Country-based Pooled Funds: oPt Humanitarian Fund Operational Manual, March 2023

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose and scope of the Guidelines

The purpose of the Operational Manual for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) Country-based Pooled Fund (CBPF) is to describe the governance arrangements, allocation modalities and priorities, and accountability mechanisms of the Fund, as well as to detail the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved.

Under the direction of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), the oPt Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF) aims to support the timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to the most critical humanitarian needs as defined by the Strategic Response Plan. In order to meet this goal, this Manual is issued by the HC and endorsed by the Advisory Board to:
i. provide clarification and instructions for all stakeholders involved in the management of the HF on effective management and governance practices;
ii. describe the steps and requirements of the allocation processes with the aim of enhancing timely and strategic allocation decisions; and
iii. provide an overview of the general direction and programmatic focus of the oPt HF.

The goal of this Manual is to guide implementing partners and facilitate the role of OCHA, members of the Review Committees, and sectoral experts.

This Manual should be read in conjunction with the global Operational Handbook for CBPFs. The present document defines the country-specific regulations that govern the oPt HF. It is designed within the framework provided by the Operational Handbook for CBPFs, which describes the global set of rules that apply to all CBPFs worldwide, and adapt specific aspects of the global regulations to the context of humanitarian response.

Adherence to the guidance provided in the two documents is mandatory so as to ensure standard and transparent processes.