Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist / WEC Delegate

Are you a serving or former military/police EOD-qualified professional? We need you to ensure the safety of the area before our colleagues can come and assist the population!

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and 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 their International Federation 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 is regularly faced with challenges related to weapon contamination. Such contamination can be of a conventional or a non-conventional type (CBRN)) and include unexploded or abandoned ordnance, landmines, and weaponized or industrial toxic agents. To cover these field needs (any Delegation worldwide), the ICRC recruits the best Talent to join the WEC Delegate / EOD Specialist pool of professionals.
 

The ICRC WeC services (Weapon Contamination) are focused on four strategic areas:

• Assist in managing risks posed by weapon-related hazards to own staff and partners as a part of the organization's duty of care processes.
• Assist in maintaining the organization's integrity by securing the continuation of key operations in situations where weapons or weapons systems pose a risk.
• Assist in protecting the vulnerable in situations of armed conflict (e.g., risk education, risk management, or contributing to a more robust Conduct of Hostilities reporting).
• Support the development of the National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in implementing weapon contamination activities.
 
The WeC - EOD Specialist works under the administrative authority of the Head of Delegation of the duty station where the coordinator is based or the WeC Coordinator when applicable. Their task is creatively overcoming challenges presented by operating in a conflict or post-conflict environment.

Main activities

• In the country of deployment, ensure that weapon contamination-related needs are effectively understood by the management team and accurately relayed to the Regional Weapon Contamination Manager.
• Ensure that the necessary resources are availed to implement EOD-related activities.
• Ensure that the ICRC, Red Cross, and Red Crescent Movement remain engaged with relevant national bodies, processes, and activities.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the weapon contamination situation in their area of responsibility and provide ICRC management with hazard identification and risk assessments of the likely impact of weapon contamination on staff, operations, and civilians in affected areas.
• Develop and maintain Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other guidelines for ICRC EOD-related activities.
• Lead all aspects of ICRC EOD operations, including survey, data management, planning, prioritization, and task implementation.
• Provide ICRC reports to authorities by providing post-strike weapon technical forensic assessments of specific locations.
• In close collaboration with the WeC Coordinator, when applicable, some tasks include:

-provide training, mentoring, orientation, and support to ICRC and Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement staff and national mine action structures.

-promote understanding and implementation of the Movement Strategy and the Preventive Mine Action Operations Framework.

-maintain and promote institutional engagement with external national networks and engage with these networks as appropriate.

-provide lessons learned from programs to further develop and improve weapon contamination operational policy at the institutional level.

-in coordination with the WeC Coordinator, when applicable, ensure WeC activities are implemented in a transversal manner in coordination with the different internal partners and facilitate and complement other aspects of ICRC emergency programming such as relief distributions, water provision, and dead body management.

-develop good working relationships with partners in the area of responsibility (i.e., relief and development organizations, UN agencies, and local government representatives) to maximize the impact of the ICRC’s work and to identify high-priority areas for cooperation on WeC-related activities.

Desired profile and skills

• Minimum EOD Level 3 qualification from an internationally recognized military or police training establishment.
• Education:

-advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with demonstrated capabilities in management, planning, and implementation of training/capacity building.

-or a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

-or military experience (possibly relevant police experience) at the senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Instructor qualification from an internationally recognized institution.
• Excellent oral and written English. Any additional languages recognized by the ICRC (French, Russian, Spanish, or Arabic) would be an asset.
• Basic training and CBRN reconnaissance level.
• Excellent diplomatic skills, including proven experience and capacity to work constructively in teams under considerable pressure.
• A proven track record of establishing effective working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple activities.
• Experienced and successful manager.
• Strong representation and communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals.
• Candidate should possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).
• Candidate is prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e., no spouse, partner, children, or dependents) for at least the first six months up to 24 months.
• Candidates must be ready to undergo a medical check-up before departure to the field.

What we offer

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

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

Deadline for applications: 1st of May 2023