Primary Healthcare Nurse/ Health Delegate

The British Red Cross recruits delegates to second to the ICRC for their missions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. They take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. The ICRC are an independent and neutral organization, and the mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The ICRC work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with the 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. The ICRC direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

The Health Delegate (HD) serves a population in a defined geographic area in emergency and non-emergency situations.

S/he assesses, identifies and prioritises health needs for this population taking into account community resilience mechanisms and specific needs of vulnerable groups (children under five years old, women, the elderly, etc.). The HD is the interface between communities (local leaders, health staff, women’s groups etc.), internal (ICRC) and external (MoH, NGOs, UN system) stakeholders for health related issues.

The HD proposes evidence based strategies and responses based on international norms in an integrated approach developed in line with the Delegation’s priorities, including protection. S/he implements assistance response and remains flexible to adapt based on the results of the monitoring.

See the ICRC Health delegates in action

Main responsibilities

• Understand the level of functionality of health services (public and private) and their actors in the referral pathway within the hospital catchment area
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency health needs of the targeted population after assessment, strategic decision, coherent implementation and monitoring
• Identify and support the community referral system to appropriate health services and management of mortal remains
• Support or run all or part of different PHC components to adequately respond to the health needs in PHC facilities or Mobile Health Units
• Ensure a continuum of care for beneficiaries from the community (support to First Aid and TBA networks) to hospital care, from support to existing Emergency Medical Systems and safe access to hospital care
• Identify gaps in emergency hospital services and provide support with the hospital team for evaluation and involvement when needed
• Ensure regular medical supplies in respect of MedLog ordering, storing and delivering norms
• Communicate to relevant stakeholders and report internally on health context, needs, programme results and challenges
• Within the Health in Detention Framework, guarantee that detainees have access to quality care corresponding to standards outside the detention place using a public health approach, including the follow up of ill treatment.

Assignment Length – 12 months

Essential Skills & Requirements

• Nursing degree (degree course of minimum 3 years)
• Registered nurse with a valid license to practice in the country of residence
• Extensive clinical experience post diploma
• International experience at field level in different contexts
• Experience in humanitarian project management cycle
• Very good command of English and at least one other language of ICRC interest (French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian)
• Good command of computer tools
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Postgraduate Master/diploma in Public Health, Tropical Medicine
• Previous humanitarian experience in the field of Primary Health Care outside your own country
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity
• Previous ICRC experience(s) or within the Red Cross & Red Crescent movement.

ICRC operational & 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) with practice
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 month.

To apply for this position please click here

For more information on this role please contact International Recruitment Officer, Kim Goodall (kgoodall@redcross.org.uk)

As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults