GRASP Structure

GRASP is a unique alliance between great ape range states and other interested countries; the biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs); United Nations institutions; international and national conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector institutions.

In addition, a number of GRASP Patrons work to give the organization the required international prominence in the political and public arena. The GRASP Secretariat manages the day-to-day operations of the organization, in consultation with the GRASP Executive Committee, the GRASP Scientific Commission, and the GRASP Technical Support Team.

GRASP Council

GRASP's work is guided by the GRASP Council. The GRASP Council assists the GRASP Executive Committee and the GRASP Secretariat to determine and implement a fundraising strategy and great ape conservation priority actions. Each GRASP member has a seat on the GRASP Council while GRASP Supporting Partners may participate in the work of the Council as observers.

GRASP Council decisions are made by consensus wherever possible. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions are reached by simple majority vote, provided that such a majority includes a majority of category A and B Partners present and voting.

GRASP Council Functions

To elect the Chairperson of the GRASP Council, who holds office for two years with the possibility of re-election for two further periods of two years each
To elect the members of the GRASP Executive Committee
To elect members to serve on the GRASP Scientific Commission
To determine the general policy and strategy of GRASP
To identify priorities and receive reports of income and expenditures
To provide, if resources permit, appropriate financial guidance for the preparation of the budget by the Secretariat

The GRASP Council meets every two years with allowance for an inter-sessional meeting if requested by more than one-third of the GRASP members. The GRASP Council decides the time and location of its meetings. Meeting locations are, as far as practical, rotated among the great ape range state geographic regions. The draft agenda for each meeting is circulated at least one month in advance of the meeting. Partners are encouraged to host meetings.

GRASP Secretariat

The GRASP Secretariat is hosted and staffed by the two sponsoring organizations, UNEP and UNESCO. Guided by the rules for the organization and management of GRASP, the Secretariat provides institutional support and expertise to the various organs mandated to run GRASP.

GRASP Staff:

Doug Cress, GRASP Coordinator

Dr. Johannes Refisch, Programme Manager

Johann Jenson, Programme Officer

Audrey Wandera, Programme Officer

Sarah Cheroben, UN Volunteer [Mayombe]

Functions

To promote the work of GRASP
To monitor the performance of GRASP-funded activities
To solicit and, where necessary, help prepare projects for funding
To seek advice from the GRASP Scientific Commission on project priorities and other issues included in the Commission’s terms of reference
To provide information on GRASP to interested parties
To determine the composition and activities of the technical support teams including the development of their terms of reference, taking into consideration the advice of the GRASP Scientific Commission, and overseeing the work of those teams
To appoint GRASP patrons, with the approval of the GRASP Executive Committee
To raise funds for GRASP activities
To facilitate communication between GRASP members and the GRASP Executive Committee
To liaise with existing donors and keep them regularly updated
To manage the finances and accounting of GRASP and report to the GRASP Council on such matters

GRASP Executive Committee

The GRASP Executive Committee is responsible to the GRASP Council and acts on its behalf in ensuring the effective implementation of the policies of the GRASP Partnership. It is assisted by the Secretariat in handling the routine activities of the GRASP Partnership. Executive Committee decisions are made by consensus wherever possible. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions are reached by simple majority vote.

The GRASP Executive Committee consists of:

Four members from among category A Partners, to be elected on a sub-regional basis (three from Africa and one from South-East Asia);
Two members from among category B Partners;
From among category C Partners, one member nominated by UNESCO and one nominated by UNEP;
One member from among category D Partners;
Two members from among category E Partners.

The full Partners in each category mentioned in the preceding paragraph elect, by simple majority vote, the member(s) for that category. The term of Executive Committee membership is two years. The members of the Executive Committee elect a Chairperson, who holds office for two years with the possibility of re-election for two further periods of two years each.

