A Bridge Between Humanitarian Actors

Our work

Coordination

ICVA works to strengthen the collective ability of NGOs to actively engage in and influence coordination mechanisms to ensure they are inclusive, contextualised and provide effective assistance and protection to those affected by crises.

 

Coordination Working Groups...

Member working groups provide a platform for members to exchange information and to identify opportunities for collective advocacy....
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Members Working Together

Member working groups provide a platform for members to exchange information and to identify opportunities for collective advocacy.

We encourage members’ active involvement in the these working groups.

Please contact the staff members leading the group if you are interested in participating.

Humanitarian Coordination Working Group

Stay updated and engaged in issues linked to humanitarian coordination and  in-country humanitarian operations.

For more information and to join the group contact Coordination@icvanetwork.org

Mr Jeremy Wellard
Head of Humanitarian Coordination
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Building on his background in coordination, community engagement and network development, Jeremy is a strong advocate for NGOs in interagency coordination, policy and advocacy mechanisms. He previously served as ICVA’s Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, and worked in partnerships for UNOCHA, following 15 years working in development for government, NGO and private sectors across Asia-Pacific region and in his home country of Australia.

Jeremy previously led ICVA’s policy work on the localization of humanitarian action including authoring several papers on this topic. He holds a master’s degree in International Development Studies and a degree in Behavioural Science.

Mr Albert-Philip Burger
Policy and Practice Coordinator
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Albert-Philip joined humanitarian action in 2005, during the Darfur crisis. Since then, he has deployed for various NGOs on a number of humanitarian crises, including South Sudan, Chad and Pakistan, but has also worked on development in contexts such as DPR Korea and post-Ebola Sierra Leone, and on mine action in Guinea. He was a country director for over 10 years, and the coordinator for the INGO forum in Mali in 2020.

He was ICVA West and Central Africa Representative in 2021, before joining the Humanitarian Coordination department in 2022.

Ms Gabriela Miranda
Policy Officer Humanitarian Coordination
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Gabriela joined ICVA in April 2023 as Senior Policy Officer. Her work on Forced Migration focuses notably in supporting NGOs to collectively participate in and influence global processes and mechanisms to ensure these are inclusive, contextualised, and effective in supporting NGOs to meet the needs of those affected by crisis.

Over the past five she has worked with several NGOs and foundations in the development and humanitarian sectors in advocacy, coordination and external engagement. Prior to joining ICVA, she worked with World Vision International on Education in Emergencies on advocacy as well as on technical front through a deployment to support the Ukrainian crisis response.

Gabriela holds a bachelor’s degree in Multilingual Communication and a master’s degree in Standardization, Social Regulation and Sustainable Development from the University of Geneva.

Influence Inter-agency Coordination Mechanisms...

As a "standing invitee" to the IASC, ICVA actively engages in the various IASC bodies....
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Engaging in the IASC Mechanisms

ICVA contributes to the global humanitarian coordination discussions through our participation as  a “standing invitee” in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

We connect our members and NGO fora partners with the various IASC processes, encouraging members to feed into the discussions that are ongoing at the global level. Members  provide a feedback loop with the reality of what is actually happening in the various operational settings to the broad policy level thinking at the global level.

ICVA members have increased access to IASC information and policy developments through the ICVA working groups, and provide feedback on a range of IASC interim guidance notes.

ICVA and its members participate in the following IASC bodies:

  • IASC Principals
  • IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG)
  • IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG)
  • IASC Results Groups on Operational Response, Accountability and Inclusion, Collective Advocacy, Humanitarian-Development Collaboration, and Humanitarian Financing
  • IASC Regional Bodies
Engagement with groups associated with the IASC

ICVA also engages with the following groups associated with the IASC:

  • Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation Steering Group
  • Saving Lives Together Initiative
  • Early Warning Early Action Analysts Group
  • Emergency Response Preparedness Working Group
  • Humanitarian Programme Cycle Steering Group
  • Humanitarian Leadership and Support Steering Group

ICVA has also developed guidance for NGO Representatives on the Humanitarian Country Team Terms of Reference.

