Background

1. The time available to organize and deploy peacekeeping operations, along with the complexity of missions has made it increasingly difficult to implement Security Council peacekeeping mandates in a timely manner.

2. As a result, Member States have endorsed the need for a system of "Standby Arrangements" with the capability of deploying on short notice to facilitate the planning for, and to establish, peacekeeping operations mandated by the Security Council.

3. The General Assembly has endorsed a requirement to be able to establish a traditional peacekeeping mission within 30 days and a complex mission within 90 days of a Security Council Mandate.

Purpose and Scope

4.  This document describes the operation of United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS) for military capabilities.  Standby arrangements for civilian police are the responsibility of the Civilian Police Unit.  Arrangements for civilian personnel are the responsibility of the Field Administration and Logistics Division (FALD) of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).  These are described separately.

System Outline

5. UNSAS is based upon conditional commitments by Members States to contribute specified resources within agreed response times for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

6. The system consists of arrangements negotiated between the United Nations and individual Member States. The resources agreed upon remain on "standby" in their home country, where necessary preparation, including training, is conducted to fulfil specified tasks or functions in accordance with United Nations guidelines. When necessary, the resources are requested by the Secretary-General, and, if approved by the Member States, are rapidly deployed.

7. The military resources required are:

a. Military units/sub-units/elements (personnel and equipment organized and trained to fulfil a task or mission).
b. Individual military personnel, to fill military staff officer, observer or liaison officer positions.  This includes a   Mission HQ On-Call List to fill staff posts in the military component of mission headquarters rapidly when a mission is established.  Detail regarding the positions required for the On Call List is at Annex A.
c. Material and equipment, including the required support organisation.
d. Services.

a. Assist in normalizing the process of mounting future operations;
b. Assist planners in defining the actual organizational requirements and costs of missions;
c. Guide Member States in structuring their contributions.

Response Time

10. Response Time is defined as the time that elapses between the moment a formal request from the Secretariat is forwarded to the Permanent Mission of the Member State concerned, and the time when the resources are ready to be picked up for deployment at specified points of embarkation. To meet these target times (30 and 90 days mentioned above) for mission establishment, the following response times are required from Member States contributing to UNSAS for mission establishment (the primary function of UNSAS):

a. Seven days for key staff planners for the mission headquarters (these are Level One of the Mission HQ On Call List);
b. Seven days for elements involved in providing strategic sea-lift support (in this case Response Time is defined as the time that elapses between the moment a formal request from the Secretariat is forwarded to the Permanent Mission of the Member State concerned, and the time when the ship(s) are ready to set sail to embark elements of the mission);
c. Fourteen days for other staff officers involved in establishment of the mission headquarters; (these are Level Two of the Mission HQ On Call List);
d. Twenty-one days for elements involved in providing air strategic lift support and in the reception phase of the mission establishment, e.g. movement control and terminal elements;
e. Twenty eight days for other units/sub-units/elements/individuals, including other staff for the Mission HQ.

12.   Member States can contribute to UNSAS at longer response times.  These contributions will mainly be used for replacement of current mission contributors, should appropriate warning be given by a Member State that it wishes to withdraw from an established mission.

Employment Period

13. Once deployed the period of employment of military personnel is six months for formed units and staff officers and one year for individual observers and liaison officers.  Those called out from the Mission HQ On call List and units and individuals deployed to enable movements will normally be employed for shorter periods until more permanent staff can fill these functions. An indicative timeframe for employment of staff called out from the Mission HQ On Call List is between 90 and 180 days.

Training

14. The primary responsibility for the training of personnel in the performance of peacekeeping duties remains with Member States.  To facilitate standardization, training guidelines for specific United Nations tasks and objectives are published by the Secretariat.

15. Due to the nature of the task, and the short timeframes involved, the United Nations conducts training in UN staff procedures for individuals on the Mission HQ On Call List.  Most of this training will be by correspondence.  Those on Level One of the Mission HQ On Call List will receive additional training.

16. Training support can also be provided as part of the UN Standby Arrangement System Assistance Team (UNSAAT) tasking.  Further information is provided on this concept below.

Command and Control

17. Member States retain responsibility of standby resources until they physically leave the home country. During their period of assignment to the United Nations peacekeeping operation, personnel made available by Member States remain in their national service but under Operational Command of the United Nations.

18. In the case of contributions of equipment or services, the terms and conditions stated in each pre-arrangement will delineate responsibilities.

Finance

19. The Member States assume all costs as long as resources remain on standby in their country, with the exception of: correspondence training for all on the Mission HQ On Call List; for attendance courses for those on Levels One of the Mission HQ On Call List; and for UNSAAT support (see below).

20. The United Nations pays for the deployed elements that meet the requirements as soon as they embark for the mission area or if they are required for briefings at UN HQ prior to deployment . Reimbursement is carried out according to current United Nations rules and regulations.

Logistics

21. Logistic support for peacekeeping operations is normally the responsibility of the United Nations. However, standby forces being rapidly deployed must be self sufficient until the United Nations support system is established.  All formed contingents are to bring the following levels of stock holdings to the mission area:

a. Compo rations :           90 days supply.
b. Field defence stores :   as stated in the MOU.
c. Ammunition :               270 days supply, at operational and training rates of consumption.
d. Canteen :                    suggested 60 days supply.
e. Medical supplies:         as stated in the MOU.
f. Repair parts:                60 days supply.

Levels of Commitment and Agreements

22. The are four Levels of Commitment by Member States to UNSAS:

a. Level 1.  Provision of a list of capabilities describing what kind of resources that may be made available. This includes what kind of capabilities (tasks that can be performed), number of personnel, response time and restrictions, if any.
b. Level 2.  Provision of more detailed information on contributions by completing Planning Data Sheet(s). The Planning Data Sheet is a detailed list describing the contribution, including a list of Major Equipment, level of self-sufficiency, transportation data, the organization of the units and data on individuals.  Provision of the Planning Data Sheet is a key level in the Secretariat's ability to plan. The format of the Planning Data Sheet is at Annex C.
c. Level 3.  A general Memorandum of Understanding on Standby Arrangements with the United Nations.  A MOU specifies resources provided, response times, and conditions for employment. Also attached to the MOU's are technical data or requirements regarding contributions.  MOUs are the formal documents agreed by the United Nations.
d. Level 4.  A specific MOU that contains agreement on contingent owned equipment.  This will not change significantly when the contribution is called out.  This level can only be completed after detailed negotiations with the Member State, including visits.

23. Information held regarding contributions to UNSAS is used by military and civilian police planners to propose the most appropriate capability to meet the operational requirement of the United Nations and to plan deployment.  To do this effectively information must be current.  A system of quarterly reporting is used to ensure that the information held by the Secretariat is up to date.  The format for this report, which is required at the Standby Arrangements Unit by 31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 30 September concerning status as at the end of the preceding month, is at Annex B.

24. From time to time contributions to the System may temporarily be unavailable due to commitments elsewhere or other issues.  These contributions can remain part of the system, but to assist planning staff, should be reported as “dormant” in the monthly return.

Procedures for Contributing to UNSAS

25. The procedures for placing a proposed contribution on the database is shown below:

a. Phase 1. Offer and Consideration
    (1) Offer by Member State to contribute to UNSAS.
    (2) Consultations with Secretariat staff (Military Division, Civilian Police Unit and FALD) regarding the exact capabilities required and being offered.  Secretariat staff will determine the Level of Commitment offered (see above).
    (3) If offer appears suitable:

(a) For formed units it is placed in the database as provisional until a visit verifies suitability.  Offers cannot progress past this level unless Planning Data Sheets are provided.
(b) For UNMOs/MLOs and staff officers (with the exception of the Mission HQ On Call List) the offer is placed in the database.
(c) For Level One (7 days) of the Mission HQ On Call List, names and personal details are required and the individual will be provisionally placed on the List, pending completion of correspondence training and administrative preparation.  Individuals on Level One will also be given priority for any further training arranged by the Secretariat.  Ideally individuals should remain on the List for a minimum of two years.  Nominations should indicate when the individual can start on the List and when it is planned that he/she will cease to be available for service on the List.  If it can be guaranteed that the individual will be made available regardless of mission this should be indicated when nominating.  The Form for nominating individuals is at Annex A.
(d) Some Member States will have difficulty providing names for the Mission HQ On Call List, but will be able to make a commitment to provide a suitably qualified individual within the required time frame.  This is catered for by the system.  Offers for the On Call List that do not include names will be placed on Level Two (14 days), although names and personal details are preferred for Level Two.  If names are provided for Level Two, correspondence training will be provided.  In the same manner as Level One, individuals should remain on the List for a minimum of two years.  Nominations should indicate when the individual can start on the List and when it is planned that he/she will cease to be available for service on the List (if the individual can be identified).  If it can be guaranteed that the individual will be made available regardless of mission this should be indicated when nominating. The form for nominating individuals is at Annex A.

b. Phase 2. Follow Up Training and Assistance

(1) For units offered on less than 30 days notice where the actual unit can be identified, detailed COE discussions leading to a specific MOU will take place along with a visit by DPKO.  Where this is not the case COE and visits will take place once a unit is identified.
(2) For all units and individuals, training standards and other training material will by provided by DPKO.  An UNSAAT Team may deploy to the Member State.
(3) As a result of visits, equipment deficiencies may be noted.  If the provisional contributor is unable to provide the equipment, the Secretariat will attempt to arrange bilaterally or to identify suitable UN owned equipment. Once this happens the contributions will be fully accepted into the System.

c. Phase 3.  Grouping.  With Member State concurrence, coherent Brigade Groups will be formed from those who have passed through Phase 2.

26. The following is the concept for activation of contributions to the standby arrangements (callout) when a new mission is likely, i.e. when planning has reached an advanced stage with a clear concept:

a. Military Division examines UNSAS databases and clears potential Member State contributions with the Office of Operations (this happens in the early phases of planning). Potential troop and civilian police contributors with significant pledges to the System, particularly those at Level 4 (detailed MOU) are consulted regarding the operational concept for the military and civilian police component.  This is without prejudice to the prerogative of the Security Council and to the essential independent specialist advisory functions of the Military Adviser and Civilian Police Adviser.
b. Military Division forwards warning requests to Member States to meet the operational requirement.  This includes call out of selected individuals on Level One of the Mission HQ On Call List.  At this stage Level Two of the Mission HQ On Call List is placed on 7 days notice and, where not already provided, names and personal details are requested.
c. Selected Level One Mission HQ On Call Staff deploy to New York to be briefed on planning and to complete operational and tactical level planning.
d. If Member States respond positively to the warning request for MILOBs and/or units, UNSAAT Teams deploy and assist the Member State in meeting the specific mission requirements.  This includes training, and advice regarding equipment and self-sustainment (if applicable).  Units and individual MILOBs are placed on 28 days notice to move.  Units and individuals in the reception Phase (apart from the On Call List) are placed on 21 days notice.
e. When it is clear that the Security Council will consider a Report of the Secretary-General (that will lead to a Mandate to establish a new mission), Level Two of the Mission HQ On Call list is called to a concentration area (e.g. the United Nations Logistic Base Brindisi).
f. On issue of Mandate. Level One staff join Level Two staff in the concentration area and deploy as soon as possible into the mission area (within 7 days).
g. For a traditional mission, reception units deploy to the mission area within 21 days and the main body deploys within 28 days.
h. For a complex mission, depending on the security situation, the force, including HQ may concentrate outside the mission area for further administrative and logistic preparation, as well as individual and collective training.  The military component may deploy into the operational area prior to 90 days.

27. The United Nations will deploy teams of experienced staff to assist Member States in all the steps of contributing to UNSAS, including pre-deployment activity once called out.  These are titled United Nations Standby Arrangements Assistance Teams (UNSAAT).  Prior to callout for a specific mission their activity is funded by DPKO funds available to assist rapid deployment.  On callout for a specific mission their activity will be funded by the mission budget.

Further Information

28. Further detail regarding the required capabilities required is available from the Standby Arrangements Unit within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  Email contact is UNSAS@un.org

Annexes:

A. Mission HQ On Call List Positions and Nomination,
Personal History Form & Medical Examination Form
B. UNSAS Quarterly Status Report
C. Planning Data Sheet

Email contact is UNSAS@un.org