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Surge Mechanisms (RO, HQ Core Team, COSP, ASP, SBP)

Surge Mechanisms (RO, HQ Core Team, COSP, ASP, SBP)

Owned by Janet
Last updated: 18 Oct 2024 by FIS

Overview

Surge mechanisms typically available to an OCHA field IM unit include 1) regional offices, 2) HQ Core Team and COSP, 3) associate surge pool, and 4) stand-by partners.  Each mechanism is used in different phases of an emergency, sometimes they can be overlapping and each has a different duration.

Process

  1. Identification of staff need and approximate duration, normally this is initially discussed informally with the field staff and OAD. 

    1. FIS can help identify the profile of IMO needed and discuss the most appropriate surge option.

    2. The regional office is the first line of support and the request usually goes straight from Country Office to Regional Office, typically from Head of Office to Head of Office.  

  2. If HQ Core Team, COSP, SBP or ASP is required then a formal request is needed. (FIS can help her as well)

  3. Keep in mind the duration of temporary staff and work with FIS and OAD to ensure that longer-term needs are being addressed.

Regional Office (RO)

OCHA Regional Offices are the first line of support for OCHA field offices.  RO staff can deploy quickly for small, medium and large-scale emergencies.

HQ Core Team and Country Office Surge Pool (COSP)

For OCHA staff only, these are internal mechanisms for temporary deployments of OCHA staff during an initial emergency phase, normally for 6 to 12 weeks depending on the context. 

A message is sent out to OCHA staff to express interest when the pools are updated.

Associate Surge Pool (ASP)

A pool of external pre-cleared humanitarian experts available to deploy for mid-term surge assignments. The pool includes former OCHA staff as well as experienced humanitarian professionals new to OCHA. ASP members deploy on an expedited Temporary Appointment as OCHA staff members normally for 3-6 months.

The rosters are advertised on https://careers.un.org/  when they are about to be renewed.

Stand-By Partnership Programme (SBPP)

A central element of OCHA’s sustained efforts to strengthen its response capacity to new and escalating humanitarian emergencies. In a context of ever-increasing demands on limited funds, external Stand-By Partner organizations provide ‘gratis’ humanitarian experts for temporary support to field offices.  SBPPs normally deploy for 3 and up to 6 months.  This mechanism is not intended to be used long-term.

These rosters are managed by other organizations (see SBPP Guide).

When an office would like to request a SBP, it will need to submit a SBPP request form.

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