Terms of Reference for Regional Directors

According to WAS AC bylaws, at least five Directors representing each region from Africa, and elected from the membership shall be appointed to the Board of Directors to serve a term that includes three consecutive Annual Business Meetings. The role of these Regional Directors is to manage WAS AC’s business affairs in their respective regions (North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Central Africa), thus creating value to our members and overall, to sustainable aquaculture development. The following TOR act as a guide for RDs to develop their action plans for the implementation of WAS AC business activities in regions, in line to WAS mandate.

 

Terms of Reference:

Under the direct supervision of WAS AC Board, the technical support from WAS AC Secretariat and in close collaboration with relevant WAS AC Standing Committees; the Regional Director will manage WAS AC business affairs in his/her respective region line with WAS’s mandate and objectives. Specific duties would include, but not limited to:

 

 

1.      ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WAS AC ACTIVITIES IN REGIONS


Draft a regional action plan that identifies the needs and priorities for the region


Propose objectives and effective intervention by WAS AC (within its line of mandate)


Set programmatic milestones/activities/targets for 2020 and 2021 to implement and address milestones below

 

2.      PROMOTION OF WAS AC IN RESPECTIVE REGIONS


Devise promotional ways and strategies to introduce, increase awareness and generate interest of WAS AC in your region.


Persuade target audiences from aquaculture communities to join WAS


Consult, discuss and formulate a custom member benefit plan applicable to members in your region

 

3.      FACILITATE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN RESPECTIVE REGIONS


Devise ways and strategies to increase and retain regional membership

Develop consistent and effective engagement strategy for your region that will contribute to increased membership - through improved understanding of regional requirements from the membership and targeted initiatives in region and countries.

Compile a directory of aquaculture actors from the region and lure them to be members of WAS AC. These will be individuals, students, corporates, governments, NGOs, regional bodies etc.

Collate baseline information about the industry and key aquaculture actors in region

Work closely with the MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE for guidance

 

4.      LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS IN REGION


Provide sound and strategic leadership to WAS members in region

Improve communication with diverse membership through a range of traditional and modern media - with a consistent message that enhances our brand and meets identified member needs.

Propose structures and working groups to address specific issues in region

Ensure members are more involved in strategic discussions, decisions and activities

Encourage regional members to be strongly involved in WAS AC Meetings, Voting, Elections and other platforms as required by the WAS bylaws

Develop society functions to further support industry members including the development of Communities of Practice: http://www.knowledge-management-tools.net/communities-of-practice.html

 

5.      EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS


Extensive promotion of WAS publications in region (JWAS, WAS Magazine, Aquaculture Africa Magazine, website etc

Ensure Chapter activities in the region are captured and published, wherever possible

Ensure inclusion of contribution materials in key languages of your region

Encourage sharing of aquaculture information or publications of relevance within your region, using various dissemination systems and tools (including social media)

Explore the opportunity of developing a focused, demand driven subregional aquaculture Journal that will feed into the Africa Aquaculture Journal (to be developed)

Work closely with the PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE for guidance

 

6.      REGIONAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS


Develop a regional event and meetings strategy that delivers a consistent approach to continuous improvement in transferring quality science and technology, knowledge and education to benefit the members and the aquaculture industry at large

Organise and facilitate knowledge building and information exchange platforms on aquaculture matters/priorities in your region. These can be workshops, conferences, discussion forums, through conference calls, webinars etc

Facilitate discussion forums for key or emerging aquaculture subjects in your region. Examples are genetics, aquatic animal health, climate change, investment in aquaculture, gender and youth in aquaculture etc.

Enhance member satisfaction with WAS services and expand attendees at a wider diversity of events targeting the varied needs of the aquaculture community.

Promote AFRAQs in your region

Recognize outstanding professionals and students for their contributions to aquaculture using a consistent, coordinated process that distinguishes criteria for selection and expectations of the award that ensures diversity of awardees. 

To work closely with the CONFERENCE COMMITTEE for guidance

 

7.      STUDENT ACTIVITIES PLAN


Compile an aquaculture student directory for your region


Create an effective regional student network for the exchange of information


Consult, discuss and formulate (with student managers from various institutions) a custom student benefit plan applicable to

member students in your region


Develop mechanisms to effectively engage students in WAS activities to increase student membership and increase transition rates of student members to full members; student to young professionals


Disseminate many of WAS student products and services to students in your region 


Design an effective mentoring scheme for students

Design an annual student awards programme

To work closely with the STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE for guidance

 

8.      PARTNERSHIPS AND LINKAGES WITH AQUACULTURE ORGANIZATIONS

Enhance linkages and alliances with aquaculture and related organizations in you region

Market, create awareness of WAS AC to regional economic committees, country governments and other non-state actors

Explore sources of funding for WAS AC programme activities through these multiple partners

 

9.      REPORTING

 

Attend Board Meetings and Board Functions as required or as called on by President (members present in meetings and eligible to vote constitute a quorum, which for these purposes is defined as 50% of the elected membership of the Board of Directors

Regular, periodic reporting of implementing the Regional Activity Plan (as and when called for by President) especially during monthly or annual board meetings

 

Notes:

Review bylaws and ensure all work activities are conducted in line with bylaws

Refer to current WAS Strategic Plan https://www.was.org/view/was-strategic-plan-2020.aspx

Effective interface with the Secretariat and also lessons leant from other Chapters