NOTE:
        We took into consideration the recommendations made in the “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”, included in the Report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.

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Background

On 21 August 2000 (Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations - A/55/305 - S/2000/809) Member States endorsed the need for the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS) to develop the capability of deploying resources on short notice to facilitate the planning establishment of peacekeeping operations mandated by the Security Council. The General Assembly 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 Resolution.

1. UNSAS is based upon conditional commitments by Members States to contribute specified resources within agreed response times for United Nations peacekeeping operations. The resources agreed upon remain on "stand-by" in their home country, where necessary preparation and training is conducted to fulfil specified tasks or functions in accordance with the United Nations mandate. Among the resources required for rapid deployment is the On-Call List of military officers who are to provide the functional expertise required to start-up a mission. It is important that during the foundation phase of mission start-up, where changes to the original plan frequently occur, the UN HQ and the emerging field mission should develop a common understanding of issues, and that officers on both sides operate based on a previously established working relationship. The On-Call List is to augment the military planing effort in DPKO during the planning of a new mission, and to form the nucleus of the military staff of a mission headquarters. These officers will be part of the Stand-by Arrangements System for a period of two years. Once deployed, the staff would remain operational until replaced by deploying contingents (usually about 2 to 3 months, but longer if necessary, up to a six-month term)

Aim

2. This document describes the joining procedure for the On-Call List of Military Officers and outlines administrative procedures for the duration of their employment. It should be communicated to Member States and, through the Member States, to all the individuals on the On-Call List.

Military Component of the Mission Headquarters

3. The need to establish command and staff capacities for a new mission has been identified and the generic organization of a typical military component of the mission headquarters (Annex A) has been produced to meet this requirement. It focuses on the functions required to plan, command, direct and support a multinational peacekeeping force. The staff list (Annex B) for the military component of the mission headquarters shall be completed when nominations are received from Member States and will be updated periodically.

The United Nations On-Call List of Military Officers

4. The On-Call List is the nucleus of the headquarters of a developing peacekeeping operation and consists of military planners who can be deployed when required by the UN. The United Nations has requested Member States to select qualified personnel for the On-Call List to be placed under the Stand-by Arrangements System for a period of two years. The List consists of Groups One and Two and shall be activated within seven and fourteen days` notice respectively. Details of personnel nominated for the two groups will be provided to the Secretariat by Member States through the UN Personal History Form  (Annex C). The Military Division will maintain and update individual profiles in the database and contact Permanent Missions periodically to ascertain availability of the personnel when the need arises.

5. Following the recommendation by the technical survey team to establish a mission, the Force Generation and Military Personnel Service in the Military Division will notify, through a fax (Annex D), Permanent Missions of the Secretariat's intention to activate the On-Call List. The personnel will remain ready for deployment in home country and the contributing governments shall be responsible for the administrative arrangements leading to the deployment. The timeline (Annex E) outlines key activities associated with the deployment of the On-Call List.
· Group One. Within seven days after the issuance of the Note Verbale to the Permanent Mission, key staff planners will deploy from home country to Military Division, DPKO, UN Headquarters, New York to assist the planning element in DPKO to develop the concept of operation and administrative guidelines before deploying into the mission area. After spending the first two weeks of deployment in the mission area, Chief of Staff, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Logistics Officer will return to DPKO, UN Headquarters, New York, to finalize the military plan of operation, with Military Planning Service. To facilitate this, names and personal details of the staff are required and the individuals will be provisionally placed on the List.  Individuals will also be given priority for any further training arranged by the Secretariat. Payment will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
· Group Two. Within fourteen days of the issuance of the Note Verbale to the Permanent Mission, Group Two staff members will deploy from their home country to the mission area or a designated staging area. Their task is to establish a headquarters in preparation of the arrival of contingents.

6. Staff in Groups One and Two shall be on short-term assignments of three to six months per new mission, and will gradually hand over responsibility to the nominated mission headquarters staff. For the duration of their stand-by engagement, they will be involved in training programs hosted by Member States and other tasks as the Secretariat may decide. At the end of two years, the Secretariat will request replacements from contributors.

Documents

7. Travel Documents. Personnel on the On-Call List are responsible for acquiring and securing their own travel documents.

8. Passports. On-Call List officers must obtain valid passports from national authorities. The passport should be valid for at least three years.

