Requesting nominations for a core team to support Pan African Ecovillage Development Programme (PAEDP)

Way Forward: PAEDP Development and MoUs with African Governments

Proposal for Creating a Core Team and Implementation Plan

GEN & GEN Africa AdHoc Working Group

Background/Introduction

In the Light of the implementation of the Pan-African Ecovillage Development Programme (PAEDP) in Africa, GEN and GEN Africa have worked closely in bringing this concept to the UN Climate Summit Conferences (COPs) and many African countries. So far, 9 African governments have signed MoUs with GEN (Zimbabwe, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, The Gambia, and DR Congo) to implement climate smart ecological and community-led solutions. Following the commitment of governments through National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and focusing on implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this partnership is an opportunity to meet the commitments and an entry point for GEN to spread Ecovillage principles and solutions across communities in Africa.

It also provides an opportunity for GEN and GEN Africa to provide support for ecovillage development projects and work in countries throughout Africa initially and then as time goes on elsewhere around the world – beginning with Colombia where there is already a great deal of interest and support.

• GEN Africa will collaborate with GEN on the development and implementation of the PAEDP and follow up on the MOU’s in Africa.

• A core team is elected on merit including representatives from GEN and GEN Africa with the selection of the Team Members guided by the Terms of Reference (ToR).
• GEN Africa secretariat will support coordination in reaching out to and following up with the governments that GEN/GEN Africa have signed MoUs with, along with any additional African countries that are interested in this where GEN has a strong presence/membership.
• The GEN UN Advocacy Team will continue to plan for and coordinate GEN’s presence at COP26 and Kenza Isnasni will work with Sonita Mbah as the liaison with GEN Africa in regards to the PAEDP and follow up on the MOU’s connected with this. Both organizations need to be present to move things forward.

• GEN Africa plans to build connections through African organizations mainly the African Union but also many other civil society, governmental and intergovernmental organizing efforts and organizations.

There is a great opportunity to upscale the PAEDP program, first we have to keep the connections with the existing partners alive. We would require members with a higher level of expertise and eventually the chance to access higher climate funds. This needs a strong team in GEN Africa and within GEN which has the experience, maturity and capacity to hold this for the benefit of the entire network in both Africa and around the world. To facilitate the selection of such a core team for Africa, see the proposed Terms of Reference on the next page.

Core Team for GEN Africa – MoU with Governments

Terms of Reference

These Terms of Reference for the Core PAEDP Team for GEN Africa to move forward with the MoUs with governments and to implement a strategic development plan which has now been approved by both the GEN Africa Council (03.10.2020) and the GEN Board (23.09.2020) meetings on the stated dates.

Definitions

The Charity means the Global Ecovillage Network (SCIO), the charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

The Network means the Global Ecovillage Network, the international network which includes regional networks, national networks, ecovillages, projects and other members of GEN, represented at the General Assembly.

GEN where used alone means both The Charity and The Network.

The Regions means all continental Regions. If not intended to refer to all regions, the specific region will be mentioned.

GEN Africa means the Global Ecovillage Network Africa (non-profit) registered in Senegal.

PAEDP means the Pan-African Ecovillage Development Programme

The Team means the Strategic Advocacy & Steering Team, as defined by these terms of reference.

Purpose and scope

To develop and implement a framework, strategy and plan for implementing the PAEDP and follow up on implementing both existing and new MOUs

The elected Team will work professionally with GEN staff representatives’ support, GEN Africa staff and Council to ensure a smooth transition and continuity. Their work should strengthen connections between these different teams, however the Team should focus on implementing the PAEDP/MoUs.

The Team should embody the vision of the PAEDP and develop programmes with African governments for the programme’s strategy taking steps and including timelines that could deliver on the Team’s Intent.

The Team will make recommendations for implementation and include partners at national levels where necessary. (To be improved – process to be developed between GEN Africa and GEN, Programmes development, Implementation plan, and execution etc.)

The Team is required to refrain from any private negotiations with any of the African governments and/or external parties connected to this programme that may result in private gains and/or is not mutually beneficial to The Network directly.

Programme Development

The Programme and Projects will be developed, according to the following principles – which may also be augmented or revised by the Team after suitable discussion:

1. PAEDP should work where it counts i.e. where there are interested people in key positions.
2. Each country should have its own PAEDP team who should report to the relevant Team and GEN Africa leadership and structures.
3. The work team for each PAEDP should have the citizens of the target country in the majority.
4. The resources should be put in place after the working teams have designed the implementation plan.
5. PAEDP should be built on self sustaining models to the extent possible and feasible. They should not be anchored on external resources, though it is recognized that capital investments and expenditures are often required as well. External resources should thus come in to supplement local initiatives.
6. PAEDP should largely be locally driven from the bottom up.

