VETERINARIAN

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.

Role description

 The ICRC defines Economic Security as the status of an individual, household or community that is able to cover its life and livelihoods obligatory expenditures in a sustainable manner, consistent with its environment, culture and customs. Within its global Economic Security approach in conflict affected countries, the ICRC implements Relief, Livelihood and Rehabilitation Programs in order to improve, restore or maintain food and economic security at household level. To achieve this objective Economic Security uses a combination of different interventions and modalities, such as cash and voucher programs, microeconomic initiatives, agricultural and livestock programs, and relief items distributions.

The veterinary programs actually conducted by the ICRC include vaccination campaigns, veterinary treatment programs, de- (re-) stocking, fodder production / -banks, capacity building, herders' awareness training, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) training, support to existing structures and institutions. While few interventions have a marked relief connotation (e.g. de-stocking), most of them   aim at sustainable outcomes. This should be done in compliance with ICRC's guidelines and standards.

Main responsabilities

• Depending on the country and the context, she/he is the focal point for livestock related food production programs
• Direct operational responsibility for the implementation of livestock programs
• Design and propose appropriate livestock interventions, integrated into the Economic Security programs
• Communicate and network with partners and other actors involved in livestock programs
• Conduct post-intervention monitoring and impact evaluation of the livestock program / projects implemented by the ICRC delegation
• Guide and coach EcoSec team members on livestock issues
• Participate in internal/external workshops and seminars, and livestock-related forums
• Promote the principles of the Red Cross and of international humanitarian law;
• As a representative of the ICRC, maintain contact and negotiate with government authorities and other parties to the conflict – civilian and military – in order to carry out the work as effectively as possible.

Desired profile and skills

• Ideal age: 27 to 40 years;
• Degree  as Veterinary Surgeon / Doctor  
• Any of the following advanced degrees is an asset:
  • Tropical Vet Medicine
  • Tropical Animal Production
  • Epidemiology
  • Sustainable Development
  • Public Health
  • Degrees linked to food security and/or the humanitarian sector
• Sensitivity, knowledge and understanding of  pastoralism and livestock based livelihoods, including:
  • pastoralist/agro pastoralist livelihoods
  • seasonal migration patterns 
  • low-inputs livestock production systems
  • Farmers and pastoralists’ dynamics (grazing agreements, conflict between nomadic livestock keepers, land tenure issues, etc.)
• Good veterinary diagnostic skills
• Minimum 3 years field experience on animal health or production;
• Experience in emergency and / or livelihood support interventions outside the livestock programming;
• Professional experience in international humanitarian work and field missions abroad, especially in emergencies;
• Experience of work with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is an asset;
• Sound understanding of the project cycle, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Good organisational, managerial, planning, reporting skills;
• Excellent command of French and English is desired; any other language knowledge (e.g. Arabic, Spanish, Russian) is an asset;
• Fully conversant with word processing and spreadsheet software;

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work;
• Ready to work in difficult contexts and spend time in the field, or to manage programs without direct access to the affected population;
• Possessing good capacity to analyse and summarise complex situations;
• Excellent ability to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment;
• Strong capacities to recruit, manage, coach and motivate a small team of livestock specialists;
• Ability to take relevant decisions within a given framework;
• Open-minded and adaptable, empathic and diplomatic;
• Readiness and capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team involving other sectors linked to the economic security, and collaborating with Red Cross and Red Crescent movement' members.

Our operational and field constraints

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

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Generous social benefits
• Length of assignment:  12 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere