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Office Closure

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Published:
24 April 2013
Region:
Global
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Office Closure

Office Closure (2013) considers the processes required to close an office or programme while minimising risks to staff, the organisation, and programmes. This Guide is intended for use in either a planned closure, or a closure which is forced by contextual factors.

Regardless of the reason for closure, the hazards of not approaching the process in a considered and organised way remain the same. Of primary concern are the security risks that can arise. How stakeholders are made aware of the closure, and are supported during the preparation for departure, will be crucial in minimising these risks.

Failing to manage the closure process appropriately can leave the organisation vulnerable to abuse of or violence against staff, theft of resources, reputational damage, and ill-feeling, which may extend to the humanitarian community in general, putting other organisations’ programmes and staff at risk.

A well-planned and transparent approach to office closure can avoid many of these hazards, and this guide, though not an alternative to adequate planning, aims to help organisations to plan, coordinate and implement a successful, safe closure.

The guide is structured around work sectors relevant to a closure, so that staff can easily consult a specific section appropriate to their duties and responsibilities.

Consideration is given to:

  • Part 1 Planning
  • Part 2 Coordination of Office Closure
  • Part 3 Security
  • Part 4 Communications Strategy
  • Part 5 Information Management
  • Part 6 Finance
  • Part 7 Human Resources
  • Part 8 Logistics
  • Part 9 Programmes

The associated tools can be downloaded in editable format following the links below:

Office Closure is followed by Office Openingwhich provides an easy-to-follow process detailing the recommended steps when opening an office where the property market may be complex and/or ambiguous.

Related:

Office Opening: A guide for non-governmental organisations

This guide provides an easy-to-follow process detailing the recommended steps when opening an office where the property market may be complex and/or ambiguous. While the guide refers to an ‘office’, the process is equally relevant to any building e.g. accommodation, hospital, warehouse, etc.

Ouvrir un nouveau bureau : Manuel à l’attention des organisations non gouvernementales

Ce manuel a été conçu pour présenter de manière simplifiée les démarches qu’il est recommandé d’entreprendre pour ouvrir un bureau dans un pays où le marché de l’immobilier est susceptible d’être complexe et/ou confus. Bien que ce manuel fasse souvent référence à un « bureau », le processus est tout…

Security to go: a risk management toolkit for humanitarian aid agencies

This guide provides a simple, easy-to-use guide for non-security experts to quickly set up basic safety, security and risk management systems in new contexts or rapid onset emergency response situations.