Donors/Partners (2)
  • Representative of West African Civil Society Organizations (1)
    • Representatives of the private sector (1)
    • A Representative of Member State (Ambassador of the country chairing ECOWAS affairs), as secretary of the Steering Committee
    • Technical and Approval Committee (TAC)
      • Responsibility:
        The TAC is responsibile for establishing funding priorities for the fund and defining specific programmes it should address. In addition, the Committee undertakes final review and approves relevant initiatives and proposals recommended by the Proposal Appraisal, Review and Vetting Committee (PAREV), for funding by the Peace Fund. Such applications for funding are expected from Member States and Civil Society Organizations and others (academia, training institutions and training centers of excellence). The TAC can meet and validly deliberate if at least 60% of its members are present, namely representatives of the Mediation and Security Council (member States) and ECOWAS Directorates as follows:
        • Two (2) representatives of ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at Ambassadorial level
        • Director of Political Affairs
        • Director of Finance
        • Director of Humanitarian & Social Affairs
        • Director of Early Warning
        • Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security
        • Director of Education
        • Director of External Relations
        • Director of Human Resources
        • Manager of ECOWAS Peace Fund
        • – Secretary General
        • – Director of Legal Affairs

The report of the TAC is co-produced by one of the representatives of the MSC and the Manager of the Peace Fund.

• Proposals Appraisal, Review and Vetting Committee (PAREV)

The PAREV appraises, reviews and vets requests for funding submitted to the Peace Fund by applicants from Member States,Civil Society Organizations and other entities. After vetting, the PAREV makes subsequent recommendations accordingly, for consideration and approval by the TAC, the Technical and Approval Committee. It can deliberate on funding applications if at least 60% of its members are present.
The membership of the PAREV consists of professionals and senior officials from the following directorates:

• Political Affairs
• Finance

• Early Warning
• Peacekeeping and Regional Security
• Education

• Administration
• Peace Fund Division

In order to carry out its duties, the PAREV can invite other stakeholders to attend its meetings.

ECOWAS PEACE FUND management team (EPFMT)

The ECOWAS Peace Fund Management Team (EPFMT) is in charge of the day to day operations (coordination and management) of the fund, abiding by the rules and procedures, transparency and accountability. The team is composed of the following staff:

• Fund Manager – Already in place
• Administrative Assistant
• Programme Officer M&E (the current research officer fits this position)
• Programme Officer Communication/IT/Visibility
• Accountant/Finance Officer (will be sourced from the Finance Department)
• Driver – Already in place.