(e) provision of advice to the SADC Council and Summit on policy issues concerning STI; and (f) meeting at least once a year to review progress in the implementation of this Protocol. 4. The SADC Committee of Senior OffiCials shall comprise Permanent Secretaries of Ministries responsible for STI or officials of the same level or their representatives. 5. The Committee of Senior Officials shall perform the following functions: (a) translate policy recommendations of SAMCOST into specific projects and programmes at national and regional levels; (b) oversee the implementation of national and regional STI programmes; (c) monitor STI policy development within their respective Member States and harmonization within SADC; (d) consider and approve terms of reference for technical committees, consultants and other service providers dealing with or engaged in STI projects or programmes; (e) identify and recommend regional programmes consistent with the SADC Common Agenda and other initiatives; (f) appraise SAMCOST on the progress in the implementation of this Protocol; and (g) advise on the establishment of technical sub-committees as it deems necessary. 6. The SADC Secretariat through the STI Unit shall be located within the SADC Secretariat and shall perform its functions as prescribed by the Council. 7. The technical sub-committees shall be established on an ad hoc basis, to carry out technical work under the guidance of the Committee of Ministers responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation. 8