Resources

External link
23 July 2021
IASC website
Subject/ Coordination / IASC /
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IASC people
Description

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee is the longest-standing and highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the UN system, bringing together the executive heads of 18 UN and non-UN organisations to ensure coherence of preparedness and response efforts, formulate policy, and agree on priorities for strengthened humanitarian action.

ICVA is a standing invitee to the IASC.

More information on the IASC can be found on their website.

ICVA publication
27 March 2020
ICVA Case Study #4 Engaging in IASC Mechanisms
Subject/ Coordination / IASC /
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2019 Case study IASC
Description

Following the introduction of the revised structure of the IASC in 2019, ICVA advocated with the IASC Secretariat that in order to ensure that the policy work of the IASC responds to the reality on the ground, diversity in OPAG membership is crucial. ICVA enabled the inclusion of local and national NGOs in IASC coordination structures, notably the OPAG and the Results Groups, for the first time after years of advocating for inclusion of national NGOs in the IASC architecture.

ICVA
19 November 2019
IASC Guidelines, Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, 2019
Subject/ Cross-cutting issues / Learning /
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IASC Guidelines on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, 2019 thumbnail
Description

The guidelines set out essential actions that humanitarian actors must take in order to effectively identify and respond to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities who are most at risk of being left behind in humanitarian settings.

Resource page
3 November 2021
Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on Climate
Subject/ Climate & environment /
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Exchanges between NGOs and Humanitarian Leadership

ICVA regularly hosts meetings with humanitarian leaders for open discussions with members and other interested NGOs. 

These exchanges provide an opportunity to share information, increase understanding of the crisis/country context, and find ways for UN agencies and NGOs to better support each other in order to better serve the affected and host population. 

Through ICVA, NGOs contributed to the annual appraisal of humanitarian coordinators conducted by the EDG. The feedback received from members working directly with the coordinators is much valued and helps shape the crucial role of the humanitarian coordinators in general.

Resources

ICVA publication
13 September 2017
The Role of the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator - an independent study
Subject/ Coordination /
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Role DHC IMAGE
Description

This report presents an overview of recent Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator roles and perceptions of the role within the humanitarian community as well as best practices and lessons learned to inform and improve management of the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator role.

The study found that while the role of Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator has evolved organically and has often been managed in an ad hoc manner, the role is often perceived by humanitarian actors as bringing a strong added value to a humanitarian response. When used to address context-specific needs, it is a powerful tool for supporting principled and effective humanitarian aid across challenging coordination landscapes.

ICVA report
20 January 2021
Localization in Humanitarian Leadership
Subject/ Coordination / Middle East and North Africa region / Localization /
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localisation in hum leadership
Description

Against the current background of sustaining local responses, ICVA initiated this research aiming at mapping and documenting the extent of effective and meaningful NNGOs engagement in international humanitarian coordination structures. Focusing in specific at MENA region, the research explores NNGOs engagement in Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs), Country-Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) Advisory Boards, and sector or cluster coordination platforms. The contexts covered are Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, the occupied Palestinian territories, Syria (Damascus and Turkey-based operations as well as the Whole of Syria response), and Yemen. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data, this research briefly profiles national leadership within the seven responses across MENA and outlines the state of NNGO engagement across the region.

IASC Guidance
19 July 2021
Strengthening participation, representation and leadership of local and national actors in IASC humanitarian coordination mechanisms
Subject/ Coordination / Localization / IASC /
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IASC Guidance strengthening participation
Description

This guidance note has been developed to support efforts to strengthen the meaningful participation, representation, and leadership of local and national humanitarian actors (L/NAs) within IASC humanitarian coordination structures. It draws on over 100 pieces of research and good practice to provide recommendations on how L/NAs can be an integral part of humanitarian coordination structures. It provides guidance for Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams, Cluster and Inter-Cluster Coordination Groups, and other related Task Forces and Working Groups.

Governance
18 February 2025
19th General Assembly March 2024 Draft minutes
Subject/ Governance /
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GA2025s
Description

Draft minutes from the 19th General Assembly, held on 20 March 2024. These minutes will be approved by the members attending the 20th General Assembly on 18 March 2025.

