• Simulations
• Building Trust in Diverse Teams
• National Staff Development
  • ENHAnce
  • The Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies (CBHA)
  • National Staff Development Program
• Staff Retention and Turnover
• Surge Capacity Research
• Other initiatives

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The single most important resource for humanitarian agencies in an emergency environment is experienced and capable staff that can provide the expertise and leadership that is critical for an effective response. Yet many agencies acknowledge that at present they are not taking full advantage of the talents and experience of staff who are nationals of the countries in which they operate. 

Through the ECB Project's Staff Capacity theme, ECB Project NGOs are working together with the Consortium of British Humanitarian agencies (CBHA) to improve the speed and quality of emergency response through improved practice in the recruitment, retention, development and deployment of skilled and experienced staff. The ECB Project is working with several other organizations in the humanitarian sector to better understand the challenges and to develop and test innovative training solutions.

Core Humanitarian Competency Framework

The Core Humanitarian Competency Framework is a shared resource for all 15 CBHA and ECB agencies, and the wider humanitarian community including national NGOs and partners. The framework identifies six core competencies essential to all staff in an emergency response. Though it does not cover the entire spectrum of possible competencies required to be effective in a humanitarian response, it is pivotal in guiding the Consortium’s capacity building efforts being led by Oxfam and Save the Children.

ENHAnce (Expanding National Humanitarian Ability)

The Humanitarian Staff Development Project (HSDP) is a pilot staff training program focused on developing national staff capacity to respond more effectively to humanitarian disasters. The HSDP is designed as an ongoing learning program, moving away from the typical “one-off” workshop approach. It places greater responsibility on the participant to take advantage of self-development opportunities and to apply their learning in the workplace.

Oxfam GB is working together with the ECB Project consortia to implement two staff development courses:

• The Core Humanitarian Skills Development Program introduces the core concepts of humanitarian programming to staff likely to work in a humanitarian response over a six month training period.
• The Humanitarian Leadership and Management Skills Development Program is for mid -level managers and team leaders with humanitarian experience and lasts for nine months.

Both courses were piloted during 2011, and in 2012 these two programs will be further developed in all five ECB countries through a new ECHO-funded project called ENHAnce (Expanding National Humanitarian Ability). These courses will be available in our five ECB consortia countries (link to In the Field) from February 2012, courses last for between 6-9 months each.

If you are interested in these new programs, please contact Nigel Vaz for further information.