The European External Action Service proposed to Member States in a 48-page document dated 11 January to redefine the guidelines for the organisation of civilian CSDP missions.
“This new version of the guidelines relating to the ‘Mission Model Structure’ is meant to capture further lessons learnt and best practice identified, especially with regards to the standardisation of Mission Headquarters’ (MHQs) set-up and the primacy of operations as well as business—or command rather—continuity the EEAS stresses, while warning that for the mission to function properly, the organisational structure needs to be complemented by processes that promote cohesion in decision-making, execution and support.
These guidelines will be implemented progressively during the review of ongoing civilian missions and will apply to all new missions.
“In addition to the guidelines [...], any final mission design is determined by the overall level of ambition set by Member States, by local and security requirements and/or by mission mandate specifications”, the document recalls, adding that threat assessment is an essential element that “greatly tempers the configuration and ambitions of the mission”.
For the EEAS, three fundamental principles govern an “effective and efficient” organisation: ‘form follows function’, unity of command and continuity of function.
Clearly, the organisational structure must reflect the logic of the functions to be performed, which must be allocated to staff and units according to the particularity of the mandated tasks and management requirements. In addition, each line manager exercises authority over the staff under his or her responsibility, and each member of the organisation reports to only one line manager. Finally, the sustainability of the management of the mission and the execution of the mandate must be ensured throughout the duration of the mission. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)