Interagency Working Group

Terms of Reference

The Interagency Working Group (IAWG) provides a forum for ESMF stakeholder agencies to interact on a regular basis regarding the vision, goals, and progress of the ESMF effort as they relate to each agency's mission and plans. Agency representatives work with the ESMF Executive Board to articulate ESMF goals and formulate metrics that reflect programmatic requirements. Members of the IAWG annually assess the success of the ESMF in satisfying these requirements with the assistance of an ad hoc Review Committee. Insofar as it is possible, members of the IAWG coordinate funding and funding opportunities so that the Working Project has adequate and appropriate resources to meet requirements. The IAWG receives reports from the Executive Board on the status of ESMF development, adoption, and collaborations, and offers guidance as warranted. Members of the IAWG coordinate the messages carried back to higher level agency management regarding ESMF progress and value.

Members and Meetings

The IAWG consists of program executives from federal agencies that have a stake in the progress of ESMF. The Working Group may invite other members to join, and will designate a Chairperson to coordinate the timing and location of meetings, reviews, and meeting agendas. The IAWG meets twice a year, or as directed by the Chairperson.

Charge and Reporting

• Communicate agency objectives and constraints to the Executive Board and confer with the Board to ensure that they are reflected in ESMF goals and vision.
• Review and concur on ESMF programmatic metrics proposed by the Executive Board, and changes to those metrics as may be necessary from time to time.
• Assess progress against programmatic metrics on an annual basis, with the assistance of an ad hoc Review Committee, and communicate results and recommendations to the Executive Board.
• Commission the Review Committee.
• Coordinate reporting of ESMF reviews, accomplishments, status and plans, and agency impacts back to the member agencies.
• Report on agency perspectives and issues with respect to ESMF and discuss them with other members of the IAWG.
• Advise the Executive Board on funding issues and opportunities that may be relevant to continued progress, and, insofar as it is possible, work to coordinate funding and funding opportunities so that the Working Project has adequate and appropriate resources to meet requirements.
• Nominate new members of the IAWG, and nominate agency representatives to serve on the ESMF Executive Board.