The Division for Special Activities will oversee a range of specialized and crosscutting operational capacities, with a focus on direct support for operating entities faced with special circumstances and other operational planning priorities, as well as facilitate relationships with key support partners. It will include the Client Support and Special Situations Section, Operational Planning Service, Resource Planning and Analysis Section, and the Support Partnerships Service.
Client Support in Special Situations
The Client Support in Special Situations team provides dedicated advisory services and surge capacity at a short notice to UN Secretariat entities throughout all phases of thier lifecycles. Situations that may demand special support measures from our experts include: changes to mandates (surge or draw-down), start-up of new entities, and the closure of existing entities. Specific activities include:
- Advice and support to entities during surge activities, e.g. start-up / expansion, transition, downsizing / liquidation.
- Other surge capacity management.
- Focal point for emergency situations.
Resource Planning and Analysis
The Resource Planning and Analysis Section will support activities including:
- Analysis and review of key operational support resourcing drivers and practices.
- Development of operational resourcing standards and advice on operational solutions.
- Coordination of input to strategic and civilian staffing reviews.
Operational Planning
The Operational Planning Service leads support to entities during periods of significant activities, including coordination with DOS counterparts and engagement with operational counterparts at UNHQ in providing planning guidance to operating entities.
The service provides support to entities on integrated human resources planning processes in the context of establishing new entities and expanding and/or downsizing existing entities. It also leverages the capacities of the Resource Planning and Analysis Section for support on financial planning during such situations. The integration of these related functions allows for a more holistic approach to operational support planning by DOS. To address planning requirements in peace operations contexts, this capacity will complement and work closely with the planning capacity within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General of Peace Operations. The Operational Planning Service also works very closely with the Client Support and Special Situations Section during periods of major activity, such as mission start-up, transition and liquidation.
Support Partnerships
Support Partnerships Service (SPS) is a dedicated capacity to coordinate and maintain institutional and operational support partnerships with entities outside of the UN Secretariat, including regional and sub-regional organizations.
- Advisory and Guidance Development: Provides leadership around the development and maintenance of Support Partnerships Guidelines.
- Institutional partnerships: Maintains mutually beneficial institutional and operational support partnerships with key partners, including regional and sub-regional organizations.
- Strategic HQ backstopping: Coordinates DOS’s support, oversight and strategic advice to the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
- System-wide policy coordination: Represents the Department at intergovernmental committees, high-level meetings, system-wide policy coordination & working groups on Partnerships.
- Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP): Administers the Department’s flagship programme to enhance capacities in peacekeeping missions and AU peace support operations through specialized training and operational support.
Contact us: DSA-Partnerships@un.org