REPORTING TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODIES TRAINING GUIDE: Part I — Manual 2.3. Types and key capacities Types NMRFs can be established in different ways. Depending on their location and degree of institutionalization and status, OHCHR has identified four main types: ad hoc; ministerial; interministerial; and institutionally separate. The last three are referred to as standing mechanisms. Interministerial structures supported by an Executive Secretariat in one Ministry are the most common. While not proposing a one-size-fits-all solution, key ingredients for well-functioning and efficient NMRFs, drawing on different State practices, include the following: First, it is recommended that authorities consider investing in the establishment or strengthening of a standing mechanism, that is to say their structure should be maintained beyond the completion of a single report, be it ministerial, inter-ministerial or institutionally separate. Second, an effective NMRF may benefit from a comprehensive legislative mandate, as executive decrees or policies are more susceptible to amendment, as well as a common intra-governmental understanding of its role and political ownership at the highest level. The mandate should be comprehensive, allowing the NMRF to engage broadly with all international and regional human rights mechanisms on all human rights, and to follow-up on recommendations and individual communications emanating from all such mechanisms. Third, the NMRF should have dedicated, appropriately equipped and permanent staff, building sustainable expertise, knowledge and professionalism at country level. Early planning aids optimal budget allocation (e.g., when allocating resources from different Ministries for a delegation to travel to Geneva for a Treaty Body dialogue or UPR before the Human Rights Council). Key capacities In addition, an effective national mechanism should have the following four key capacities: 20