Professor Jonathan Watson is Executive Director of the Network. His role focuses on strategic development of the Network, high level (co-) facilitation of events hosted by partners, advising on and contributing to thematic knowledge development and policy recommendations, advising ONE (the Lead Partner) and partners on added value developments; and oversight of the daily management function carried out by the Network Coordinator supported by the Communications Assistant. Jonathan is a Special Professor of Health & Public Policy (Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham) and Managing Director of Interface Ltd who were sub-contracted to manage and coordinate the operation. He has 23 years experience in health and public policy, usually at the interface of policy, research & practice at national and international levels.
The Management and Co-ordination function includes the following activities in 5 components:
Component 1
Develop, implement, review and update network Work plans and Information plans Manage routine monitoring of the Network's activities for internal evaluation and performance management Produce Network Protocols and guidelines ensuring efficient operation (Quality Assurance) Produce the monthly and six-monthly activity reports for the Lead Partner Organize and deliver SG meetings Organize and deliver Management meetings Organize Liaison visits to partners's region Other activities |
Component 2-4
Organizing and delivering of interregional events (workshops & policy forums) for delivering the thematic elements of HCN: (i) contributing to the conference calls, (ii) collection of abstracts & presentations, (iii) requesting the RAPs, (iv) encouraging regional policy development, (v) bi-lateral activities, (vi) partneship working Producing thematic reports and policy agendas |
Component 5
Intarnal communications via regular email, phone and personal contacts with partners Publicity activities for promoting the operation's activities, results and achievements (including media relationships) Management & editing of HCN website Dissemination activities Ensuring preparation, organization and smooth handling of Network conferences Assisting the independent external evaluation to ensure it evaluates progress towards achievements of the operation's goals, on the basis of selected indicators Cross-thematic activities Future developments |
ONE (the Lead Partner – The North East Regional Development Agency, UK) has sub-contracted the day-to-day management and coordination of HCN to Interface (Policy Planning) Ltd following an OJEC competitive tendering process. Interface established a coordination office in Budapest in Hungary at the Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University. The coordination team comprises 1 fulltime Network Coordinator and 1 part time Information Office. These are supported by a part-time Executive Director who has overall responsibility for knowledge management across the network and for ensuring quality in the delivery of the coordination function. The coordination function also includes responsibility for internal evaluation of HCN.
ONE retains the financial management of the network. Representatives from ONE and the Coordination Office meet regularly as a management team (face to face and by phone). HCN also has a Steering Group that is meeting 7 times during the operation. The Steering Group comprises one representative from each of the 13 partners and the Executive Director of the Network. The Network Coordinator provides support for the Steering Group regarding the organisation and administration of the SG meetings.