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8. Team selection

Getting the right mix of skills on the team is very important. The right mix depends on both technical and functional positions and skills, as well as the personal qualities that team members bring to the team, especially gender and diversity.

Assessment teams should be as small as possible (for example, three-person) as they are much easier to manage. However, a larger assessment team may be more appropriate when it is already known that a start-up team is also required immediately.

8.1 Attributes of assessment teams

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Checklist

Technical skills often required Other qualities required
  • Generalist programming skills-ability to analyse overall humanitarian situation, develop programme strategy and project concepts, and write proposals
  • Local context-someone who can facilitate contacts for the assessment team, and help contextualise the analysis and recommendations
  • Technical sector specialist expertise in key sectors-Water and sanitation, food security, sexual and reproductive health and rights, shelter and logistics
  • Cross-cutting analysis skills-Gender, environment, conflict, protection and do no harm
  • Communications management-Media and information management
  • Operational skills-Security, logistics, administration and interpreting capacity
  • Team leadership
  • Representational skills
  • Gender balance
  • Language skills
  • Cultural experience
  • Knowledge and experience in geographic area
  • Access to local networks
  • Sufficient start-up and operational capacity

8.2 Effective team management

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The assessment team leader is responsible for ensuring that the team functions effectively. This requires the following: 

  • Ensure all team members are fully briefed on the mission objectives, their own role in meeting the terms of reference, security issues, standard operating procedures and their reporting requirements. 
  • Facilitate team work including planning, analysis and review of findings and information sharing. This includes daily team meetings, phone calls and end-of-day debriefings. 
  • Manage the performance of team members and address any disciplinary issues. 
  • Coordinate reporting inputs to ensure all members deliver required outputs.