GOVERNANCE

ERFAN structure

The organisational structure, relying on on task–based responsibilities, is functional to control and coordinate actions at different levels. The relationships between the different units are horizontal, involving all ERFAN members directly in the decision-making processes and minimizing management supervision. Teamwork, collaboration and the exchange of ideas are the hallmarks of ERFA Network.

  • Secretariat

  • Scientific Committee

  • Working Groups

Secretariat

The administrating body of the ERFAN Network, hosted at IZSAM.

TASKS
Coordination, facilitation & liaison

At the IZSAM the ERFAN Secretariat has been established.

As administrating body of the ERFA-Network and on behalf of member partners, the Secretariat is responsible for implementation of the policies and activities of the scientific network.

Areas of action

Secretariat’s areas of action and responsibility include Veterinary Science, International Relations, Project Design, Administration and Finance, Fundraising, translation and interpretation.

Main duties & responsibilities

  • Coordinating the activities with local staff to ensure regional/general meetings are efficient and effective;

  • Organizing, in terms of logistics and infrastructure, the regional/general meetings with the local support;

  • Developing and maintaining effective relationships with partners in order to support the working groups and achieve ERFAN objectives;

  • Collecting data on research projects;

  • Providing necessary information to partners;

  • Preparing summary technical and financial reports required by the WOAH on Working Groups activities;

  • Preparing the provisional agenda of meetings, according to the participants;

  • Preparing of background data, documentation and synthesis of research results;

Scientific Committee

Composed by the coordinators of the Working Groups.

CORE ROLE
Scientific quality & integrity

The Scientific Committee is composed by the coordinators of Working Groups.

Tasks

Ensuring continued quality and scientific integrity of the projects.

Main duties & responsibilities

  • Identifying local needs and requirements for research and development in veterinary field;

  • Promoting the meetings – networking activities with local scientific organizations;

  • Helping to review the scientific projects;

  • Evaluating collectively the action plans by each group and the report back on activities, in terms of organization, results, management, objectives, general decisions, final report;

  • Preparing financial report to be approved by the Steering Committee.

  • Assuring scientific content of working groups;

  • Formulating a final document relating specific activities;

  • Evaluating the project proposals at the regional meetings;

  • Stimulating the application for international grants;

Working Groups

Each African and Italian Institution can take part with a delegate.

LED BY
Two coordinators — African & Italian sides

Each African and Italian Institution can take part with a delegate in the working groups.

Tasks

Each working group is led by two coordinators, for the African and Italian sides. The coordinators play a crucial role in creating a productive and active WG. In charge for two years, he/she is responsible for checking on the activity progress.

The tasks ascribed to them relate to:

  • drawing up the list of actvities;

  • reporting activities executed

  • identifying strategies (from a technical, communicative and economic point of view) intended to support ERFAN’s objectives.

Main duties & responsibilities

The WGs draw up an action list annually, at regional level, according to the WOAH mandate as regards the Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres

The reports focus on budget, tasks, responsibility with a view to ownership and direct involvement.

The research activities for each area are determined on evidence of priority. Each group builds up three proposals for focus area and the Scientific Committee will evaluate them. Emphasis is placed on the cross border collaboration and transanational projects.

The Scientific Committee helps to draft full project proposals.