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Partnership

IPC Governance Structure
IPC Governance Structure

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an innovative multi-stakeholder global initiative aimed at enhancing food security and nutrition analysis to inform de The IPC is by definition, the result and the function of a partnership which exists at global, regional and national levels. The IPC is thus founded on a strong governance structure that brings together governments, regional bodies and international agencies – and fosters rigorous processes, ownership and consensus-driven outcomes.

At the global level, the IPC partnership includes 19 organizations and intergovernmental institutions: Action Against Hunger, CARE International, Comité Permanent Inter-États de Lutte Contre la Sécheresse au Sahel (CILSS), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), the Global Food Security Cluster, the Global Nutrition Cluster, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (Oxfam), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Save the Children, the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Using the IPC classification and analytical approach – governments, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders work together to determine the severity and extent of acute and chronic food insecurity and acute malnutrition situations within countries, according to internationally recognised standards. 

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The IPC High Level Executive Committee (HLEC)

IPC High Level Executive Committee Terms of Reference

The IPC High Level Executive Committee (HLEC) is the highest decision-making body in the IPC global governance structure. It comprises up to 17 high-level representatives from IPC global partner organisations engaged in the IPC Global Steering Committee. The HLEC is responsible for positioning the IPC on the global agenda and assisting the IPC initiative to overcome challenges in countries facing (or vulnerable to) major food and nutrition crises and – in particular – sensitive contexts. In specific terms, the HLEC is charged with:

  • Promoting and positioning the IPC on global agendas and providing strategic orientations as needed.
  • Reinforcing institutional commitments to the IPC at all levels.
  • Providing orientations on the need and feasibility of implementing the IPC in priority countries and related political support.
  • Protecting the integrity and neutrality of the IPC.

The IPC Global Steering Committee (GSC)

IPC Global Steering Committee Terms of Reference

The IPC Global Steering Committee (GSC) is composed of senior officers representing the 19 partner organizations. The Steering Committee governs the IPC initiative globally and is responsible for strategically guiding and ensuring oversight and regular functioning of the initiative. The GSC defines the agenda for the HLEC regular (annual) meetings and can request ad-hoc HLEC meetings when the IPC faces critical issues in a country.

Purpose

The IPC Global Steering Committee (GSC) is the governing body of the IPC. Its purpose is to provide high-level strategic advice, endorsement, oversight, and support to the IPC initiative.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Steering Committee aims at ensuring that issues related to the IPC acute scales and the chronic food insecurity scale are addressed by dedicated fora that have relevant expertise, while ensuring coherence, complementarity and consistency across all IPC scales, and the IPC initiative as a whole. To that end, the GSC oversees and takes decisions related to the overall strategy and functioning of the IPC initiative as well as specific issues related to the IPC acute food insecurity (AFI), chronic food insecurity (CFI) and acute malnutrition (AMN) scales. Specifically, the GSC is responsible for the following:

  • Oversight of the implementation of the IPC Global Strategic Programme (GSP) and provision of strategic guidance to the IPC Global Support Unit (GSU), including aspects relating to its structure, composition and recruitment.
  • Budget endorsement and monitoring of financial resources.
  • Endorsement of technical approaches, tools, and guidelines as proposed by the IPC Technical Advisory Group (TAG.
  • Ensuring global coherence and respect of IPC principles, including at national and regional levels.
  • Defining the agenda for the High-Level Executive Committee (HLEC) and activating the HLEC on issues of strategic and political importance.
  • Translating the strategic considerations shared by the HLEC into action.

Organisations represented in the IPC governance structure commit to pursue the common interest of the IPC global initiative, and respect the principles of equitable partnerships and confidentiality

IPC Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is responsible for advising the IPC Steering Committee on technical matters. This group is made up of high-level technical experts from the 19 IPC partner organizations. The TAG serves as a technical consultative body and clearing forum for technical issues that require review and decisions at a high level among IPC Global Steering Committee partner agencies. It ensures a systemic and more consistent framework for undergoing rigorous and transparent technical review processes and steering greater partner agency ownership of the IPC. It also provides a broad review of IPC technical development issues and, where necessary, forms and supervises sub-working groups tasked with specific technical activities or research studies that require more focused and in-depth work.

Purpose

  • The purpose of the IPC Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is to lead the technical development of the IPC. The TAG is responsible for identifying issues and topics that need to be revised, tested or developed and for addressing specific requests from the IPC Global Steering Committee (SC)
  • The TAG develops the terms of reference and timeline for specific tasks, activates and monitors technical working groups (TWG) on an as-needed basis to ensure delivery.
  • It supports the SC in decision-making and final approval of IPC tools and procedures.

