NBD Structure

NBD Governance Structure
The NBD governance structure provides for a two-way flow of information to enable information on NBI projects and processes to reach local levels in each country and for civil society concerns and development issues to influence the way the NBI works at all levels, including regionally. This process is facilitated and supported through National Discourse Forums, extending in some countries down to Local Discourse Forums – e.g. in Sudan. Since late 2005 – and until the NBD becomes a fully functioning organization with regional status in the basin – the NBD has been supported by IUCN under its Regional Programme for Eastern Africa. During this period the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has provided technical support including on poverty reduction, media training and civil society capacity building in social impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation. Both organisations have been invited to participate in Steering Committee meetings. Linkages to Nile Basin Initiative Structures and Activities General Assembly and National Discourse Forums The apex institution governing the NBD is the General Assembly (GA). This takes three members from each National Discourse Forum and meets each year to oversee progress on activity plans, establish key transboundary linkages between different national activities and address issues of scaling up the impact and influence of the NBD at all levels. The principal significance of the GA lies in supporting the strategic direction of the NBD. Three members from each NDF ensures that it has a broad-based civil society perspective including issues such as environment, poverty reduction and economic development. [ADD SOMETHING ON THE TWO GA MEETINGS HELD TO DATE?] Steering Committee The Steering Committee (SC) is the key NBD management body and comprises one member from each country chosen by respective national-level general assemblies. The SC oversees the implementation of country and basin-wide workplans (including that of the Discourse Desk) and provides overall coordination and advice on the basin-wide activity programme. This includes decision making on managing the responsive budget lines available to competitive bidding by country NDFs. The core SC will comprise no more than 10 members (one per Nile country – though at present there are only nine countries involved) as well as an invited representative from each of IUCN and ODI. To ensure capacity to manage a complex process effectively, the SC will meet quarterly within the basin, and will have to have a minimum of 10 country members present to reach a quorum. Discourse Desk The Discourse Desk (DD) provides the Secretariat for the NBD and is based in Entebbe, Uganda, close to the NBI Secretariat. Headed by a Discourse Coordinator who is supported by a Knowledge and Communications Officer, Finance Officer and Secretary, the DD coordinates the funding and administration of the basin-wide activity programme. This includes tracking national activities, ensuring targets are achieved and providing information to the SC on progress against tobjectives and the achievement of milestones. In addition the DD provides technical support to the NDFs, the SC and GA and is the key point of contact with the NBI Secretariat. In addition the Desk hosts information sources, provides technical capacity and contracts consultant inputs on regional-level activities. It also manages regional research initiatives and undertakes publications and communications roles ranging from newsletter production to managing the NBD website.

©2009

Sword dancing at Kassala Workshop

Sword dancing at Kassala Workshop

Delegates at the Tekezze-Atbara workshop, Kassala

Delegates at the Tekezze-Atbara workshop, Kassala

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