General
10. The mission of OSL is to deliver a rapid and predictable logistics response that facilitates the provision of critical life-saving services to populations exposed to the impact of acute health emergency events. This is done through:
a. Logistics Operations (OSL OPS) provides response teams with overarching logistics management and field support. This includes the rapid set-up of critical response infrastructure, storage, transport, delivery mechanisms and partner management. The support for or establishing suitable accommodation, functional and secure working spaces, critical equipment, communications capabilities, safe staff transport, and effective fleet management are included.
b. Emergency Supply chain management (OSL SCM) manages an end-to-end, timely and efficient provision of consumables and equipment to support emergency operations. This includes selection, forecasting, procurement, air/sea/land shipment combinations, cargo consolidation, customs clearance, storage, distribution and reporting on delivery of health commodities and other emergency material assets.
c. Technical Health Logistics (OSL TECH) provides technical expertise, tools, methods and means to meet the specific logistical needs of IMS technical teams and their partners during emergencies. Technical areas include but are not limited to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Infection Prevention Control (IPC), Vaccinations, Health Facilities Support, Laboratory Support and Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB)
d. Logistic partner coordination and technical support. OSL coordinates partner's capacities to support the health response by providing logistics services. Technical guidance and support to partners' logistics teams may also be considered.
20. OSL roles and responsibilities may depend on many factors, as described in the ERF. The grading of the Emergency establishes overall responsibilities at the Country, Region and Headquarters levels. The complexity and scale of the event will affect the IMS team's operational structures and expertise required to respond effectively. Chapter XVII.2.5 Incident Management Systems (IMS) that outlines IMS responsibilities, critical functions and grading.
30. For grade 3 acute events, OSL is automatically represented at the HQ level as a member of the IMST. Where regional offices have an OSL Team Lead (OSL-TL) present, the OSL TL will automatically be a member of the IMT at the regional level. Regional OSL TL represents OSL on grade 2 events when required, depending on the nature of the event and the needs expressed by the WHO Country Office (WCO).
40. The regional OSL TL will manage a grade 3 event response. Chief OSL HQ will designate an OSL representative for the IMST at HQ. The Regional OSL TL and Chief OSL HQ will agree on an initial OSL team deployment and designate an OSL TL. The IM then approves the proposed OSL TL and team deployment. In cases where an IM is not yet designated, approval will be sought from the WHO Country Representative (WR).
50. The Regional OSL TL can, in consultation with the Chief OSL HQ, delegate responsibility for oversight of an event to an alternative designated focal point amongst the OSL network, either regionally or at the HQ level.
60. For grade 3 events that span more than one region, the Chief OSL HQ is designated as the OSL event manager.
70. It is uncommon for OSL to be established at the WCO level, particularly in countries not already experiencing acute or protracted events. In such cases, the Administration function will manage most OSL functions. Where an acute event occurs, and an OSL team is deployed to support the IMS, OSL functions as a pillar of the IMS as per the ERF.
80. Protracted graded Events may require the presence of an OSL team and/or an OSL TL. If the IMS is in place, OSL functions as an IMS pillar. If no IMS is in place, the OSL team reporting line is managed at the discretion of the WHO Country Representative (WR) or designated emergency focal point.
OSL Headquarters Roles & Responsibilities
90. The OSL HQ team comprises experts in various technical operation support and logistics areas that develop, support implementation and monitor quality standards of the 3 OSL pillars: i. XVII.9.2 Emergency Operations Support, ii XVII.9.3 Emergency Supply Chain Management (SCM) Coordination and iii XVII.9.4 Introduction to Health Logistics.
100. OSL HQ is responsible for developing operational strategies, technical guidance, guidelines, and standards. Learning materials and operational toolkits. When Strategic Health Operations HQ (SHO) is given the overall multiple regions affected), OSL HQ's responsibilities will include managing and directly coordinating field operations.
110. The OSL HQ team leads the operational readiness of the OSL network. These activities include the management of the OSL roster of deployable personnel and the management of a stock of emergency equipment and supplies to support OSL's immediate and rapid responses.
120. Upon response activation, the OSL HQ team acts as first responder and a surge workforce to efficiently support global health acute emergency response design and implementation.
130. Any member can request OSL HQ support from the OSL team. The request is transferred to the OSL Chief.
Regional Offices Roles & Responsibilities
140. OSL Regional team (OSL RO) is composed of a Regional OSL TL supervising an emergency supply chain unit (RO ESCM) and a field operations support unit (OPS). This team supports and coordinates the OSL response on the ground.
150. The Regional Offices (RO) are responsible for overall leadership of the OSL response, enabling adequacy of the OSL field setup and the operational plan with the Health response needs. In case of lack of capacity and upon request, OSL HQ provides the required competencies by proposing personnel and resources.
160. When leading the OSL response to an acute emergency, the regional OSL TL and his/her team ensure the implementation and monitoring of the OSL emergency performance standards (KPI) and that the quality of the services provided meets the OSL standards and the response objectives.
OSL Field Operations Roles & Responsibilities
170. In a protracted crisis, the WCOs are responsible for the day-to-day management of OSL operations. In case of lack of capacity and upon request to the RO, the RO provides the required competencies by proposing personnel and resources. The OSL TL reports to the WR or designated emergency lead.
180. In an acute event, based on the recommendation of the regional OSL TL, the emergency OSL TL is designated by and reports to the Incident Manager (IM). Once recruited and operational, the OSL TL works with all three levels of the organization to recruit or otherwise mobilize the appropriate OSL team members needed for the response.
190. Typical OSL functions within an IMS are illustrated in Figure 1 below. Note that this is a functional chart, not an organizational chart.
200. In addition to supporting emergency operations, and with the intent to optimize resources, OSL HQ and RO teams are responsible for maintaining efficient coordination mechanisms to provide timely quality resources when and where needed. It is the role of OSL Headquarters to lead the coordination process in synergy with ROs and to make available centrally managed resources and services.
