THE CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND ADVISORY GROUP
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

         The Secretary-General would like to request nominations for membership on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Advisory Group.

         The General Assembly on 15 December, 2005 as part of its resolution on Strengthening the Coordination of the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations (A/RES/60/124) decided to upgrade the Central Emergency Revolving Fund into the Central Emergency Response Fund by including a grant element, funded by voluntary contributions, in order to ensure a more timely, predictable and equitable response to humanitarian crises.  The Secretary-General will launch the new Fund in New York on 9 March 2006.

         As envisioned by the Secretary-General’s report on Improving the Central Emergency Revolving Fund (A/60/432) and as endorsed by the General Assembly, a CERF Advisory Group will be established to provide guidance and expert advice to the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator on the use and impact of the Fund, and to make recommendations on Fund replenishment.  The Advisory Group will be comprised of 12 experts who will serve in their individual capacity.  Eight experts will be drawn from the pool of contributors to the Fund’s grant facility, and four experts will be selected from a range of partners and stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, practitioners, academic and research institutions and the private sector.

         The Secretary-General will select Advisory Group members according to the composition above and based on demonstrated, senior-level experience and expertise in responding to a range of  humanitarian emergencies, with due consideration on the need for broad ownership, geographical diversity and gender balance, and with an emphasis on attaining a mix of skills required for the effective management of the Fund.  Member States are encouraged to nominate experts both from within and outside of government, and may also nominate one permanent alternate.  Other interested organizations with expertise in humanitarian response are encouraged to nominate qualified experts, for the four slots available to non-CERF contributors.

         The terms of reference provides additional details on the principal functions and procedures of the CERF Advisory Group.

         Should your government or organization wish to make a nomination to the CERF Advisory Group, kindly respond to this note by providing the name, current title, contact information and short professional resume to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Jan Egeland, by 15 March 2006.  It is expected that the Secretary-General will announce selected candidates by 31 March and will convene the first meeting of the Advisory Group in April.

February 2006