IASC Resources

IASC Guidance
19 July 2021
Strengthening participation, representation and leadership of local and national actors in IASC humanitarian coordination mechanisms
Subject/ Coordination / Localization / IASC /
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IASC Guidance strengthening participation
Description

This guidance note has been developed to support efforts to strengthen the meaningful participation, representation, and leadership of local and national humanitarian actors (L/NAs) within IASC humanitarian coordination structures. It draws on over 100 pieces of research and good practice to provide recommendations on how L/NAs can be an integral part of humanitarian coordination structures. It provides guidance for Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams, Cluster and Inter-Cluster Coordination Groups, and other related Task Forces and Working Groups.

ICVA publication
27 March 2020
ICVA Case Study #4 Engaging in IASC Mechanisms
Subject/ Coordination / IASC /
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2019 Case study IASC
Description

Following the introduction of the revised structure of the IASC in 2019, ICVA advocated with the IASC Secretariat that in order to ensure that the policy work of the IASC responds to the reality on the ground, diversity in OPAG membership is crucial. ICVA enabled the inclusion of local and national NGOs in IASC coordination structures, notably the OPAG and the Results Groups, for the first time after years of advocating for inclusion of national NGOs in the IASC architecture.

Strengthening In-country NGO Coordination Fora...

NGO coordination generally complements existing coordination mechanisms....
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Strengthening NGO Collective Action at Country and Global Level

ICVA aims to help improve humanitarian preparedness and response by increasing the effectiveness of NGO coordination in humanitarian contexts and their links with other humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

Independent NGO coordination fora play a valuable role in ensuring humanitarian coordination remains accountable and effective. ICVA  provides ongoing support to national and international NGO fora through the NGO fora support programme

Overall, ICVA’s work with NGO fora reinforces the localization approach as a key approach to address humanitarian needs/challenges in-country; and through this process uses the lessons learned to drive and strengthen humanitarian responses nationally and at global engagements.

Resources

ICVA publication
13 April 2013
A Basic NGO Coordination Guide
Subject/ Coordination /
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NGo Coordination Guide 2013 image
Description

Welcome to a basic Guide on NGO coordination. This Guide is not meant to be a definitive “how to” manual, but it focuses on issues and areas to consider when undertaking NGO coordination and when setting up an NGO coordination body. It is an entry point into the world of NGO coordination – an area of humanitarian response that is vast in practice, but that is also quite limited in terms of documentation and available resources. The Guide is a contribution towards improving NGO coordination so that the wheel does not have to be reinvented by those embarking upon such coordination – whether they be local, national, or international NGOs.

ICVA report
13 March 2021
Strengthening in-country NGO Fora to promote enhanced NGO collective action at field level during the COVID-19 Response
Subject/ NGO fora /
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NGO fora global projects report image
Description

Global Narrative Report Global Report – Final (1st June 2020 – 31st December 2020) of project – Strengthening in-country NGO Fora to promote enhanced NGO collective action at field level during the COVID-19 Response

This project supported 12 in-country NGO Fora (including mainly national, but also mixed and International NGO Fora) in contexts experiencing humanitarian crises along side the pandemic. The project was designed with consultation with NGO fora active in four regions covered by ICVA to support during the COVID 19 pandemic to understand the challenges and role NGO For a in the humanitarian coordination architecture

ICVA publication
13 March 2019
NGO Fora Exchange program - Concept note
Subject/ NGO fora /
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Description

Concept note for ICVA’s NGO fora exchange programme. This programme provides the national and local NGOs Fora with learning opportunities to the work and activity of structured and performing fora in a form of learning exchange programme.

Report
13 October 2020
Syrian NGO network engagement and partnership programme summary
Subject/ NGO fora /
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Syrian NGO network summary image
Description

The Syrian NGO Network Engagement and Partnership Programme is a strategic partnership between UNDP and ICVA to strengthen the capacity of Syrian NGO/CSO networks to enable them to play a vital role in joint coordination and representation by strengthening skills and capacity across a range of areas including joint coordination, governance, and strategic planning.

