First Aid and Pre-hospital Emergency Care Delegate At International Committee of the Red Cross

Region: Global Deployment Option

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Your Role

The ICRC has made a commitment to providing high-quality health programmes, crafted to meet professional standards.

In territories affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence, the First Aid and Pre-hospital Care Delegate ensures that the wounded and sick receive safe, humane and effective emergency assistance or are promptly referred to the right place for further care. To this end, the delegate will contribute to developing the capacity of the ICRC (to act, to educate), of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and of any other local partners you work with to ensure that emergency responders are confident and skilled, act safely and in accordance with humanitarian values and principles, and are part of an emergency response system that is adapted to local needs and realities. This position is not generally a direct clinical role but will work with developing and strengthening public health and prehospital systems to allow access to high quality healthcare for people affected by conflict or other situations of violence.

This emergency care is intended for various groups, including weapon-bearers, mine-clearers, protesters, community organizations, health-care personnel, and local emergency-response organizations.

Main responsibilities

The scope varies according to context and length of the assignment.

• Develop a deep understanding of the health and emergency care system in given contexts
• Identify the support needed to improve the emergency response from the scene to the referral health structures
• Select adequate interventions to support and develop local capacity, and establish realistic project proposals in line with ICRC guidelines taking into account local realities
• Implement, supervise and evaluate activities according to set objectives, and build action plans according to needs and resources
• Ensure accurate staff management and safety and support local partners involved in the emergency response system
• Build working relationships amongst emergency response partners (State and non-State actors, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement)
• As an ambassador of the ICRC, maintain dialogue as necessary with all actors to ensure the work is carried out as securely and effectively as possible.

Education and experience required

• University degree as a Paramedic strongly favoured, however Advanced Emergency Technicians, Nurses and Doctors may be considered with extensive prehospital and ambulance experience.
• A minimum 3 to 5 years’ proven experience post degree, including 2-3 years of international humanitarian field experience
• Significant experience in Pre-hospital Emergency Care and First Aid with managerial responsibilities and a qualification and experience as a trainer
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Fluency in a second language of interest for the ICRC such as French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian highly desirable.
• Strong leadership competencies, with capacities in networking, partnership and negotiations
• Excellent analytical skills with problem-solving mentality, strategic and creative thinking
• Positive, flexible and able to work under pressure and adapt to challenging living conditions and/or unstable security environment
• An ability to contextualise his/her expertise in a pragmatic way to provide low cost, low resource solutions.**
• Previous experience within the Red Cross & Red Crescent movement is an asset

Experience of project management, especially in LMIC contexts

Our operational context

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• You are in good health and will do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• You are prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months.
• In line with our security guidelines, you must hold a manual driving license

Our offer in a nutshell

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment with an attractive salary and social benefits
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Length of assignment can vary from a few months to over 12 months depending upon operational need.

Be part of the ICRC talent pool and be contacted for future assignments globally!

Read the story of Panagiotis, our First aid and pre-hospital emergency care delegate in Somalia!