What’s the HC Pool?
Established in 2009, the IASC Humanitarian Coordination Pool is a roster of high caliber humanitarian professionals from UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, IOM, and NGOs who are considered by the IASC to be qualified for humanitarian coordination leadership positions:
• Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC); Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/ Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC); and RC in disaster-prone countries.
• Stand-alone HC/RHC and Deputy HC (long or short-term).
How does the HC Pool work?
A call for applications is issued twice a year and disseminated widely. Rigorous screening and interview processes are carried out by senior-level IASC panels comprising of UN and non-UN representatives. HC Pool members are encouraged to pass the Resident Coordinator Assessment Centre (RCAC) examination, which is a prerequisite for applying for RC, RC/HC, and DSRSG/RC/HC positions. For non-UN candidates, OCHA has limited funds to cover the costs of the RCAC examination. Once a vacancy arises, HC Pool members are either:
• Proposed by their agency (or OCHA) to the UN Inter-Agency Advisory Panel (IAAP) as candidates for RC/HC, DSRSG/RC/HC, or RC positions; or Nominated by the Emergency Relief Coordinator as stand-alone HC or DHC for short or long-term assignments. Who’s in the HC Pool? As of March 2013, the HC Pool includes 65 members from 22 different agencies:
• 13 HC Pool members (20%) are from a non-UN organization.
• 19 HC Pool members (29%) are currently posted as DSRSG/RC/HC, DSRSG/RC, Deputy Special Coordinator/RC (DSC/RC), RC/HC, DHC or RC.
• 37 HC Pool members (56%) are at Director (D1 or D2) and Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) level.
• 43 HC Pool members (66%) have passed the Resident Coordinator Assessment Centre (RCAC). The gender and geographical balance remains unsatisfactory, with only 14 women (19%) and 13 individuals from non-OECD countries (21%).
How has the HC Pool been used?
In 2012, 12 HC Pool members were selected for RC, RC/HC, DSRSG/RC/HC positions (out of 31 advertised positions). Out of 28 HC Pool members who applied for RC, RC/HC and DSRSG/RC/HC, HC, RHC or DHC posts since 2009, 24 (85%) were selected by the United Nations Secretary-General. One HC Pool member was deployed as stand-alone HC in Libya (April-October 2011).
Why join the HC Pool?
HC Pool members enjoy the full support of the IASC, as they are considered qualified by the humanitarian community to perform humanitarian coordination leadership functions. HC Pool members are provided with tailored career counseling to enhance competencies and knowledge relevant to humanitarian coordination. The HC Pool secretariat may also identify relevant training to meet the specific learning needs of individual members. HC Pool members are regularly informed of upcoming vacancies for humanitarian coordination leadership posts and provided career advice.
Who should apply?
Humanitarian leaders with:
• extensive field-based humanitarian experience (at least 10 years managing or coordinating operations);
• significant representative experience (at least five years as a country director or representative); and
• development experience.
Anyone can apply to the HC Pool, whether a staff member of an IASC organization, an NGO not affiliated with the IASC, the UN Secretariat, a UN Specialized Agency, international organization, a Government, a private sector organization, or an independently employed individual. Candidates must be nominated, however, by an IASC organization. OCHA, as a member of the IASC, is willing and ready to nominate qualified candidates who are not currently staff members of an IASC organization.
How to apply?
1. If you do not already have one, download from the website and complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) and Supplementary Sheet.
2. Download the Nomination Letter; fill it out and have it signed by the HR Director of your parent organization, and/or the delegate officer or an IASC affiliated organization.
3. Write a cover letter outlining your motivation for being part of the HC Pool.
4. If you wish to be nominated by OCHA send your PHP and a cover letter to the HC Pool Manager at hcpool@un.org . Senior management in OCHA will review your application and if you are considered qualified, nominate you for the selection process.
5. If you are nominated by an IASC organization send your cover letter, the PHP, the supplementary sheet and the nomination letter to the HC Pool Manager at hcpool@un.org.
When to apply?
Current and former DSRSG/RC/HCs, RC/HCs, HCs, and DHCs should simply send a recently updated P11, PHP or CV along with a cover letter to the HC Pool Manager. When to apply? Current and former DSRSG/RC/HCs, RC/HCs, HCs, and DHCs can apply at any time. All other applicants can contact the HC Pool Manager at any time to request information on the next call for applications – issued twice a year.