9. Visas. Key planners for the On-Call List Group One personnel shall be advised to obtain USA entry visas prior to departure. Group Two personnel should obtain visas for the mission area and transit visas, which may be required for passage through countries en-route to the mission area (Annex E).

10. Driving Licenses. On-Call List officers must have at least two years driving experience, and must be in possession of valid national or international driving license covering light staff cars and 4x4 light trucks.

Medical

11. Medical Examinations. On-Call List personnel are to ensure that prior to their departure, copies of their medical history and the result of the latest medical examination (UN Form MS 2(6-00E) - Annex F) accompanied by a radiologist's report is forwarded to the Medical Director, United Nations New York, NY 10017, USA. These will be used by the Medical Director for verification of the individual's medical condition upon assignment.

12. Medical Records. On-Call List personnel must possess international certificate of vaccination, showing all vaccinations and immunizations received. They must also obtain authoritative record of blood type and RH factor. Both documents should be carried all the time.

13. The United Nations will pay complete travel expenses of the On-Call List personnel travelling to New York and mission area upon assignment, and returning to their home country upon completion of their tour of duty.

14. Air Transportation. Air transportation will be by economy class as per normal UN rules, by the most direct and economical commercial route between the officer's home duty station or home country and the mission area. Travel will normally be arranged by a UN nominated travel agent, on instructions from the United Nations. Once these travel arrangements have been completed, Travel Unit, PMSS will send the details (including travel authorization) to the relevant Permanent Mission. At the same time, they will inform the Military Planning Service, Current Military Operations Service, Office of Operations, Logistics Support Division (Annex G) and field mission for Groups One and Two respectively, of the travel itinerary so that the necessary reception arrangements can be made.

15. Travel Arranged by Government. In cases where travel is arranged by the officer’s government at the request of the UN, the UN will reimburse the government upon receipt of invoices up to the amount of the entitlement established by the UN. The government should advise the Travel Unit, Personnel Management Support Service, Office of Logistics Management and Mine Action, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, (fax 212 963 0064) of the traveler’s flight details.

16. Travel Claims. On-Call List officers must arrange their travel in order to take up duty on the date stipulated in the Secretariat's Note Verbale. Copies of all relevant travel documents (tickets, boarding passes and receipts) should be retained, as they will be required to support a travel claim.

17. Military Uniform. On-Call List officers shall wear field uniform while on duty. The UN will provide a blue beret, blue helmet cover, blue peaked cap, cap badge, two neck scarves, two brassards
and six shoulder patches to be sewn on the upper right sleeve of the uniform shirt and jacket. A detailed guide to the clothing and equipment required will be included in the mission guidelines.

18. Civilian Clothing. Group One staff when reporting to UNHQ’s will require smart casual outfit for working hours. Fieldwork uniform and fatigues shall not be worn during this period.

19. Travel Expenses/Claims. Upon arrival in New York, Group One staff should be in possession of air tickets, boarding passes and receipts and will be assisted through their claims by the Military Planning Service. The same documents should be submitted to the mission headquarters on arrival. Normal travel and daily subsistence allowance for New York will apply. In the mission area, Chief Administration Officer will determine the travel and subsistence allowance.

20. Subsistence Allowance. The daily rates for New York and the field mission shall be made available on arrival, although details may be sent to individuals by fax during the initial notification. Home salary remains a national responsibility.

21. Living Accommodation. Upon arrival in New York, hotel accommodation for Group One staff will be arranged by Travel and Transportation Service / Office of Central Support Services / Department of Management. The expenses for their accommodation will be borne by the staff members.
The working stations are shown in Annex H. Accommodation in the field will be determined by the mission headquarters and should be detailed in the mission guidelines.

22. Food. For the duration of their stay in New York, Group One staff shall be responsible for all their meals. The mission headquarters will determine feeding arrangements in the mission area.

23. The On-Call list is a well-recognized requirement for proper mission start-up that will provide the UN with a capacity to quickly plan and develop missions. Whilst this document outlines the joining procedure for the On-Call List officers, it does not represent guidelines for any mission. It should not be regarded as fully exhaustive as it shall be applied in conjunction with other UN HQ policy and procedural documents for the conduct of field missions and supplementary directives issued by UN HQ.
 

Annexes:

Job Description Table
A. Military Component of a Mission Headquarters.
C. Personal History Form.
D. Activation Fax (Sample)
E. Typical Deployment Timeline.
F. Entry Medical Examination Form.
G. Telephone Directory
H. On-Call List Group 1 Working Stations.