3.3.2 Cluster Lead Agencies at Country Level – Roles and Responsibilities

As both IASC Principals and standing HCT members at country level, FAO and WFP are committed to the IASC cluster approach and to fulfilling country-level CLA responsibilities. These include ensuring an adequate response and a high standard of accountability and partnership. 

Main Roles and Responsibilities: After the formal activation of an FSC, FAOand WFP as CLAs, have specific accountabilities for the cluster performance to the HC, the national authorities and affected population at country level, and to the Emergency Relief Coordinator at global level (see the CLAs generic Terms of Reference, IASC, 2013). 

FAO and WFP are ultimately accountable to the HC (or RC) for carrying out their CLA responsibilities. This includes:

• Serving as a first point of call for the government and the HC for issues related to the sector.
• Acting as Provider of Last Resort where necessary, and depending on access, security and availability of funding. 
  • This means that, if no other partners nor the national authorities are in a position to, and if security conditions allow, the CLAs must be ready to fill any critical gaps in assistance (or advocate for resources or access to do so).
• Ensuring the adequate coordination of the food security interventions through the FSC.
  • This means a mechanism equipped to fulfil the six core cluster functions (see 3.4.1).
  • The CLAs should provide necessary technical advice and support to the FSC coordination team, its members and relevant national authorities as needed. 
  • FAO and WFP should also be active cluster members (i.e. ensure participation from relevant programme staff).
• Funding and appointing a Cluster Coordinator and any other support staff (covering all personnel and operational costs), as required for effective functioning of the cluster to facilitate the work of the FSC and ensure coordination with other clusters. 
• The CLAs are jointly responsible for determining the main functions, management and staffing structure of FSC, including the co-leadership at national and subnational level (for a large-scale operation, the CLAs may designate sub-national Cluster Coordinators).
• Ensuring predictable leadership by coordinating the response in collaboration with cluster partners and in accordance with agreed standards and guidelines. 
• Advocating and mobilising resources for the FSC and for FSC partners.

CLAs can liaise with the global cluster coordinators and gFSC for any operational and technical support to ensure a smooth functioning of the FSC at country level.