Introduction
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is when working in situations of armed conflict, situations of armed violence and immediately post-conflict, regularly faced with challenges related to weapon contamination. Such weapons can be of a conventional or a non-conventional type and include unexploded or abandoned ordnance, landmines, toxic or radioactive agents. Weapons contamination is an impediment to both human security and development and weapon related risks will need to be managed in a professional manner.
The ICRC – owing to its wide acceptance in the field, its neutrality and its independence – can access areas that are off-limits to other organisations. The ICRC undertakes a range of activities to minimize the impact of weapon contamination on affected populations and to ensure a rapid and effective response. Such response could be one or more of the following activities:
- Risk awareness and education activities on conventional and non-conventional (CBRN) weapon hazards
- Information gathering and analyses of weapon contamination
- Armed Violence Reduction education
- Risk based training to increase resilience for civilians in armed conflict
- Non-technical and technical survey activities
- Clearance of conventional and non-conventional (CBRN) weapon hazards
- Capacity building of National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and National Authorities
Main responsibilities
The ICRC has on going WeC activities in several countries worldwide. Programme content will vary depending on context.
- As a part of the WeC team, develop a thorough understanding of the weapon contamination situation and provide ICRC management with hazards identification and risk assessments of the likely impact of weapon contamination on staff and civilians in affected areas.
- Take part in all aspects of WeC operations including risk awareness, survey, data gathering and management, planning and prioritization and EOD or CBRN task implementation.
- Ensure WeC activities facilitate and complement other aspects of ICRC programming such as relief distributions, water provision and dead body management.
- Contribute to ICRC reports providing weapon technical forensic assessments.
- Provide training, mentoring, orientation and support to national mine action structures.
- Develop good working relationships with relief and development organisations, UN agencies and local government representatives to maximise the impact of the ICRC’s work and identifying high priority areas for cooperation on WeC related activities.
- When appropriate develop and maintain close operational partnerships with National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
- Maintenance of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other guidelines for WeC related activities.
Creatively overcome challenges presented by operating in a conflict or post conflict environment.
Requirements
Education: advanced university degree (master degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with demonstrated capabilities in management, planning and implementation of training/capacity building; or a first level university degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or military experience (or relevant police experience) at the senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience.
Minimum EOD Level 2(ref: 15464:2005 CEN Workshop Agreement for EOD Competency Standards for Humanitarian Mine Action - Part 4: Competency for EOD level 2) or CBRN operational response expertise.
Instructor qualification (from an internationally recognised institution).
Skills and qualifications
Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work within a team in a multi-cultural working environment.
A demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels both internally and externally.
Strong representation, communication and negotiation skills.
Innovative, creative and proactive with an analytical and solution focused approach to work.
The ability to exercise sound judgement and make decisions with limited supervision.
Proven experience and capacity to work constructively in teams under considerable pressure.
Excellent oral and written English. In some contexts French, Spanish, Arabic or other languages may be required.
Driving licence (must cover manual transmissions – a licence for automatic transmission vehicles only is not sufficient).
Minimum length of assignment: 2 - 12 months
HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit our website www.icrc.org - only applications received via our website will be considered
