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6 RecommendationsRecommendations for the NRC, the Norwegian MFA, the UNDPAand the MSURecommendation 1: Continue the semi-autonomous operation of the SBT with fullownership of the UN.We recommend continuing with the semi-autonomous arrangement of the SBT based uponthe partnership between the NRC and the MSU. There are key advantages to the operationof such a semi-autonomous model as it provides for:The necessary flexibility to offer expert advice and facilitation services to existing UNoperations which are sometimes constrained due to restricted mandates.The opportunity to send the right person at the right time to the right place within 72hours.The opportunity to augment the good offices function of the UNSG and also providetechnical advice on those thematic areas which represents the nuts and bolts ofpeace arrangements.The efficient services of one of the market leaders in roster management.At the moment, no similar flexible arrangement is available within the UN system.It is important to note, however, that the SBT belongs to and is part of the UN and itspeacemaking efforts. It is also for this reason that it is important to develop a suitable handoverstrategy if the UN so decides. If this would be the case, the Norwegian Ministry ofForeign Affairs and the NRC would gain an enormous credit to have funded, created andallowed for the sustainable model of a new and innovative mechanism for providingmediation support services.Recommendation 2: Diversify donor support to ensure sustainability.In order to ensure medium- and long-term sustainability of the SBT, its support base needs tobe diversified. Although additional funding exists, it is not channelled through the NRCarrangement. It is in the interest of all stakeholders to have the most efficient and focusedmanagement of the SBT. It is recommended, therefore, that other donor support is to bechannelled through the NRC as the prime contractor for the team. In addition, the MSUshould take efforts to further diversify donor support. A broadened support base willstrengthen UN ownership with the value added of the NRC as a supporting partner.Recommendation 3: Continue the one-year model and allow for further deployment through the rosteWe recommend continuing the hiring of mediation support experts upon the basis of oneyearcontracts but linking them to the roster of mediation experts. The reason for this is tiedto a number of observations:The working environment for the SBT members is challenging and the demand fordeployment is growing.Some professionals were only available because of the limited time span. They couldtake a one-year break from their workplace but a long-term contract would limit thechoice of high-quality experts.A two-or-three year employment might affect the fresh and out-of-the-box thinking ofthe experts or, in some cases, lead to repeated employments by the same mediationteam which could be better handled through the roster.34