In addition to prioritizing the maintenance and development of the human resource pool, the DRC Stand-by Roster engages actively in the UN Humanitarian Reform Process. It is an important strategic objective of the DRC Stand-by Roster to contribute constructively to the development of the Cluster Approach. The DRC Stand-by Roster does so by a) participating in Cluster working groups, b) deploying DRC Stand-by Roster members to cluster coordination positions both in the field and at head quarter level; and c) by strengthening the capacities of the DRC Stand-by Roster members to engage in the Cluster coordination in the field.

DRC as an organisation is intensively involved in the OCHA ProCap initiative and the Protection Cluster Working Group. DRC staff has contributed to the development of IDP profiling guidelines and a handbook on IDP protection. Besides training and deploying protection officers to especially UNHCR and UNICEF, the DRC Stand-by Roster will in future continue to engage in protection cluster coordination training by nominating candidates for ProCap trainings.

Furthermore, DRC is engaged in the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster chaired by IOM and UNHCR. The DRC Emergency Coordinator has had an editorial role in the Camp Management Toolkit of NRC and UNHCR. The DRC Stand-by Roster have contributed to strengthening this cluster by deploying a CCCM expert to UNHCR Geneva from 2007-2011.

Last but not least, DRC became a member of the Early Recovery Cluster working group in 2008. The MoU with UNDP (Cluster lead on Early Recovery) was renewed early 2009 together with a new strategy to extend the cooperation. The DRC Stand-by Roster has engaged in this work by starting to establish a pool of pre-approved members for deployment as Early Recovery specialists. Thereby, the DRC Stand-by Roster aims to contribute to improving the implementation of the cluster initiatives for Early Recovery.