ICVA publication
13 July 2017
NGO fora advocacy guide: Delivering joint advocacy
Subject/ Coordination / NGO fora /
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Description

While each NGO fora is unique in its membership, structure, scope and strategic direction, this guide to delivering joint advocacy has been developed to be relevant to humanitarian NGO fora of any size or scale. The components within the guide can be used together, or individually, and may be tailored to the needs of each coordination fora.

The guide looks specifically at components of humanitarian advocacy from a perspective of delivering joint NGO advocacy; it is tailored to the collective advocacy work of NGO Fora.

ICVA publication
13 June 2019
NGO Fora Member Engagement Guide
Subject/ NGO fora /
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NGO fora member engagement gde image
Description

This guide was developed under ICVA’s NGO Fora Support Programme. It presents good practice and key considerations for NGO coordination fora seeking to achieve active and sustained member engagement. Whilst the guide is not definitive, it outlines a variety of considerations to inform member engagement work and is relevant to NGO fora of any size or scale.

The guide provides an overview of NGO fora components alongside basic considerations for member engagement and a detailed overview of member engagement good practices across a range of fora activities and processes.

Click on the below links to read the guide in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

Ongoing Support to National and International NGO Fora

ICVA’s “Support to NGO Fora programme” aims to support NGO fora to undertake their collective responsibilities, across three key areas:

  1. Supporting organisational capacity development of NGO fora in strategic planning, governance, and human resource management;
  2. Strengthening NGO fora advocacy and echoing their views at global and regional levels;
  3. Promoting the pivotal role of NGO fora amongst the broader humanitarian community (including donors, governments, UN agencies, and NGOs).

ICVA is working with NGO fora operating in countries affected by humanitarian crises, including:

  • National NGO fora
  • International NGO fora
  • Mixed NGO fora (with membership including both national and international NGOs)
Why are NGO Fora so critical in delivering principled and effective humanitarian assistance? Watch this video to understand more.

NGO fora: the power of collective action

Resources

ICVA publication
13 June 2019
NGO Fora Member Engagement Guide
Subject/ NGO fora /
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NGO fora member engagement gde image
Description

This guide was developed under ICVA’s NGO Fora Support Programme. It presents good practice and key considerations for NGO coordination fora seeking to achieve active and sustained member engagement. Whilst the guide is not definitive, it outlines a variety of considerations to inform member engagement work and is relevant to NGO fora of any size or scale.

The guide provides an overview of NGO fora components alongside basic considerations for member engagement and a detailed overview of member engagement good practices across a range of fora activities and processes.

Click on the below links to read the guide in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

ICVA publication
13 July 2017
NGO fora advocacy guide: Delivering joint advocacy
Subject/ Coordination / NGO fora /
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NGOfora_advocacyGuide_image
Description

While each NGO fora is unique in its membership, structure, scope and strategic direction, this guide to delivering joint advocacy has been developed to be relevant to humanitarian NGO fora of any size or scale. The components within the guide can be used together, or individually, and may be tailored to the needs of each coordination fora.

The guide looks specifically at components of humanitarian advocacy from a perspective of delivering joint NGO advocacy; it is tailored to the collective advocacy work of NGO Fora.

Coordination and E-Learning...

Find more resources and learning materials related to humanitarian coordination...
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E learning

Demystifying Humanitarian Coordination
8 June 2017
Demystifying Humanitarian Coordination
Subject/ Coordination / Learning /
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dimistifying-coordination-T6-05
Description

The complexity of emergencies requires that humanitarian actors coordinate their responses effectively. However, many NGOs have only a limited understanding or engagement in the humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

This series includes webinars on the following topics:

  • The IASC and the global humanitarian coordination architecture: How can NGOs engage?
  • The humanitarian coordination architecture at country and regional levels
  • NGO fora and consortia – from local to global
  • OCHA and NGOs in humanitarian coordination
  • The New Way of Working: What is it? What does it mean for NGOs?
  • NGOs in government-led and refugee coordination contexts

 

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