The Division for Special Activities oversees 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, and facilitates relationships with key support partners. It includes the Client Support and Special Situations Section, Operational Planning Service, Resource Planning and Analysis Section, Support Partnerships Service, and the Triangular Partnership Programme.
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.
Contact us: DSA-Partnerships@un.org
Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP)
The Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP) is the Department of Operational Support's flagship initiative that builds the operational capabilities of UN and African Union (AU) peace operations personnel through engineering, medical, C4ISR, C-IED and telemedicine.
By bringing together troop- and police-contributing countries, supporting Member States, and the UN Secretariat, TPP delivers coordinated, practical training and operational support strengthening the effectiveness and safety of UN and AU peace operations.
Key Achievements to date include:
- 35,000+ Military & police personnel trained in tech & C4ISR
TPPP
1,500+ Engineers trained across 8 host countries
- 7+Field missions using telemedicine, TPP's operational support initiative
- 672 Medical trainees trained and 118 medical trainers certified
- 370 Female technical officers trained across 79 countries trained with UNCAP
- 825 Personnel trained in C-IED related capabilities with UNMAS
- Over 50 Member States and regional organization partners engaged
Contact us: dos-tpp@un.org