new zealand red cross delegate (aid worker) programme

programme purpose

The International Red Cross Movement relies on National Societies to provide staff for its field operations. The New Zealand Red Cross is one of a small number of National Societies globally that recruits, trains and provides aid workers (delegates) for international Red Cross humanitarian field operations.

The New Zealand Red Cross aid worker programme is supported financially by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) aid programme.

recruitment

  • New Zealand Red Cross recruits aidworkers on an ongoing year-round basis.
  • We recruit specifically for current or projected  demand, and as a result some specialties may not be required in a given year.
  • Successful applicants are then required to complete the Red Cross international mobalisation and preparation for action (IMPACT) 7 day course. The dates for the next IMPACT course are 12th-19th May 2012.
what is the aid worker training programme?
  • The aidworker training course is a seven-day training program for potential aid workers that provides information on the structure and mandate of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, case studies from practical field experience, training in International Humanitarian Law, life in the field sessions, security and media training.
  • The course is residential and is held in locations around the globe including New Zealand. Associated costs including travel, meals and accommodation are covered by New Zealand Red Cross.
  • Following successful attendance at the IMPACT training course, New Zealand Red Cross aid workers are placed on a database and wait to apply for international vacancies.
  • Applicants who are successful in applying for international vacancies are seconded to work directly for New Zealand Red Cross, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • After training is completed the availability of suitable missions is dependent on demand, availability and suitability. As a result there is no guarantee of an immediate international deployment.
what is a standard mission?
  • With the exception of some emergencies, standard missions usually range from 9 to 12 months in length depending on the role and operational requirements of each mission.  Frequently extensions are offered meaning long term postings up to 2 years are sometimes available.
  • Aid workers are employed by the New Zealand Red Cross on fixed term employment agreements that cover salary, travel costs, pre-deployment and post-deployment medical, insurances and in country allowances.
  • New Zealand Red Cross does not recruit or deploy volunteers for international aid work.
  • With the exception of some long-term, senior postings that are family friendly, deployments are mostly unaccompanied in an international team environment sometimes under arduous and challenging conditions.

Click here for recent articles about our humanitarian aid workers in the field.

who are we looking for?

  • We are looking for applicants with significant experience in their technical field of expertise, incuding a minimum of 3 years professional experience
  • Previous humanitarian experience and additional language skills are desirable
  • Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents

 

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Outlined below are a range of professions and expertise we have previously recruited to:

Development specialists including:

  • Capacity building
  • Project / Programme Managers

Health Professionals including:

  • Primary health care
  • Operating theatre nurses
  • Ward nurses
  • Midwifery
  • Anaesthetists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Doctors/Surgeons

Support Services including:

  • Fundraising
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Management
  • Programme Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation
  • Communications

Technical or thematic specialists including:

  • Logisticians
  • Humanitarian disaster management professionals
  • Water/sanitation & Civil engineers
  • Reconstruction & Recovery
  • Information Technology & Telecommunications

NB Placements for training are determined according to identified currents and projected international demand, as advised by our international partners.

 

In addition to possessing relevant professional qualifications and experience, potential delegates should:

  • Be adaptable, flexible and mature in judgment
  • Possess strong communication skills, initiative, diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, and have the ability to live and work in a team, usually under arduous and sometimes dangerous conditions
  • Be in sound mental and physical health
  • Be computer-literate
  • Fully accept and apply the Red Cross Principles and be prepared to acquire an understanding of the Movement and its ideals.
  • Be available to deploy for a minimum of 6 months

some questions to consider before you apply

  • What are my true motivations for applying for aid work? 
  • How can I really make a difference?
  • How do I feel about living and working in areas of insecurity where my health and well-being may be affected? 
  • Am I able to adapt quickly and sensibly to an unknown and unfamiliar changing environment?  
  • Will I thrive in working in a diverse cultural environment and accept the challenge of adapting to different work styles and personalities?

application process

Applications are processed year round for placements on delegates training courses. If you meet the criteria above you are encouraged to submit your application now. Applicants should be aware that due to requirements and demand currently only 1 in 10 applications may be succesful.

Your application must include:

  1. A completed New Zealand Red Cross Delegates application form (see below) and current CV in the form of the New Zealand Red Cross Delegate standard format .
  2. A covering letter to support your application (indicating your motivations, how your expertise maybe applied in the field, ie what type of aid work yoiu wish to be considered for)
  3. A scanned copy of the front page of your passport and/or copy of residency status.

Due to high interest, speculatory applications or those that do not meet the above criteria will not be processed.

Download the application form and CV format.

Submit your application online

more information