ICRC Weapon Contamination Medical Specialist for Emergency Operations

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent and neutral organization that works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. When working in situations of armed conflict and immediately post-conflict, the ICRC is regularly faced with challenges related to weapon contamination (WeC).
The term 'weapon contamination' is used within the Movement to refer to the risks that arise from conventional weapons as well as from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear ('CBRN') agents or hazardous materials (HAZMAT). It encompasses the risks left from past conflicts, such as landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as the risks from ongoing hostilities. It also encompasses potential future risks associated with unstable or insecure ammunition stockpiles.
Medical expertise is critical for managing risks associated with explosions and HAZMAT/CBRN exposures. We are seeking for medical doctors to build capacity in these areas for various partners, as well as provide medical support to our staff that are undertaking activities related to weapon contamination to maintain operational continuity and assist victims. This includes an operational response in areas with both conventional and/or non-conventional weapons including potential chemical contamination. Do you want to join us and put in practice your expertise to help us make a change? 

Responsibilities

Depending on the context, you would have the following responsibilities:

• Conduct classroom teaching and instructing, exercises, and moulage in accordance with the guidelines and directives set forth for standardized course packages on the effects and treatment of explosive injuries and HAZMAT/CBRN exposures.
• Contribute, as part of the WeC medical team, to the training courses (both conventional and non-conventional topics) and provide support in their implementation.
• Ensure that the ICRC approved training materials are used as official presentations in the delivery of ICRC Blast Trauma Course and CBRN course, and to that end, liaise with the Medical Advisor based in Geneva on all aspects of training.
• Provide medical expertise on the health impact (at an individual, group or community level) in case of CBRN threat.
• Deliver written briefings and recommendations relating to such ICRC operations to collaborators (Medical Advisor and CBRN Head of Sector and Head of Unit) in the effort to support continuum of updates regarding the medical documentation files.
   

Qualifications

You are medical doctor with a specialization in Anesthesia/ Resuscitation, intensive care, prehospital medicine, or emergency medicine with experience in the treatment of victims with blast injuries and knowledge of the treatment of patients with HAZMAT/CBRN exposure. 
Alternatively, you are a medical toxicologist and have both clinical and advisory experience. 
You have familiarity with curriculum design and development as well as confirmed operational experience in the subject area.  You possess an experience in teaching, with instructor certification from a recognized health civilian or military institution. You are motivated to engage in capacity building overseas in unstable security situations and low resource settings
 

Your Profile

• Medical doctor with a specialization in Anesthesia/Resuscitation, intensive care medicine, prehospital medicine or Emergency medicine with experience in care/treatment of victims from explosion and in CBRN incidents.
• Pre-hospital experience is an advantage.
• Familiarity with weapon wounded care and CBRN/ HAZMAT operations/decontamination.
• Separate to the above, we are also searching for toxicologists with experience in advising/teaching on response to HAZMAT exposures. This is for training courses and does not require pre-hospital experience or resuscitation as part of the specialization.
• 5-10 years of experience in health activities, preferably with a trauma component in situations of conflict and other emergencies.
• Minimum 6 months international experience in humanitarian and/or development in low resource settings (NGO’s, military environment, army experience).
• Official training certification in trauma care recognized internationally is required.
• Excellent command of English is a necessity.  Proficiency in another ICRC working language (French, Arabic or other languages) is a strong asset.
• Besides being adaptable, flexible and motivated to solve varied medical tasks, you should be able to work within a diverse team and under considerable pressure.
• Holder of an international driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment. 
• Opportunities for further in-house training.
• Competitive salary and attractive social benefits.

Application deadline: 5th of June 2022

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.