On several occasions, the Nodes Committee has emphasised that there are several issues and challenges faced by Node managers in setting up and operating their nodes. In addition, they have stated that one of the major obstacles is motivating and coordinating data providers. The NODES Committee has taken steps to form a mentoring scheme among the GBIF Nodes. The Node Managers who are willing to mentor others have been listed, and the call has gone out for those Nodes that need assistance to apply for mentor(s).

However, Node Managers and the Nodes Committee have repeatedly asked for more help from the Secretariat to overcome these hurdles, and at the recent Science Planning Meeting in Oaxaca NODES explicitly requested that GBIF appoint an individual in the Secretariat whose tasks and responsibilities would focus on providing much needed support to the Nodes.

At the present time, Nodes coordination in the Secretariat is mainly the responsibility of the DADI programme officer, with the Deputy Director for Informatics also acting as a liaison. However, as the ICT aspects of GBIF remain under intensive development, these individuals have had to devote the bulk of their time to these activities, and Nodes coordination has not been as effective as desired or expected.

To help to help address the Nodes' needs, the Governing Board has approved that a position of Nodes Liaison Officer be established in the GBIF Secretariat. The individual will be recruited by the Secretariat, and wil reside in Copenhagen.

The Nodes Liaison Officer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Provide follow-up services when a new GBIF Participant joins, helping the Participant to take the right steps in setting up a node and establishing a data provider network.
2. Set up a regular reporting scheme for the Nodes and closely monitor the activities of the Nodes.
3. Advise the Nodes in overcoming obstacles and challenges in such areas as overall planning and organisation, promoting the involvement of the scientific community, attaining greater financial support from governmental and other funding agencies, achieving greater visibility and recognition, and providing advice on technical matters and IPR considerations. As appropriate, make a schedule of country visits based on identified needs.
4. Advise on best practices for Nodes and aid in the development of a best practices handbook and related web site for Participant Nodes.
5. Contribute to and participate in the GBIF training programme.
6. Be the main contact point in the Secretariat for the Nodes Committee and provide overall support to the NODES Chair and Vice Chairs.
7. Together with the Nodes Committee, propose effective mechanisms to address and implement the GBIF Work Programme in a timely manner and in a cost-effective way.

The Nodes Liaison Officer will ideally have the following qualifications:
1. Experience in coordinating scientific projects and promoting collaborative endeavours.
2. Management and negotiation skills.
3. Good knowledge of information technology.
4. Good language and communication skills. Fluency in language(s) other than English would be an asset.
5. Willingness to travel.

The Secretariat will undertake the recruitment, via an open search with an emphasis on finding an individual from a current GBIF Participant, and provide work space, computers, and communications equipment. The intent is to have the successful applicant move to Copenhagen early in 2005, and serve through the remaining duration of the current Memorandum of Understanding (through December 2006).