Health Metrics Network Governance
HMN Secretariat
The purpose of the HMN Secretariat is to support HMN partners in fulfilling HMN's goals and objectives. The Secretariat consists of an Executive Secretary and core technical and administrative staff.
Functions
The Secretariat has both technical and administrative functions. In fulfilling its technical functions, the Secretariat:
- Reports to the Board on strategic and operational issues facing HMN, including progress and outcomes, promoting alignment with strategic objectives and values in a transparent manner.
- Liaises with key health and non-health stakeholders (countries, agencies, donors) to generate commitment to HIS from country governments and ensure linkages and coordination between health and statistics constituencies.
- Coordinates the activities of the TAG and HMN taskforces and provides technical inputs in relevant areas.
- Serves as the primary point of coordination between the Board and its advisory bodies including the TAG and the IRC.
- Supports countries in the process of applying for HMN support and ensures technical feedback on country proposals.
- Guides and oversees the process of strategic planning and the development and implementation of HMN's work plan, based on approved priorities.
- Prepares biennial budgets for Board approval.
- Prepares biennial reports on HMN performance to the Board and interested parties.
- Prepares progress reports for discussion to Board meetings.
- Provides oversight to ensure HMN performance is on track to meet its strategic objectives.
- Develops and implements advocacy and communication strategies for HMN.
- Stimulates resource mobilization and coordination, both for country plans and for HMN.
In fulfilling its administrative functions, the Secretariat:
- Manages the review of country proposals, including: preparing documentation for review; preparing documentation for presentation to the Board; drafting and managing correspondence with countries.
- Services the Board, including: working with its Chair to finalize meeting dates, locations and agendas; preparing all correspondence with Board members; drafting and publishing reports of the meetings and teleconferences; working with stakeholders to nominate new members; and providing human resource and financial support to developing country members.
- Unless determined otherwise, services the HMN Consultation Committee, TAG, IRC, HMN subcommittees, taskforces and ad hoc groups, including managing all teleconferences and meetings, and drafting meeting and teleconference agendas and reports.
- Prepares and disseminates consistent documentation on HMN policies and procedures.
- Manages the website and publications.
- Arranges meetings of interested parties.
Operations
The Secretariat is hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva, and, as such, its operations and staff are subject to WHO's Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules, Manual provisions and practices. It is functionally accountable to the Board and administratively accountable to WHO as the hosting agency.