MERG Members: MERG membership takes into consideration: the number of members, disciplinary background and technical expertise, institutional representation, geographical representation; gender balance, commitment to participate; absence of conflict of interest, period of service, member continuity, rotation, and the designated replacement policy.
The MERG membership is upon personal invitation and includes: (a) M&E directors or senior-level M&E focal points from Cosponsors and major bi- and multilateral agencies with substantial involvement in AIDS M&E; (b) M&E directors or senior-level M&E focal points from national AIDS programmes; (c) internationally recognized technical M&E experts; and, (d) M&E focal points from civil society organisations. The Chairs of the Regional M&E Working Groups, where they may exist, are members of the MERG. Potential additional members may be suggested by PCB members and by Member States for consideration by the MERG Chair.
MERG members are expected to attend annual MERG meetings, review and comment on all MERG materials provided, and represent their personal professional expert advice in all MERG discussions and decision-making.
Executive Council: The MERG Executive Council consists of the M&E directors or senior-level M&E focal points of the top ten funders of M&E support. The Executive Council focuses on implementation support related to M&E norms and guidance endorsed by the MERG.
Chair: The MERG Chair is held by the UNAIDS Secretariat/Monitoring and Evaluation Division. The MERG Chair has responsibility for setting the overall direction and work plan of the MERG; overseeing the MERG Secretariat; developing the annual meeting agenda and determining ad-hoc participation; convening the Executive Council; and, ensuring follow-up actions of the MERG TWGs.
MERG Secretariat: The MERG shall develop a yearly work plan that includes the preparation for the annual meeting, coordination of the work of the different ad-hoc MERG TWGs, and other specific activities that arise from year to year. The MERG will be assisted in the planning and implementation of these activities by a logistics Secretariat under the direction of the MERG Chair. In addition to planning the annual meeting and assisting with the annual MERG work plan, the MERG Secretariat shall identify human and financial resources, including support from institutions that are part of the MERG membership, for carrying out the work of the TWGs. The MERG Secretariat will also make additional arrangements, as required, to support specific functions such as the creation and servicing of electronic discussions groups.
MERG website (http://www.mergunaids.org)