Country: Sweden
Closing date: 05 Nov 2017
Background
In 2015, the Swedish Red Cross (SRC) adopted a new strategy that amongst other included strengthening our response capacity. This effectively means that conflicts and protracted humanitarian crises will to an even greater extent be prioritized. Swedish Red Cross will play an even more active role during disasters though, amongst other, increased field presence through delegates, enhanced involvement in response follow-up, quality assurance and dissemination and thematic specialization and innovative evolvement of our expert-competence in some particular fields, such as Water, Sanitation, Shelter and Emergency Health.
In order to achieve these objectives, we are seeking t**wo Disaster Management Advisors, Surge Capacity**. Their posting is in Stockholm, but the assignment includes time-specific assignments in international settings.
Your mission
The main purpose with the role is to provide in-country and on-site technical assistance to emergency operations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) movement. Such assignments may involve;
- being deployed into the very early onset of a response operation as a member of the Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT);
- deployed during the disaster as a member of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) or;
- in other roles within the RCRC disaster response system.
Other assignments may involve conducting follow-up missions to programming and undertaking evaluations or offer support during exit strategies. The Swedish Red Cross operates within the continuum of the Disaster Management cycle, through which assignments may also include assessment missions, programme interim missions and/or assist in designing projects for communities and RCRC National Societies to be better prepared to face disasters.
Following each assignment, you will be expected to perform administrative duties for a duration ranging from days to weeks – depending on intervention assignment carried out. Type of duties in-between international assignments may involve contributing to strengthening systems and procedures linked to disaster management and within relevant field of expertise and work in close coordination with the other Disaster Management Advisors at the International Department, and contribute to a joint work plan in your field of expertise - e.g. investigate possibilities for innovation in disaster response. It may also entail follow-up on disaster response operations in our partner countries, evaluations, provision of analysis regarding earlier assignments. The role may also entail preparation and facilitation of trainings in relevant themes.
The precise content of each activity may vary greatly, and will to a large extent be shaped by the applicants’ professional profile. The successful candidate with extensive experience within water and sanitation will for instance be expected to work more actively within that thematic field.
Who are we looking for?
You have a stable foundation of modern international disaster response working modalities based on experience, and your ability to work with both analytical work as well as implementing capacity is valuable.
You are strong in your ability to act as a fellow human being, and willing and capable to act on your own initiatives to get things done; comfortable working in international settings and in different cultural environments; capable in generating trust, and able to support and encourage your colleagues.
We highly appreciate your ability to analyse complex situations and reach logical conclusions. It is furthermore of great value that you have a strong sense of organization, and can quickly identify and define structure and connections. We further put great value to your ability to contribute to effective teamwork, and carry a natural urge to share knowledge and information with colleagues.
Important to know about the role
As a Disaster Management Advisor, Surge Capacity, you need to be flexible and adjust quickly to changes in plans. This follows the nature of the role, where you are expected to be deployed at short notice. It is therefore essential that the successful candidate organises personal as well as professional plans in a way to maximize availability.
Travelling to complex and insecure environments is part of the assignment. In between international assignments, you will be carrying out duties at the SRC Head Quarters in Stockholm.
Required Qualifications
- Higher academic education in international relations, development studies, Water and Sanitation, Engineering, Public health or related field
- A minimum of five years experience from international humanitarian settings and emergency response.
- Experience in setting up structures in Disaster Management/Disaster Risk Reduction
- Documented experience of security assessment in at least two complex emergencies and/or active conflicts
- Proficient knowledge of written and spoken English
- Swedish working permit
- International Driving License (manual transmission)
Desired Qualifications
- Experience from working for the from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- Office level of mastering Swedish
- Knowledge of languages such as Spanish, French and/or Arabic
- HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) or an equivalent security training
- Experience of working and travel in insecure contexts (conflict or complex emergencies)
Your personality and performance contribute to the creation of effective working modalities internationally. You share the values of the Red Cross. Our ambition is to increase diversity in our organization and welcome all applicants with relevant profile.
Dates and information:
Closing date is 5 November 2017. Please note that only applications made through our website will be considered.
The position is a full time permanent staff, with a six-month probation period. Duty station is at the Swedish Red Cross Headquarters in Stockholm, where we operate from an Activity Based environment. You would be a member of the Disaster Management and Policy Unit at the international department, and report to the Head of Unit. Starting date is as soon as possible.
In selecting candidates Swedish Red Cross use a competency based model and all candidates will be assessed on the above requirements.
For more information about the position, please contact:
Patrick Fox, Head of Disaster Management & Policy Unit, Swedish Red Cross, Mobile: +46 76 8484653, E-mail: patrick.fox@redcross.se
How to apply:
Please apply through our website: