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UNHCR operations plan in emergencies

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Key points
  • The UNHCR office should appoint a broadly composed multi-functional planning team of UNHCR staff at the start of an emergency, to draft UNHCR's initial Plan and amend it as the situation evolves.
  • Keep the results chain simple. Focus on key results the operation expects to achieve. Remember that each indicator must have a monitoring plan and a data collection mechanism. Prefer strong data and few indicators (quality rather than quantity).
  • Initially, operations are advised to draft the Plan ‘off-line', before recording and proceeding to detailed budgeting.
  • Internal UNHCR planning requirements should not drive the external planning process, which needs to take a broader, inclusive approach. Do not underestimate the importance of inter-agency planning.
  • Pay attention to the timelines of internal and external processes that are relevant to the management of an emergency operation (such as inter-agency planning documents, internal requests for additional resources, UNHCR and inter-agency appeals). Try to achieve logical sequencing.
  • The Plan should be a living document that is updated after major developments or decisions.
  • Whenever an Operating level or Operation Plan increases, or project partnership agreements are signed or revised, update the indicator targets (for both impact and performance). Periodically review the results chain and associated budgets to ensure they remain consistent: this will help you track and report achievements. All elements of the results chain, and narratives with respect to objectives, should be completed and recorded in Focus by the end of the calendar year.
  • Operations are advised to develop a basic results chain to inform the logframes of project partnership agreements and their budgets. If it becomes necessary to create new objectives, outputs, or indicators, they should be recorded in Focus because these are essential elements of the Plan.
  • Review and update the Budget Control Plan (BCP) form for your operation, so that staff have access to Plan entry and submission(s).

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