Strategic Advisory Group

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Should the Cluster decide it wants a SAG-type management mechanism, Terms of Reference should be agreed by the entire membership as one of the first actions of the Cluster. These TORs should ideally contain:

• Agree SAG composition and way of working, including Terms of Reference;
• Draw up and agree Terms of Reference for Cluster Partners;
• Formulate and agree the Cluster’s ‘Strategic Operational Framework’ (SOF); ensure formal ratification by Government; ensure complementarity with government policies and plans at local level; update regularly according to evolving needs; and hold partners to account against this framework
• Formulate and agree the Cluster workplan; and provide strategic oversight of its application by Cluster partners; 
• Establish ‘Technical Working Groups’ (TWIGs) as required and hold such groups accountable to Terms of Reference agreed by the SAG; ensure proper representation within such groups; ensure timely output; ensure transparent reporting; and close such groups;
• Formulate and agree advocacy positions on behalf of the Cluster partners;
• Provide strategic planning oversight for effective and efficient allocation of resources by Cluster partners;
• Provide strategic oversight on integration of cross-Cluster planning and inclusion of cross-cutting issues (in close cooperation with the OCHA Cluster Coordinator);
• Agree performance indicators, and method by which these will be measured;
• Ensure appropriate technical standards are agreed and consistently applied;
• Support the Cluster Lead Coordinator in setting up dedicated mechanisms and systems for transparent and equitable allocation and monitoring of ‘pooled’ funds available to the Cluster;
• Oversight technical, financial, and functional capacities of Cluster partners
• Oversight quality assurance, market price fluctuations, and quantities available from local and/or national markets;
• Ensure coherence of public messaging
• Ensure the Cluster Lead upholds its responsibilities by applying both Cluster and Cluster partner Terms of Reference
• It is the responsibility of the Cluster Coordinator to ensure that outputs from SAG meetings are brought to the attention of, and followed up with relevant authorities, promulgated in plenary coordination meetings, reflected in Situation Reports (which provide the working ‘frame-of-reference’ for the Cluster membership and beyond), and posted to the relevant web-site.