the New Zealand Red Cross 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 NZ Red Cross Aidworker Programme is supported financially by NZAID.

recruitment

  • New Zealand Red Cross recruits aidworkers on an ongoing year-round basis.
  • We recruit for current or projected likely demand as a result some specialties may not be required in a given year.
  • Successful applicants are required to complete the 7 day delegate training programme IMPACT prior to obtaining any international work with the Red Cross Movement.
  • The next NZ delegate training course is scheduled to be held Sat 28th August - Friday 3rd September 2010.
  • Applications to become an aidworker close for this course on Friday 25th June 2010. Shortlisting and then interviews will take place during week of 12th July 2010 in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch.
what is the delegate training programme?
  • The delegate training course is a seven-day selection and 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 held in Wellington, New Zealand with associated costs including travel, meals and accommodation being covered by the New Zealand Red Cross.
  • Following successful attendance at the delegate training course, NZRC delegates are placed on a database and wait to apply for international vacancies.
  • Delegates that are successful in applying for international vacancies are seconded to work directly for NZ Red Cross, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) or the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • After training is completed the availability of suitable missions can vary between weeks or more usually 6 - 18 months dependant on operational demand and availability or 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.
  • Delegates are employed by the NZ Red Cross on Fixed Term Employment Agreements which cover salary, travel costs, pre deployment and post deployment medical, insurances and in country allowances.
  • NZ Red Cross does not recruit or deploy volunteers for international aid work.
  • With the exception of some long term senior postings which 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 professional experience in their field of expertise. 
  • Previous humanitarian experience and additional language skills are desirable.
  • Applicants must be NZ Citizens or permanent residents

 

Outlined below are a range of professions and expertisewe 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

Technical or thematic specialists including:

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

 NB Placements for training are determined with current or projected International demand in mind.

 

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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 Fundamental 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 an annual delegates training course.  The next opportunity for training will be in Sept 2010. If you meet the criteria above you are encouraged to submit your application now.

Your application must include:

  1. A completed NZ Red Cross Delegates application form and current CV in the form of the NZ Red Cross Delegate standard format
  2. A covering letter to support your application (indicating your motivations and expertise, 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 a copy of the application form and CV format 

Submit your application by clicking here and selecting the 'aid worker' option. 

more information