Domain and Responsibilities of the Team

The Team is mandated, in conjunction with the Regions and Network, to carry out the following actions in regard to both signed, draft Memorandums of Agreement (MoUs) and Letters of Interest. The outcome is to achieve beneficial outcomes for stakeholders. To design and fund appropriate strategies to manifest the intent of each MoU.

This will inter alia include:

Communications, marketing and segment development

• Clarifying what success may look like to different stakeholders.
• Establish, re-establish and maintain appropriate communication and marketing channels with relevant stakeholders in each country.
• Design appropriate marketing and public relations through a range of media channels and segments.
• Maintain a website and social media presence to maximise the overall project from an advocacy and delivery perspective including references and updates by stakeholders in collaboration with GEN and GEN Africa.
• Ensure regular visits to sites by teams for marketing and proof of practice.
• Benchmark progress against UN SDGS and other related UN and intergovernmental initiatives and agreements relative to the goals of the PAEDP and EDP working cooperatively with the GEN UN Advocacy Working Group.

Strategy, Execution and Outcome Delivery

▪ Appoint local nominated GEN Africa country teams for country relevant solutions in consultation with GEN Africa and GEN.

▪ Coordinate and mandate the budget, research, design and marketing for country based solutions in collaboration with governments departments, communities, other existing projects, GEN stakeholders and other relevant parties.

▪ Work with GEN Africa country teams or where appropriate, directly with communities to establish support and benefits.

• Act as the official representatives for GEN and GEN Africa to governments and governmental bodies in all matters relevant to the MoUs and overall PAEDP.

▪ Attract high profile champions to secure funding, interest and press coverage. (e.g. UN high potentials support programme for Millennial Goals)

▪ Identify opportunities in collaboration with country teams for working with entrepreneurs and to develop local economies for financial sustainability.

▪ Ensure all projects are set up for research reporting and publications, working with the Communication team and the GEN UN Advocacy Working Group.

Financial control, securing funding for the delivery of each country specific programme by inter alia.

• Review and approve country teams’ budgets required for basic delivery of identified projects.
• Ensure accurate budgeting and expenditure for each project, in collaboration with country stakeholders.
• Apply for appropriate funding from all identified sources; governments, donors, philanthropists, business to be measured via implementation plan.
• Maintain accurate financial reporting and records and donor reports.
• All of the above to be carried out in collaboration with and to be approved by GEN and GEN Africa

Research

• Ensure collaboration with stakeholders and universities to produce quality research papers, books, publications on the progress of the Projects globally in cooperation with GEN, the GEN Education and Research Working Group, and GEN Africa.

Approach and Reporting

The Team will work transparently and inclusively. It may hold conversations and/or facilitated gatherings with government representatives, GEN members, Regional representatives, Staff, Board and other stakeholders to inform its work. The Team may work creatively with online tools to enable people to share and develop their views and ideas.

The team will work like, or as though, they are GEN Africa consultants and engage on a project basis to strategically stand by or support negotiations with African governments or funding agencies.

The Team will share draft reports with the GEN Africa Council and the GEN staff, relevant GEN working groups and the Board.

• More specifically the Team will provide quarterly reports to the Board and the specific Region.
• The Team may approach the board for guidance and advice as required..
• The Team will have a six-month performance review carried out by the board.
• Approval for courses of action will lie with the Team but will be subject to review by either GEN staff or board and by GEN Africa.
• Financial management will be a cost /income code of the Charity.
• Audits and reviews as per accepted financial practices. .

In doing its work the Team will take account of, or draw on:

a. the PAEDP updated concept note and 7 action steps, the Baseline Study for each participating country, the Ecovillage Impact Assessment and all other relevant documents that inform these partnerships.

• b. the ToR on the signed MoUs with the African governments.

• c. the expected outputs of any funded projects related to the execution of activities with the African governments where MoUs have been or are signed.

• d. different
• e. the global climate goals, SDG commitments, and the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the countries involved.

• f. The current strategy and activities of The Network.

Schedule, process and outcomes:

While the Team will initially work on a voluntary basis, in most cases the results or outcomes coming from actual projects will be determined to some extent by the funding that is available to implement them.

• Nomination in strict accordance with Team membership requirements will be called for in late October after the ToR has been approved by the GEN Board and GEN Africa Council.

• Recommendations will be made by the AdHoc Working Group to determine how the selection process for Team Members will be conducted and decisions made.
• The Team will meet for the first time in early January 2021 to define its programme of work and thereafter as frequently as required to carry out its work – using Zoom and supplement this with communications using GEN’s Google Docs and by email.
• The Team will develop and agree on its own work programme, actions, distribution of tasks and roles, and communications and should however follow recommendations of GEN Africa/GEN.

• It may work on Sociocratic/consent-based principles. Team members will need to be available for at least 8 hours a week for the first two months.
• This team will exist for a period of either one to three years] from date of inception and will then be subject to review, modification or termination.
• Team appointments for one year, with internal performance review six monthly. Team members may be re-elected.