Roles and Responsibilities

The TAG structure aims at ensuring that issues related to the IPC acute scales and the chronic food insecurity scale are addressed by dedicated technical groups that have relevant expertise, while ensuring technical coherence, complementarity and consistency across IPC scales. To that end, the TAG leads technical development and proposes adaptations to the protocols common to the three IPC scales. Specifically, the TAG will undertake the following:

  • Technically advise and make recommendations to the SC on IPC technical development, applied research, and compliance with IPC protocols, as needed.
  • Identify needs for additional external technical expertise and recommend the establishment of a working group focusing on a specific issue.
  • Provide oversight and guide the work of the working groups.
  • Review, provide inputs, and validate outputs of the working groups; and clear technical reports, guidance notes and new tools and procedures.
  • Organizations represented in the IPC governance structure commit to pursue the common interest of the IPC global initiative and respect the principles of equitable partnerships and confidentiality.
Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger (AAH) is an international humanitarian organization committed to ending child hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, AAH saves the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with access to safe water, mental health and care practices, food security and sustainable solutions to hunger. Since its initial development, AAH has been actively involved in the IPC initiative at all levels – national, regional and global.

CARE is a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty with a special focus on empowering women and girls. In addition to the community-based development efforts, CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. CARE is a leading participant in the development and global implementation of the IPC through its membership in the IPC Global Partnership with the objective of incorporating and applying the IPC in the global humanitarian and food security policies and including the tool as a requirement in country level emergency planning processes.

CILSS

Comité Permanent Inter-États de Lutte Contre la Sécheresse au Sahel (CILSS) is the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel. CILSS and its partners (UN agencies, NGOs and other institutions) have been engaged in the development and implementation of the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) for the analysis and identification of areas at risk and populations affected by food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa. Like the IPC, the CH produces relevant, consensual, rigorous and transparent analyses of current and projected food and nutrition situations. The CH and the IPC generate analyses findings that are comparable. Over the years, CH and IPC partners have been working closely to harmonize their tools and processes and promote cross-learning and mutual support in various areas of work, including technical development, analysis, quality assurance and communication. The CILSS and its partners in the region operate in partnership with the IPC Global Unit. CILSS is also a member of the IPC Steering Committee.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission is the evidence-based, customer- driven in-house scientific service of the European Commission. The JRC is providing scientific advice and technical know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. It is one of the founding members of the IPC Global Partnership and has been since 2007 a key player in steering and developing the initiative. The JRC contributes to scientific and technical developments of the IPC as well as country support and capacity building. It is also directly supporting the improvement of the Cadre Harmonisé in West Africa and its convergence with the IPC.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is a USAID-funded activity that collaborates with international, regional and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and vulnerability information on emerging and evolving food security issues. FEWS NET has engaged in developing and refining IPC tools since its initial development stages. FEWS NET is an active member of the IPC governance entities at global level and has a strong engagement with partners at country level. FEWS NET is also a member of West Africa & Sahel Cadre Hamonisé Steering and Technical Committees since the beginning of the process and continues providing full support to the Cadre Harmonisé.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations leads international efforts in fighting hunger, improve agricultural productivity, bettering the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. In 2004, FAO – through the Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) Somalia – developed and launched the IPC approach and tools. FAO then promoted the roll-out of the IPC in other countries and particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. It also initiated the process that led to the formation of the IPC Multi-Agency Partnership in 2007. FAO currently continues to play a key role in steering and coordinating the overall development and application of the IPC. FAO has hosted the IPC Global Support Unit at headquarters since its establishment.

The global Food Security Cluster (gFSC) is a component of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) architecture for improved humanitarian response. The gFSC is led jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme and represents a partnership of around 35 institutions from the UN, NGO and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The gFSC is active in supporting emergency coordination at national and sub-national levels, where the IPC represents a crucial step in evidence-based response.

The Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) exists to collectively strengthen the technical and coordination capacities for nutrition in countries, based on the needs of affected populations. This is to enable countries to forecast nutrition trends and prepare for, respond to and recover from shocks during humanitarian emergencies, thereby contributing to global efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition in all its forms.

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an international agricultural research centre founded in 1975 to improve the understanding of national agricultural and food policies to promote the adoption of innovations in agricultural technology. The IPC and IFPRI are embarking on a collaborative partnership to advance food security research and analysis. The partnership recognizes the critical need to address global food security challenges and believes that this collaboration will significantly contribute to the shared goal of eradicating hunger and promoting sustainable development.

The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa. It includes governments from the Horn of Africa, Nile Valley and the African Great Lakes. The origin of IGAD was initially aimed at combating droughts and addressing wider development issues before IGAD’s mandate was widened in 1996 to include peace and security. IGAD’s membership in IPC is motived by the fact that IPC’s first experiment was in Somalia – an IGAD founding Member State. It is now used in more than 17 African countries. IPC is also a crucial input in the wider resilience agenda being driven by IGAD and contributes significantly to the regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG) which is co-chaired by IGAD and FAO. IGAD is playing a crucial role in supporting the use of IPC findings in its region.

Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. The Oxfam International confederation works together with partners in over 90 countries, with a mission to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions. Oxfam works at community, national and global levels to help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable and save lives in disasters. Emergency food security and vulnerable livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and gender are the focus of Oxfam’s humanitarian programs. Oxfam has been involved in the IPC since 2008 in Eastern and Central Africa and has been actively participating in IPC processes at global, country and regional levels since then.

Save the Children is the world's independent children's charity. Save the Children is determined to tackle child hunger and malnutrition in part by reducing the impact of economic and climate shocks in a timely and appropriate manner to lessen the impact on children's lives and well-being. Save the Children has a long and successful history supporting the development and institutionalization of food security and nutrition early warning systems. Since 2008, Save the Children has been an active member of the IPC Global Partnership with the objective of mainstreaming the IPC in programme approaches as well as policy and advocacy activities.

Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA) – or the Central American Integration System as it’s known in English – is the institutional framework of regional integration in Central America. SICA was established on December 13, 1991 to achieve the fundamental objective of realizing the integration of Central America in order to transform the area into a region of peace, democracy and development. Through the Regional Food Security and Nutrition Programme for Central America (PRESANCA II), SICA seeks to contribute to the reduction of food and nutrition insecurity in the most vulnerable populations in Central America, strengthening the integration system as part of a process that aims to build integrated policies on social, environmental and economic issues. SICA is an active members of the IPC Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Group at global level. The IPC has benefited from SICA's regional collaboration, both in terms of the introduction and training on IPC in several SICA countries – Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador – as well as their contributions to the development of the IPC Chronic Food Insecurity Classification scale.

SADC stands for the Southern African Development Community. It is an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1980 and is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. SADC is composed of 16 member states in the southern region of Africa, and its primary goal is to promote regional cooperation and integration for the socio-economic development of its member countries. SADC's objectives include promoting regional peace and security, enhancing economic cooperation and integration, promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction and coordinating various activities and policies to achieve these goals.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential. UNICEF works to protect the right of every child to good nutrition, health, education, and protection from neglect and violence, including in humanitarian crises. UNICEF’s Executive Director chairs the Lead Group of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and UNICEF is the lead agency of the Global Nutrition Cluster – highlighting UNICEF’s commitment to nutrition for every child, in all contexts. UNICEF has been providing technical guidance and advice to the IPC Global Partnership since 2013 and contributing vital technical insights to the development of the IPC acute malnutrition scale. Currently UNICEF is actively participating in all levels of the IPC governance structure, the Steering Committee, the Technical Advisory Group and the Nutrition Technical Working Group. UNICEF works closely with key partners to implement IPC analyses at regional and country levels.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. In the IPC Global Steering Committee, UNDP is a strategic partner enhancing and bolstering global efforts to address food security challenges, enhance resilience and promote sustainable development. UNDP's multifaceted expertise and resources will be valuable to the IPC Global Partnership, facilitating more comprehensive and practical solutions to chronic food insecurity.

World Bank The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. The World Bank aims to leverage its strengths and expertise in the IPC global partnership to address chronic food insecurity more effectively. With its extensive experience in climate and disaster resilient development, this partnership seeks to drive positive change, enhance data-driven decision-making and promote sustainable development on a global scale.

The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide by providing food assistance in more than 120 countries. Since its initial development, WFP has been actively involved in the IPC system development and has joined the multi-agency partnership to closely work with the other partners on the adaptation of the IPC to other countries and contexts. With an active engagement at each level of the IPC Governance structure, WFP plays a critical role in both the technical development of the IPC acute scales and in conducting analyses at country level. WFP is also a major data provider to the IPC analysis processes at country level.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. In the IPC global partnership, WHO will enhance the understanding and response to chronic food security, malnutrition and other health challenges on a global scale. This partnership aims to leverage the expertise of both organizations to drive comprehensive solutions that address the interconnected issues of food security and public health.




IPC Funding Partners

With nearly 20 years of decision support in some of the worst food crises around the world, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stands as a testament to its position as the ‘global standard’ for classifying food insecurity and malnutrition analysis. Central to the success of the IPC's efforts is its funding model, which draws on voluntary contributions from global entities committed to making a difference. The European Union (EU), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, and Global Affairs Canada are among the distinguished partners that play a crucial role in supporting the IPC's mission through their financial contributions. This funding commitment aligns with a four-year IPC Global Strategic Programme cycle, with the latest spanning from 2023 to 2026, and allows the IPC initiative to pursue the normative development of IPC standards leveraging innovations and advanced technologies, offer technical assistance and quality assurance to countries and regions and facilitating the institutionalization of IPC's activities globally. Current financial contributions are essential for strengthening the IPC's fundamental capacities, facilitating rigorous food insecurity and acute malnutrition analysis. This support enhances IPC quality and capabilities in vital priority countries, optimizing early warning functions and backing practitioner training, certification and information systems. These contributions are more than just monetary. The funding partners are also part of an important strategic dialog within the IPC initiative; they embody a shared commitment to fight food crises and achieve a more food-secure world.

EU

USAID

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