Reports to (role)

Head of Weapon Contamination

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 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.

Purpose

As the Weapon-Contamination(WeC) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Adviser, you ensure that WeC subject matter expertise and support is available to ICRC delegations and programmes. You provide assessments, analysis and guidance on all matters relating to the impact of CBRN hazards including hazardous material (HAZMAT) hazards on staff safety, operational continuity and the civilian population. And in many instances, and in particularly affected contexts where there is no ICRC presence, you need to ensure that the needs are effectively addressed by the National Red Cross Crescent Societies or local authorities. You are based within the WeC unit, in the Protection and Essential Services department at the ICRC headquarters and report to the Head of the WeC unit.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

• Provides specialist guidance and operational support to ICRC delegations and National Societies through the WeC regional managers: Implements assessment, analyses, trainings, and participates to technical field missions globally;
• Provides technical expertise and guidance to operational regions at headquarters, helping identify appropriate strategies, facilitating successful implementation of strategic objectives set out in the annual planning process, and supporting any emergency- and security-related WeC cases they put forward;
• Responsible for keeping CBRN policy, positioning, guidelines, SOPs and equipment in the ICRC up to date;
• In line with the upcoming Counsil of Delegates resolution, proactively supports, monitors and evaluates ICRC and along with IFRC the Movement CBRN operations to ensure that they are appropriate, adapted if necessary, and comply with international standards;
• Fulfil the role of Assisting WeC coordinator, assisting the WeC regional manager in respective geographical region, for two defined geographical regions where he/she operates standards for all WeC operations including for conventional weapons;
• Liaises proactively with government bodies, specialist agencies, the UN, international organizations, educational centers, NGOs and the private sector on issues related to policy, research and development, coordination and good practice on CBRN issues;
• Monitors needs related to CBRN contamination, both current and future, including planning for the impact of new conflicts and ensuring that in older contexts continuing needs are addressed through a Movement approach;
• Liaises and coordinates with victim-assistance and legal-operations experts on CBRN contamination to ensure coherence of activities and approaches;
• Provides security/safety training for ICRC and the Movement staff working in CBRN contaminated environments and develops and maintains standing operating procedures (SOPs) and other guidelines for WEC-related activities on CBRN;
• Provides technical advice to the field on CBRN related equipment;
• Manage, facilitate train and maintain WEC CBRN/HAZMAT operational response team. Maintain close relationship with our external training partners in this regard;
• Has primary responsibility for the assigned thematic area but can be allocated others when need is critical;
• Is a part of the ICRC Rapid Deployment Mechanism.

Relationships

• Internally: Interacts with the operational regions at headquarters on Weapon and Contamination issues and technical reference delegates in the field.
• Externally: Interacts with humanitarian and development organizations, UN agencies and local authorities.

Level of interlocutors: 

• Regional Director, Regional Manager/Coordinator, Head of Delegation/Head of Mission
•  Civil authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Director of Mine Action
• Authority/Military Authorities: Commanding Officer of Centre of Excellence, General Staff
• The Movement: National Society Secretary General, relevant department at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

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Certifications / Education required

• A minimum of 7 years relevant operational CBRN experience in international organization, civil defense, National Society of The RCRC movement, as first responder team/division leader or military experience on an Officer level or senior Non-Commissioned Officer level;
• Demonstrated experience in management, planning and implementation of training/capacity building;
• Experienced and successful manager of multidisciplinary teams;
• Trained in reconnaissance, management, and clearance of CBRN hazardous materials or weapons e.g. chemical weapons inspector or ammunition technical officer (ATO);
• Instructor qualification from an internationally recognized institution;
• At least 2 years of operational experience spent at the international level;
• Advanced level of written and spoken English;
• Advanced computer skills.

 
Highly recommended for this position but is not disqualifying in case of absence: 
Advanced university degree (preferably a master degree or equivalent) in CBRN response management or in a related scientific field (applied chemistry, human physiology, micro biology, applied physics related to ionizing radiation).  

Desired profile and skills

• Degree in Risk Management would be an asset;
• Fluency in English mandatory and a strong asset in another language - French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese;
• Knowledge of The RCRC movement at an international level is a decisive asset;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent writing and summarizing skills;
• Ability to communicate and represent the Organization to international audiences and to the media;
• Strong political acumen and good negotiation skills;
• Ability to work transversally.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment;
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training;
• Attractive social benefits;
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere.

Additional information

• Type of role: HQ
• Working rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: ASAP - September 2024 at the latest
• Location: Geneva (GVA)
• Hardship : H0 : family posting and full amenities
• Job level: C2 (C2)
• Length of assignment: 4 years
• Application deadline: 26/05/2024

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviours based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.