Functions

The functions of the GRASP Executive Committee are:

To monitor the implementation of GRASP policies;
To identify and oversee attainment of GRASP objectives and to decide on the funding of GRASP projects;
To commission and oversee implementation of GRASP’s role in the Global Strategy for the Survival of Great Apes;
To decide on the admission, suspension, expulsion, or limitation of the rights of full partners and supporting partners;
To seek the advice of the GRASP Scientific Commission on any issues included in the Commission’s terms of reference;
To approve the annual work plans of the GRASP Secretariat, GRASP Scientific Commission [and the technical support team;]
To oversee the activities of GRASP Patrons and to approve GRASP Secretariat recommendations regarding appointments;
To assume such other functions as are deemed necessary by the GRASP Council;

TheGRASP Executive Committee meets at least [every three months] via teleconference or electronic mail, or more frequently if required to ensure the efficient functioning of GRASP.

The GRASP Executive Committee acts on behalf of the GRASP Council in relation to all crucial decisions and matters relating to the GRASP Partnership and its great ape conservation activities between meetings of the GRASP Council. A summary of the minutes of GRASP Executive Committee meetings are submitted by the GRASP Secretariat to all GRASP members as soon as possible after each meeting.

GRASP Scientific Commission

The GRASP Scientific Commission was established in 2007 and comprises 11 members with substantial experience in the science and conservation of reat apes.

The GRASP Scientific Commission consists of:

Dr. Serge Wich (Chair), elected independantly by the below members:

Six members selected by the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN);
One nominated by the International Primatological Society (IPS);
Four members, one from each sub-region (Southeast Asia, West Africa, Central Africa and East Africa), chosen by the GRASP Executive Committee in consultation with the IPS president.

The GRASP Scientific Commission members’ terms of reference as agreed at the GRASP Executive Committee meeting held in 2007 include:

To provide scientifically sound advice to GRASP members, including the GRASP Secretariat, range states and other agencies;
To evaluate project proposals on behalf of the GRASP Secretariat and GRASP Executive Committee;
To suggest and evaluate activities of the Technical Support Team (TST);
To draft and comment on official GRASP literature, reports and other documents;
To provide advice on GRASP’s strategic goals, objectives and activities to achieve them;
To provide scientific advice on the design and implementation of major programme activities, and the sites at which they will be conducted. These may relate to climate change, biofuels, landscape level planning, ecosystem services, bush meat, disease and other issues;
To advise on scientific priorities to support the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration on Great Apes and the GRASP Programme of Action

For more details, see the complete terms of reference [English] [Français] of the Scientific Commission and the rules [English] [Français] for the organization and management of the GRASP Partnership.

GRASP Technical Support Team

GRASP may use a Technical Support Team (TST) formed on an ad hoc basis at the request of the GRASP Secretariat, the GRASP Executive Committee or the GRASP Scientific Commission. The terms of reference for the TST will be developed by the GRASP Secretariat in consultation with the GRASP Scientific Commission.

The Born Free Foundation has administered the TST programme since 2005 with support from GRASP Envoy Ian Redmond, OBE.

Functions

The function of the GRASP TST programme is:

To promote and assist the development and implementation of national action plans for the survival of great ape populations and their habitat, including the organization and coordination of workshops on the issue, as requested;
To provide technical capacity or information to the GRASP Council, GRASP Executive Committee and range states on specific great ape conservation issues, including assistance with the preparation of project proposals;
To assist, as requested, in the evaluation of great ape conservation activities;
To undertake other tasks as deemed necessary by the GRASP Executive Committee.

When a representative of a partner organization is seconded to a technical support team for a specific activity, that individual will be deemed to represent GRASP officially.

It is foreseen that in the majority of cases, the work of the technical support teams will be undertaken at the partners’ expense. However, in certain circumstances, expenses may be covered by the GRASP budget resources.

In certain cases, the GRASP Secretariat may contract the services of individuals or organizations who are not partners to render specific services to GRASP.

The technical support team will prepare an annual work plan for submission through the secretariat, for approval by the GRASP Executive Committee