IM Team Size

Owned by Janet
Last updated: Oct 18, 2024 by FIS
4 min read

Overview

The OCHA Policy Instruction on Response includes several pre-approved cost plans and organigrams for different sized offices. These should be seen as the minimum size and composition of an IM unit. In practice, IM units vary enormously. The table below compares the number of IMOs in pre-approved cost plans with actual IM staffing in 2017/8.   It is up to the Head of an IMU to make a case to a HoO to provide adequate capacity.

# of IMOs

          Small / Sub-office

            

Medium office

                      

                         

Large office

         

             

Guidance

1 (P3)

2 (P3 NOA)

3 (P4, P3, NOA)

Range (actual)

1-3

4-6

7-9

Many offices will supplement the international and national IMOs in an office cost plan with local consultants and by using other organizations such as iMMAP and REACH to enhance the IM capacity.  For example, in 2017 for Yemen there were six IMOs in the OCHA cost plan plus 12 staff from iMMAP and 2 from REACH, therefore overall IM capacity was actually 20.  iMMAP also provide IM support to the clusters bringing the number of IMOs working on the humanitarian response to over 40!

Process

  • Discuss IM expectations with HoO and translate into an IM strategy and work plan based on office size

    • Determine short term vs long term needs (often more staff is needed to scale up a response and fewer to maintain)

  • Identify potential IM capacity in the country (strong capacity would allow for more national staff)

  • Identify potential partners (iMMAP, REACH) willingness to support.

  • Develop short-term IM staff plan

  • Develop longer term IM staff plan - keep in mind that recruitment of a fixed term international staff will take at least 6 months)

Outputs/Resources

Guidance