Global Level

OCHA HQ

Provides guidance, training, and technical documentation as well as global oversight of Core CODs and provides an online platform for dissemination of CODs

Global Information Management Working Group (IMWG)

Comprising global level information management focal points of UN agencies, clusters, international organizations and other humanitarian groups is responsible for maintaining guidance on Common Operational Datasets

Regional Level

OCHA Regional Office

OCHA provides global oversight of two core Common Operational Datasets - administrative boundaries and sex- and age-disaggregated population data - and is responsible for making them available through a public platform or service. OCHA will ensure these data are maintained for countries that are risk-prone or have ongoing humanitarian operations.It is often a challenge for the regional office to have core CODs for all countries in their region however it is a critical preparedness activity and at minimum appropriate national authorities should be identified.

Information Management Network 

The IM Network or IMWG at the country and regional level should be comprised of information management focal points from UN agencies, clusters, international organizations, national organizations, governments and local humanitarian actors. The group is responsible for coordinating and harmonizing the information management activities of all humanitarian partners. For CODs they are responsible for working with the relevant governmental entities to define, develop, maintain, and endorse Core and Country-specific CODs.

Resident Coordinator (RC) 

At country-level, the Resident or Humanitarian Coordinator has overall responsibility for ensuring that CODs are maintained according to the COD guidance and the technical support package, including final endorsement of CODs.

Country Level

OCHA County Office

OCHA's responsibility at the country level is to: 1) make the best available Core CODs available with endorsement from partners;  2) work with available partners to identify and make available the "best available datasets" Other CODs; 3) advocate for CODs as standards within the humanitarian community in the country; 5) make the CODs available (when possible) using HDX or another sharing mechanism; 5) ensure these datasets are maintained for countries that are risk-prone or have ongoing humanitarian operations; 6)  provide Secretariat role for the COD cycle process

National authorities

National authorities (government ministries or departments) should be the primary sources of CODs in order to reflect national data standards.  Only in an extraordinary situation (data does not exist, unwillingness or inability to share) should alternatives sources be used.

Information Management Network 

The IM Network or IMWG at the country and regional level should be comprised of information management focal points and technical staff from partners (UN agencies, clusters, international organizations, national organizations, local humanitarian actors, and governmental agency). The group is responsible for coordinating and harmonizing the information management activities of all humanitarian partners. For CODs they are responsible for working with the relevant governmental entities to define, develop, maintain, and endorse Core and Other CODs.

Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG)

The ICCG is a group with representation of all active clusters that cross-references cluster analysis, identifies inter-cluster synergies and coverage gaps, addresses cross-cutting issues, and prepare strategic options and advocacy points for the HCT (IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level) and will provide necessary resources and support towards the management of the CODs and advocate for the use of P-Codes. The ICCG should also be part of the endorsement process (at least made aware) prior to communication to the HC/RC.

Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) or UN Country Team (UNCT)

In a country, HCT or UNCT are strategic and decision-making and oversight forums comprised of UN agencies, international organization. The HCT is established and led by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the UNCT by the Resident Coordinator (RC). The HCT or UNCT are responsible for agreeing on common strategic issues related to humanitarian action and will ensure that member organizations provide necessary resources and support towards the management of CODs and advocate for the use of P-Codes. The HCT/UNCT should be made aware of the Core COD availability and the list of Other CODs that have been endorsed by the IMWG and HC/RC.

Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) 

At country-level, the Resident or Humanitarian Coordinator has overall responsibility for ensuring that CODs are maintained according to the COD guidance and the technical support package, including final endorsement of CODs.