SDC-IWMI-SoLAR Project Steering Committee TOR
Terms of Reference for Project Steering Committee of SDC-SoLAR
1. TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
This TOR establishes the purpose and responsibilities of the Project Steering
Committee (henceforth called “PSC”) of Swiss Development Cooperation-
(henceforth called “SDC”) funded and the International Water Management Institute-
(henceforth called “IWMI”) implemented project titled “Solar Irrigation for Agricultural
Resilience in South Asia”, henceforth referred to by its acronym “SoLAR”. This project
is implemented by IWMI in partnership with Infrastructure Development Corporation
(henceforth called “IDCOL”), Government of Bangladesh; Gujarat Energy Research
and Management Institute (henceforth called “GERMI”), Government of Gujarat,
India; Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (henceforth called “AEPC”), Government
of Nepal, and Federal Water Management Cell (henceforth called “FWMC”),
Government of Pakistan.
The PSC is the key body within the project governance structure that is responsible
for high level inputs and guidance to the Regional Project Leader and the extended
project team, so that the project meets its objectives as stated in the Proposal
Document (henceforth called Pro-Doc) submitted to SDC by IWMI and as per the
Project Agreement document.
2. PURPOSE
The overall purpose of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) is to review and
approve annual work plans, monitor progress in project execution, provide strategic
and policy guidance, and to support communication and dissemination of project
outcomes. . The Project Steering Committee will have decision-making authority to
review the overall project development over the project life time.
The role and responsibilities of the PSC is as follows:
• approve the Annual Project Work Plan and any changes thereto, taking into
consideration its impact on timelines, budget and deliverables in accordance
with guidelines provided by SDC;
• Review the project progress and provide guidance and recommendations
ensure that project goals and outcomes as set out in the Pro-Doc are met
• provide expert advice and guidance to the project team with setting and
adjustment of project strategy and assist in identification and resolution of
strategic issues and risks;
• review and advise on interim and final project deliverables;
• support communication and dissemination of project outcomes and policy
recommendations.
• support the project team in convening and guiding the development of
partnerships with researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
SDC-IWMI-SoLAR Project Steering Committee TOR
• provide strategic direction and inform the implementation of the project to
achieve the utilisation plan objectives (including plans for publications)
• provide advice to the Regional Project Leader on project outcomes, activities
and deliverables;
• address any issue that has major implications for the project;
• provide advice and assist in the communication and promotion of the project
and its related outcomes to the sector;
• assist with development of links between the project and other relevant
sectoral networks;
• actively participate in meetings through attendance, discussion, and review
of minutes, papers and other PSC papers;
• make recommendations for the development of related project materials and
documentation;
• ensure the project close out procedure is completed and signed off by the
Project Steering Committee.
3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 The Project Steering Committee shall consist of six (6) regular members and five (5) co-
opted members.
3.2 The regular members of PSC will be:
a) Head, SDC, Chair
b) Deputy Director General, IWMI – Co-Chair
c) Regional Project Leader, IWMI – Member Secretary
d) SDC Project Manager
e) Country Representative, IWMI India
f) Special Advisor to the Project (to be invited)
3.3 The co-opted members of PSC will be:
a) Representative, International Solar Alliance, ISA
b) Representative, IDCOL, Bangladesh
c) Representative, GERMI, Gujarat, India
d) Representative, AEPC, Nepal
e) Representative, FWMC, Pakistan
4. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES
4.1 The PSC will meet twice a year (once remotely, once during the yearly face to face
meeting of all project personnel) and discuss project progress, approve project
annual work plan and provide advice on course correction, if needed. The co-opted
members will meet once, during the face to face meeting of the PSC, and their
feedback will be sought on country components.
SDC-IWMI-SoLAR Project Steering Committee TOR
4.2 The PSC will be supported by the Regional Project Leader, IWMI, who will act as the
Member Secretary of this commitee. The Regional Project Leader, IWMI will be
responsible for preparing and distributing agendas, the minutes of PSC meetings,
project updates and other relevant and related project correspondence and do so in
consultation with SDC Project Manager.
4.3 The minimum number of meetings for the Project Steering Committee is two per year
– one face to face, and one meeting will be held remotely. It is recommended
meetings are scheduled half yearly as per the reporting requirements set out in the
Project Agreement.
4.4 Meeting quorum is a minimum of three of the regular members (for two meetings in
a year) and two of the co-opted members (for one meeting in a year)
4.5 All members of the PSC will receive twice yearly regular updates on the status of the
project and on the significant project developments from the Regional Project Leader.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE
All verbal and written communication and project related documents, whether in whole or in
part, between the project team, PSC members shall be treated as confidential. They must not
be made accessible to third parties unrelated to the project nor used for purposes other than
those for which they were supplied or elaborated.