IAG and IAG Chair

The International Advisory Group (IAG)

The IAG helps DFID steer the project. The IAG consists of:

A representative of each pilot country, appointed by the MSGs
Four expert appointments representing industry, civil society and academia
One representative each from DFID and the World Bank.

The members of the IAG represent the main CoST stakeholder groups:

The IAG country representatives present feedback and lessons learnt on the basis of the experience of the country Multi-Stakeholder Groups
The IAG expert appointees provide technical advice and comparative country knowledge
The IAG academia and civil society representatives ensure that the IAG follows the CoST principle of multi-stakeholder participation and consensus.

For more details on the role and responsibilties of this body, see the IAG Terms of Reference.

The IAG Chair

The IAG Chair derives his (her) mandate from the IAG’s discussions and decisions and acts as an ambassador and international champion of CoST.

The Chair’s primary focus is the building of partnerships with key stakeholders, raising the profile of CoST internationally and building support for the next phase of CoST.

The Chair also has a key role in ensuring the IAG processes and policies are adequate and facilitate the IAG function. He must ensure that the policy and guidance he supports is consistent with the CoST guiding principles and design documents.

The Chair is responsible for:

Chairing the IAG and facilitating dialogue and decision- making as needed between IAG meetings;
Identifying needs for improved IAG processes and policies and collaborating with the Secretariat and DFID on addressing such needs;
Ensuring the IAG meetings are participatory, well prepared, the agenda set is relevant and the decision- making process is based on consensus; and
Ensuring that lessons learned are captured and disseminated as agreed during the IAG meetings and technical support needed by the IAG is properly prioritised.

The Chair is the first point of contact for IAG members in respect to issues of CoST policy and principles.

The Chair is asupported by the IAG vice-Chair and by the International Secretariat on a regular basis. The Secretariat supports the Chair in achieving the decisions and recommendations of the IAG and in his role representing CoST internally and externally.

The position of IAG Chair for the pilot stage is held by Christiaan Poortman.

Documents of the IAG

The IAG has met regularly throughout the pilot phase and a number of outputs in connnection with these meetings offer insight into the CoST project as well as the working of the IAG and CoST policy making.

Report of the IAG upon the completion of the CoST pilot phase (January 2011)

Agenda and information on the CoST IAG members on the occasion of the first IAG Meeting (January 2009)

List of CoST IAG Members as at January 2011