Sphere Country Focal Points description

Aim

The overall aim of the Sphere Project is to enhance quality and accountability in humanitarian response through the use of the Sphere Handbook in emergencies – to the benefit of affected populations.

The Sphere country focal point system is meant to contribute to a more active uptake of Sphere in emergenciesat the country level.

Roles, rights and responsibilitiesof Sphere country focal points:

A Sphere country focal point is a (group of) organisation(s) or an individual whose role is to actively promote and advocate for Sphere country-wide. The role of country focal point is a voluntary one. Focal points receive no financial contribution from the Sphere Project office.

The activities of Sphere country focal points varies greatly from country to country, depending on specific humanitarian needs. . Some of the most common and effective focal point activities are:

-be the point of contact for people and organisations seeking support to implement Sphere:

-advocate with Governments for the use Sphere in their humanitarian and disaster management policies;

-promote the use of the Sphere Handbook with humanitarian organisations;

-translatethe Sphere Handbook and materials into local languages;

-formand actively participate in a “Quality and Accountability” group etc.

Often, there is one Sphere focal point per country which will coordinate and encourage coordinated Sphere activities. However, there is no pre-set limitation to the number of country focal points. If there are more than one, they are expected to inform each other about their activities. There is no hierarchy among country focal points. Rather, they should coordinate their activities – as appropriate – among each other and with the regional Sphere partner (where there is one). Sphere country focal points are expected to actively exchange information with the Sphere Project office. Sphere focal points have no exclusive right to carry out Sphere-related activities (for examples trainings).

Relationship with the Sphere Project office:

The relationship between the Sphere Project office and the Sphere country focal point should be wielding mutual benefits.

The Sphere Project office can support Sphere country focal points in a number of areas:
advocacy or promotional activities (for example with messaging, content advice, support letters for funding etc, to the extent possible); providingpromotion, advocacy and training toolsto support the activities; advice on Sphere training and learning activities etc.

The Sphere Project office will communicate directly with each country focal point at least once a year. It will also involve and inform them on global developments regarding Sphere as appropriate and promote regional meetings and activities for country focal points.

In turn, by informing the Sphere Project office of their activities and needs, the Sphere focal country focal points will help the office improve and expand the range of tools – which helps country focal points carry out their activities more effectively and will lead to active uptake of Sphere in emergencies. The Sphere office may use information provided by country focal points in its own global advocacy and promotional work.

Who qualifies as Sphere focal point?

Organisations or individuals interesting in becoming a Sphere country focal point should meet the following criteria:

  • Is one of the following: organisation, agency, network, advocacy or umbrella organisation (to ensure continuity), or an individual
  • The person identified within the focal point organisation or the individual focal point has a extensive experience in Sphere implementation in the field.
  • Can demonstrate that they regularly carry out or initiate Sphere-related activities
  • Have a proven track record of promoting Q&A within the country
  • Have the potential to successfully promote Sphere in the country, with humanitarian agencies, donor groups, relevant government bodies etc
  • Recognised as focal point by the humanitarian community in-country
  • Can dedicate time to Sphere activities

Sphere focal point database

By being included on the Sphere website along with specific Terms of Reference, the country focal point will become publicly accountable to the Sphere community with regard to the activities they intend to carry out.

Through validation, the Sphere Project office agrees with the ToR’s overall quality and feasibility, but will not oversee the activities deriving from that ToR. Where problems are brought to the Sphere Project office’s attention, it will intervene to help solve them as appropriate, and it reserves the right to remove a country focal point from its website if their activities do not correspond with Sphere’s approach.

How to apply

To apply, please send us a brief ToR describing your organisation and planned activities. You can also simply use the suggested ToR below and return it . Once the ToR is validated by the Sphere Project office, country focal points, their contact details and the ToR are included in the Sphere focal points database sphereproject.org/about/focal-points/) .

Terms of Referencefor Sphere country focal points

Sphere country focal point application form
(the sections followed by a * will be published on the Sphere website)
Nameand email address of the applicant / Samat Karmyshov,
Name of the organisation or group or organisations, as applicable / ICCO Cooperation
If the Focal Point is an organisation or group of organisations:
Email address of the contact person* / Samat Karmyshov
Regional Advisor on Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response
South & Central Asia Regional Office
or

Brief description of experience with Sphere* / Promoted Sphere handbook translation into the Kyrgyz language
Conduct introductory Sphere trainings for local NGOs
Motivation to be focal point and aspects that qualify the organisation/individual for this role* / As mentioned, I have been involved in the promotion of the minimum standards in Kyrgyzstan since 2011. Through translation process of the Sphere Handbook (3rd edition) into the Kyrgyz language, I was very pleased to learn about the identified and broadly accepted minimum standards in humanitarian response. This should be promoted in Kyrgyzstan as well- this was my motivation. I carry this motivation to the organizations I work for and ICCO Cooperation, as one of the key coordinators among INGOs in disaster preparedness and humanitarian response, has supported me to further practice as well as promote the Sphere in Central and South Asia in its disaster preparedness initiatives.
Proof / indications that the humanitarian sector in the country will accept the focal point / Indications: I am a member of the technical working group of the Disaster Response Coordination Unit (DRCU) of Kyrgyzstan. ICCO Cooperation is co-facilitator of the humanitarian response working group of the National Platform for DRR.
Planned activities for next 12 months* / -To conduct Sphere trainings for partner NGOs in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
-To conduct Sphere training for ICCO staff and ACT Central Asian Forum members
-To lobby the minimum standards to be incorporated into the national humanitarian response mechanism(s) in Kyrgyzstan.
-To print more Kyrgyz copies of the Handbook and distribute among NGOs/Government offices
-To update Kyrgyz version of the Sphere Handbook, according to the new edition, if any will be issued.
-To share the Sphere newsletters among the humanitarian actors in Kyrgyzstan
Suggested success indicators* / -6 Sphere trainings conducted for the local NGOs in six oblasts of Kyrgyzstan
-At least 2 Sphere training(s) conducted or ACT Central Asian Forum members
-100 Kyrgyz version of the 2011 edition is printed and distributed to local NGOs
-Monthly dissemination of Sphere newsletters
-At least national meeting on the Minimum standards (Sphere meeting) for international and nationalhumanitarian stakeholders.

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