Fund Dates:

Start date: 1 November 2021

End date: 31 December 2031

• Terms of Reference 

Overview

The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is a new financing mechanism that aims to support and accelerate the sustained collection and international exchange of the most essential surface based weather and climate observations in compliance with the internationally agreed GBON. The implementation of GBON in SOFF-supported countries will allow for a major strengthening in the provision of high-quality weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate services at global, regional, national and local levels. The improvement in the quality of weather and climate information services will bring about a substantial enhancement of action for resilient development and climate adaptation, resulting in lives and livelihoods saved and property protected.

SOFF is structured as a “UN coalition fund”. WMO, UNDP and UNEP are the cocreators of the fund. The nature of SOFF as a joint UN initiative increases its effectiveness, reach and impact.

The co-creators of the fund play well-defined complementary roles. WMO serves as the SOFF technical authority and Steering Committee co-chair and co- decision maker, jointly with the funding partners. It also administratively hosts the SOFF Secretariat. UNDP and UNEP are co-chairs of the multi-stakeholder Advisory Board, participate in the Steering Committee, and serve as SOFF Implementing Entities.

SOFF is established as a UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN MPTF) administered by the UN MTPF Office. Based on a careful assessment of institutional alternatives, SOFF is set up as a fund managed by the UN MPTF Office, which administers pooled financing instruments for the UN currently totaling more than USD 15 billion in 139 countries. The UN MPTF offers the required flexibility, simplicity and speed for the operation and financial administration of the Facility. SOFF benefits from existing, precleared Standard Legal Agreements, including with many potential funders.

The SOFF governance structure consists of a Steering Committee as the decision making body, a multi-partner Advisory Board to advise the Steering Committee, a SOFF Secretariat to manage SOFF operations, the UN MPTF Office as Trustee, and Implementing Entities, consisting of members of the Alliance for Hydromet Development (selected Multilateral Development Banks and UN organizations).

SOFF supports and leverages the investments of the members of the Alliance for Hydromet Development and other partners throughout the meteorological value chain. It does so through (i) standardized peer-to-peer country assessments and advisory services; (ii) partnership with Implementing Entities that embed SOFF investments into their larger projects and blend their resources with SOFF resources; and (iii) collaboration and coordination in the SOFF multi-stakeholder governance.SOFF funding also contributes to increasing the effectiveness of downstream hydromet and climate investments by Implementing Entities and other partners.