Where necessary, the Team or a member of the Team will be called to intervene as need be either for the purpose of implementing an activity in the said countries, negotiating with government officials etc.

The Team will keep GEN staff support persons involved and GEN Africa Council updated on its engagements as much as possible.

As this is an ongoing work, there is no specific stated time expected for the team to complete its work. However, the work of this team should be reviewed after 1 year.

Membership

The Team will include 7 – 10 people or there abouts selected from across the African continent and/or from the GEN Network

An attempt will be made to include at least:

One GEN Board member and One GEN Staff member

One GEN Africa Council member and One GEN Africa staff member

Three or four GEN Africa Regional members

External advisors with experience of successful networking and fundraising, preferably on the African continent or who have worked on the African continent and who are either already familiar with or are willing to become deeply familiar with GEN in its many different manifestations can be co-opted as required.

An administrative support person to organise meetings, keep minutes, develop and manage online tools. etc.

A communication and digital marketing, social media manager/coordinator

A high level fundraising specialist

A Finance Manager: Initially book keeping and accounting will be handled by GEN Staff working cooperatively with the Team fundraising coordinator and leadership and once a funding threshold of US$500K is passed, an internal bookkeeper will be appointed.

To elect representatives and additional team members as required (from country of project team)

The team may co-opt people with skills or experience as needed. If needed skills or experience are not available from within GEN, it may be necessary to pay for professional advice or services.

Skills and Knowledge

Team members (gender inclusiveness) will be nominated and selected on the basis of skills, knowledge and experience. Again, competency is the primary indicator. In particular the team will need to include people with:

• Relevance to project must be clear and be willing to take on board specific accountabilities for aspects of project
• Include both French and English French speaking member representatives.
• Intimate knowledge and experience of the different parts and functioning of GEN and GEN Africa
• A clear understanding of existing MoUs and work done to date.
• Astute in terms of negotiations, collaboration, organizing ability and how GEN Africa/GEN and partner organisations are acknowledged and organized.
• In depth experience and knowledge of the PAEDP, government processes and policies, the climate emergency, and range of regenerative responses
• Expertise and at least two members of the team should have demonstrated ability to operate and negotiate at governmental and senior executive level
• Founders of established and successful African ecovillages
• Experienced facilitator in delivery of an EDE and/ or Ecovillage Transition Programmes.
• Responsibilities in leadership, governance, management, decision making, responsibility sharing and action
• Community and team-building (e.g. through vision/story and relationship work, conflict transformation etc)
• High level fundraising and donor applications
• Strategic design of Marketing Communications (campaigns for marketing, social media, website design, public relations, crowdfunding)
• Liability, risk and financial management
• An ability to work intensively and constructively in a team, via the Internet, to fulfil their own commitments, reach out to others as needed and work towards a shared understanding.

The above listed skills and knowledge are not for a specific role or individual, rather it should be covered by all 7-10 team members. The role description for each position is currently being developed. For now, refer to “Membership” on page 6.

Nominations and appointments

People may self-nominate or be nominated by any member of the Council, Advisory, Staff, General Assembly, national or regional networks. Nominations must be sent to via this Google Form or contact coordinator.africa@ecovillage.org by 12:00 GMT – 20 November 2020, and must include written information on the experience and competences of the nominees and the reasons for proposing them, plus at least two references from within GEN along with one or two other references if they are deemed to be relevant and helpful in regards to the required competencies.

The GEN Board and GEN Africa Council will cooperatively review the nominations at or before the November 2020 Board Meetings. They may identify the need for a further search for team members or further questions to ask the nominees. They will then hold a Special Joint Meeting towards the end of November or beginning of December to make appointments. All Nominees are not part of the selection and review process.

Remuneration, Reimbursement and Budget

Currently there is no budget allocation for this and all funds raised will be dependent on programme development. However, once sufficient funding does become available, the Team Members will be reimbursed for the time and hours that they have spent on Programme Development and Implementation to the extent to which such funds are available and they have contributed to the work accordingly. As this will be an ongoing programme, team members are expected to sign up for at least ONE Year.

• Team members will be asked to keep a list of their contributions of max. 16 hours a week. Contributions must be linked to progressing specific budget items and agreed upon Programme goals and action strategies.
• Staff members who receive payment from The Charity or GEN Africa specifically to work on PAEDP will be excluded from this payment scheme unless it is specifically authorized in advance.
• Travel costs incurred (authorized in advance) will be refunded upon submission of valid receipts when the project is up and running.
• Payment will be made retrospectively on secured funding in part or in full, depending on revenue secured.
• The team will make decisions on a felt fair payment against the list of contributions.
• Contributions may be cash, time, materials or a combination of both.

Failure to secure funding renders claims for payment null and void and work will be seen as volunteering.