The IMOS Office operates with the advice and agreement of an Advisory Board which comprises an Independent Chair, the Director IMOS Office and 8 members.

The Independent Chair is appointed by the University of Tasmania following consultation with the IMOS Operators.The current members of the IMOS Advisory Board are:

Independent Chair:

Dr Ian Poiner - Australian Institute of Marine Science

Board Members:

Prof Lee Astheimer - Deakin University

Dr Nick D'Adamo - IOC, UNESCO, WA

Mr John Gunn - Australian Antarctic Division

Dr Rob Lewis - Science Without Bounds Pty Ltd

Dr Bruce Mapstone - CSIRO

Prof Jason Middleton - University of New South Wales

Dr Peter Rogers - West Australian Marine Science Institute

Dr Neville Smith -  Bureau of Meteorology

Ex officio:

Prof Paddy Nixon - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), University of Tasmania

Mr Tim Moltmann - IMOS Director, University of Tasmania

Mrs Jo Neilson (secretary) - IMOS Project Manager, University of Tasmania

The Chair will:

• Promote a consensus of advice from the Board;
• Review and advise on the performance management arrangements of the Director of the IMOS Office;
• Be an advocate for further development of national and international ocean observing systems; and
• Be appointed for a 3-year term.

The members will be nominated after endorsement by the marine community through the regional and blue-water Nodes. The Board members will be appointed for outstanding abilities to guide the program and will be senior people able to take a broad, national perspective on IMOS development. One member will be an international scientist. The majority of members will have a marine background. They will include persons with previous experience in one or more of the following areas and will collectively cover all of the areas:

• corporate governance;
• financial/business management;
• research and development activities;
• international and national activities to develop ocean observing systems;
• ocean data management.

The final decision on appointment of Board Members will be made by the University of Tasmania and the Chairman according to an assessment of the above criteria.

The Executive Officer of the IMOS Office will be Secretary of the Board.  The Director IMOS Office and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), University of Tasmania (or their nominees) are entitled to attend and be heard at all meetings of the IMOS Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board will:

• Provide strategic guidance to the University of Tasmania and the IMOS Office and monitor the overall strategic direction;
• Receive and approve Annual Reports on IMOS performance and monitor management and performance of the program in accordance with the DEST Funding Agreement;
• Approve the Annual Business Plan (implementation milestones and budget allocations);
• Provide a mechanism for resolution of issues that cannot be worked through the IMOS Office;
• Advise and assist the IMOS Office in the management of business risks;
• Oversee the communication plan and activities of the IMOS Office;
• Provide other advice and input as required.

The Advisory Board will meet a minimum of twice a year and more frequently as required. Half the members’ positions will be up for re-nomination every 2 years.  Incumbent members can be re-nominated.

A major task of the Board and the Director IMOS Office will be development of plans to sustain IMOS into the longer term.