organisational and operational structure

CARISA Steering Committee
The main functions of the CARISA Steering Committee are set out in the Memorandum of Agreement between the MRC and CANSA. These are:

• Financial oversight of CARISA until the establishment of an independent Board;
• Recommend the appointment of the director and business manager;
• Determine the Terms of Reference of the various Committees;
• The Steering Committee shall establish a Scientific Committee that will call for, evaluate and recommend research projects to the Board for funding;
• Facilitate the achievement of the objectives and / or mandate of CARISA;
• Submit bi-annual reports to CANSA and the MRC; and
• Report to the CEO of CANSA and the President of the MRC;
• Recommend the future structure of CARISA;
• Meet at least 2 times a year;
• Oversee the implementation of the CARISA strategic plan;
• Approve the annual budget plans in accordance to the strategy;
• Develop policies and approve systems for the implementation management of CARISA functions;
• Manage the intellectual property arising from activities of CARISA;
• The Steering Committee will have executive authority.

CARISA Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee will comprise representatives from the full rage of the cancer research community. Nominations for membership of the Scientific Committee will be advertised and the CARISA Steering Committee will appoint the Scientific Committee members from a list of seconded nominations. The term of office will be 3 years with the option to be appointed for an additional term of 3 years. Provision would also be made to overlap of terms of office to ensure smooth transition. Members will be selected to represent the various themes that are reflective of cancer research on an equitable basis. They will be the means by which researchers and other stakeholders have input into setting priorities and the direction for the CARISA. The Scientific Committee will be:

• Active in fostering networking, partnerships, and regional interests, while also seeking methods for the cross pollination of ideas with other institutes / organisations;
• Be responsible for reviewing and adjudicating on the research projects that are submitted to CARISA; and
• Adjudicate on projects undertaken or supported by CARISA.

All proposals funded through the CARISA will be peer reviewed by experts in the field to foster research excellence and national relevance.

Community and Public Health Liaison Committee
CARISA aims to form a Community and Public Health Liaison Committee that will provide community input into establishing strategic priorities for research, act as a sound board on research issues that impact directly on the public, and assist in communicating the relevance o the programme’s research to the general public. Members will be selected from a list of seconded nominations to serve on the Community and Public Health Liaisons Committee. Linking health policy and delivery of service into the broader research network and peer review process would provide mutual benefits to both parties. It is anticipated that the Department of National Health, Provincial and local health authorities will interact on a continuous basis with CARISA to ensure a close synergistic relationship.

The committee will be made up of a minimum of 5 but not more that ten persons from relevant community organisations or important sectors of society. Additional members of the community organisations or important sectors of society. Additional members of the community could be asked to participate on the committee on an ad hoc basis as new problems emerge and a certain perspective is required. A representative from the Community and Public Health Liasons Committee will also serve on the Research Committee. Representative from key communities would be appointed for a 3-year term.

Medical Research Council of South Africa

Cancer Association of South Africa