Surge Capacity
What is surge?
In OCHA, "surge" means the swift deployment of experienced coordination experts and other specialized humanitarian personnel.
Surge capacity is used when there are unforeseen emergencies and disasters, when an existing crisis deteriorates, or when a force majeure affects an office.
OCHA mobilizes surge staff from regional offices, or from three mechanisms managed by the Surge Capacity Section (SCS) in the Emergency Services Branch in OCHA Geneva. These mechanisms are the Emergency Response Roster, the Associates Surge Pool and the Stand-By Partnership Programme.
In 2012, SCS will introduce a new surge mechanism, comprised of three Roaming Emergency Surge Officers (RESOs), who will be on deployment 80% of the time.
Coordinating surge
SCS handles the overall management and coordination of surge. This involves working closely with other sections in Headquarters during an OCHA corporate emergency, supporting the set-up of new country offices where OCHA does not have a presence, and supporting the closure of country offices when OCHA is no longer needed. Surge capacity also means being involved in the overall staff planning of OCHA country offices worldwide, working closely with human resources colleagues to avoid staffing gaps and ensuring continuity.
Surge in 2012
In 2012, OCHA will aim to further improve existing surge services by:
- Strengthening surge for specific niche areas such as senior surge, and specific language/technical skills
- Intensifying efforts to reduce “turn-over” and improving the transition from surge to regular staffing
- Improving surge quality and impact through a variety of measures prior to, during and after assignments
- Promoting an enabling environment in support of surge
