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Applications for Gear Up 2023 are now open. 
Consult the application section below for full instructions. 

Application closing date: 5 July 23 

 

Exercise Description 

Gear.UP is a large-scale inter-agency operational exercise and functional training event designed to further advance emergency response capabilities of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) and the Logistics Cluster. It provides personnel from each cluster with opportunities to practice and train on various emergency response functions, and to support each other as they would in a real emergency. 

This intensive 8-day field exercise is prepared by the World Food Programme (WFP), as global lead of the ETC and Logistics Cluster, in conjunction with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the Government of Luxembourg and Ericsson Response. 

In the gear.UP skilled logistics professionals are put to the test in a rigorous 8-day simulation, providing immediate operational logistics surge capacity as part of Logistics Cluster. This training is designed to give the participants a realistic emergency experience through working in field-like conditions, (in tents and with limited connectivity). Participants must overcome obstacles presented by local authorities (military, police, customs etc.) and other logistical challenges in order to complete their objective.

  • Exercise Duration: 8 days  
  • Location: THW Training Centre, Neuhausen, Near Stuttgart, Germany 
  • Number of Participants:  45 
  • Exercise environment: Field accommodation with simulated field conditions 

Exercise Aim 

Led by the Emergency Telecommunications and Logistic clusters, gear.UP is a training simulation for partner agencies and organisations to collaborate and overcome challenges together; emergency responders form a trusted network in a demanding scenario which reflects the intensity of global emergency environments. 

Methodology: The Logistics Cluster is following adult learning theories. This training exposes participants to situations in which they will have to apply knowledge from previous experiences and will be learning by doing (including failing!). 

Who can participate? 

The participants of gear.UP should have a strong logistics background and/or relevant other profiles (e.g. Information Management) with substantial field experience while the facilitators can be senior logistics officers or have other applicable senior specialization. Previous participation in the Logistics Cluster Induction training (online or face-to-face) is mandatory. 

Selection criteria: 

Participants should have mid to senior level positions in their organisation with (extensive) experience in emergency response (minimum of 5 years of experience); 

  • As the Logistics Cluster is a network/group of currently over 60 different organisations, it can only live from active participation and contribution. Hence, participants should have the opportunity of deploying to a Logistics Cluster operation either for their own organisation or as a secondee into the Logistics Cluster; 
  • Have operational experience in logistics, supply, transportation, IM, warehousing, negotiations (preferable);
  • Inter-agency and coordination experience; 
  • Humanitarian field experience in emergencies; 
  • Managerial experience; 
  • Communication skills; 
  • Willingness to learn and to be open minded; 
  • Stress resistance and willingness to stay in rough field accommodation for the simulation (tents, limited access to sanitation facilities, MRE food). Participants have to commit to live in this set-up for a full week!  
  • It is essential that participants are stress resistant, with a high frustration tolerance and comply with the Code of Conduct (WFP or IFRC). 
  • The expectation is that the participant will work in team in a variety of roles during the simulation and therefore be willing to be flexible in their working roles and enthusiastic in regard to the simulation; 
  • Participants should be willing to work outside their comfort zone and accept working in international teams with different approaches; 
  • The training is intensive and as such the hours worked will likely be long (e.g. 6 a.m. – 3 a.m.; with little or no sleep). There is no chance to work on activities linked to their regular position/job. 
  • Have completed the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field training (online from UNDSS) and additional required self-paced e-learnings through the Logistics Cluster e-learning portal, as indicated below; 

How to Participate?  

The invitation is addressed to focal points of organisations to nominate candidates meeting the minimum requirements linked to the role selected (participant or facilitator). Please note it is a requirement to also send a facilitator if sending a participant. 

1)  Participants: 

As the number of places is limited, we suggest that you propose maximum of two participants and up to two facilitators from your organisation.  As there is usually a high number of applications, it is likely that only one participant per organisation will be chosen and some organisations will not be able to get their participant in, however, other potential participants may be included in a future LRT training. Participants should be available to arrive on 16 September 2023 (in Frankfurt, Stuttgart or Munich).  

Participants should be aware: 

  • The training is designed as a full simulation exercise, in which participants are learning by doing (including failing) – guidance will be provided through Facilitators 
  • The training is intensive and as such the hours worked will likely be long (with little sleep) – stress resistance is key! It is a 24 hours per day exercise. 
  • There will be extensive required e-learnings (12-hour investment BEFORE arrival in Germany) 
  • It is an emergency scenario-based training – this includes living conditions which will be in an emergency setting  and therefore rough (including chemical toilets, ! 
  • It is expected that participants commit to “play the game” of the scenario all week long 

!!!Selection of participants is strongly linked to the ability of the organisation to provide a facilitator for the training!!! 

After selection and before the exercise commences, participants must complete: 

  • Basic Security in the Field Training (online) which can be found here 
  • Logistics Cluster Induction Training (E-LCI)
  • Basic Humanitarian Logistic Course
  • Service Provision Training
  • Logistic Cluster Forms
  • Service Mind-Set Training (SMT) which can be found on the Logistics Cluster e-learning portal 

All those can be found on the Logistics Cluster e-learning portal . Just register yourself and feel free to complete other learning opportunities this platform provides.

Failure to complete these e-trainings will result in their place in the training being cancelled. 

2) Facilitators: 

Please also propose someone from your organisation for the role of facilitator as it is vital to provide guidance and training to the participant of your organisation. Facilitators ensure the success of the simulation, without them, it simply is not possible to run the training. Facilitators are expected to arrive preferably 14 September evening or latest on 15 September 2023 by noon (12:00 p.m.) CEST at Stuttgart Airport. 

IMPORTANT: To ensure the simulation is as “real” as possible, the scenario will be fluid and many aspects will be modified and fine-tuned throughout the training. We will aim for maximum flexibility whilst maintaining the coherence of the scenario. It’s expected that facilitators play an acting role following a script, but at the same time provide inputs and create their own “story line” to make their acting as much credible as possible, creating documents and engage with participants in many forms along the week. Facilitators briefings are expected to happen before the exercise begins.

Potential candidates and facilitators should apply here no later than 5 July 23 18:00 CEST. Participants will be required to send a letter of support from their Focal Point or supervisor to global.gearup@wfp.org once the application form has been submitted. Applications without this will not be considered complete. This is a very competitive training. Applying does not guarantee acceptance. 

 

Cost and Funding: 

Accommodation and full-board catering will be provided from 16-23 September (facilitators 14-23 September). Covering only lunch on the 23 September 2023. Voluntarily dinner on the 23rd could be organized but not covered by the gear.UP organization.  The training is free of charge for participants and facilitators. 

Participating organisations are responsible for costs related to travel and terminals (as well as potential catering/accommodation outside the training period) and should be funded through participating organisations. 

 

Any further question, comment or suggestion please communicate with us through global.gearup@wfp.org