Overview
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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
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2017/8. It is up to the Head of an IMU to make a case to a HoO to provide adequate capacity.
# of IMOs |
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Small / Sub-office
 | Medium office
| Large office
| |
Guidance | 1 (P3) | 2 (P3 NOA) | 3 (P4, P3, NOA) |
Range (actual) | 1-3 | 4 |
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-6 |
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7-9 |
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Average (actual)
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2
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4
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5
In 2016, the size of IM teams in large country offices varied from as few as two IMOs (Syria) to as many as nine (Palestine). Medium country offices varied from two (Myanmar) to six (Ethiopia). Small offices varied from one (Cote d'Ivoire) to four (Haiti). Regional Offices saw similarly wide variations, from two IMOs in ROCCA and ROP to 12 in ROWCA. This variation implies that standards are not applied, and that the size of an IM team depends largely on the priorities of the Head of Office and the support they receive from HQ. It is up to the Head of an IMU to make a case to a HOO to provide adequate capacity.
Process
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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
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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
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Example of .xls used for tracking staff in large sudden onset - Tracking Philippines Typhoon Yolanda 2013.xlsx
Template of graphic used for large staff tracking in sudden onset - Staffing levels in Philippines 2014.doc
Guidance
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