Managing People in Emergencies → Managing humanitarian personnel

Managing humanitarian personnel

Staff and volunteers are an essential resource in responding to emergencies. How personnel are managed, and investing in their development, impacts on their effectiveness.

 

People In Aid Code of Good Practice

is an internationally recognised tool to help agencies enhance the quality of their human resource management. This can contribute to improved programme effectiveness and impact.  Give consideration to how these principles can be practically applied at organisational and field level.
 

Key principles:

1.  Human Resources Strategy

• How can you ensure the right staff are recruited and deployed in the right time to meet programme objectives?
• Do you have the resources to employ, manage, support and train them?

2.  Staff Policies and Practices

• Are your staff policies and practices in writing and understood by all?
• Do staff know what they are entitled to?
• Are they applied consistently to all staff and take into account relevant legal provisions and cultural norms?
• Are they fair, effective and transparent?

3.   Managing People

• Do all staff have clear work objectives and performance standards?
• Are managers trained and supported to manage and motivate staff well? Are reporting lines clear?

4.   Consultation and Communication

• Are all staff informed and consulted on matters which affect their employment?
• Do managers and staff understand how to communicate and participate?

5.   Recruitment and Selection

• Do your policies and practices aim to attract and select the widest pool of suitably qualified candidates?
• Are your processes clear, fair and consistent?

6.   Learning, Training and Development

• Are all staff given induction, briefing and coaching?
• Do staff know what training and development they can expect and are opportunities offered fairly?

7.   Health, Safety and Security

• The security, good health and safety of your staff are a prime responsibility of your organisation.
• Do you have clear written policies?
• Do they include assessment of security, travel and health risks and plans?
• Are managers and staff clear and trained in their responsibilities?

Adapted from the People In Aid Code of Good Practice - for full details and implementation guidelines follow the links below