Am thinking of applying to be a Red Cross general delegate - does anyone have any experience of doing this?

Question

Am thinking of applying to be a Red Cross general delegate - does anyone have any experience of doing this?

Answer 1

Be able that you are inclined in working for social services especially inn far flung places being served by the Red Cross.

Answer 2

Just apply, if you have the qualifications and the will to do this, you will find a way. I am not sure anyone on here is one.

Answer 3

I assume you are referring to becoming a delegate to the

international Red Cross.

International Disaster Response, International Services Department Basic Training Course for International Delegates1

𐂃 INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE

Since 1999, International Disaster Response of the American Red Cross has provided support to people around the world by responding to large-scale, sudden-onset disasters and complex emergencies. To respond quickly and effectively, the American Red Cross has developed a network of highly-trained people who are prepared to assist with international emergency response operations. Members of this International Disaster Response (IDR) Roster ensure that the American Red Cross response around the world is of the highest quality and meets the needs of those affected by disaster.

IDR Roster members have been deployed worldwide in a variety of capacities alongside local Red Cross or Red Crescent societies as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Relief and logistics specialists have provided vital services in response to flood, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami and drought emergencies around the world, including in Uganda, Mozambique, Mexico, Peru, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Lesotho. Members of the IDR Roster have also worked with the International Federation in Kenya, Haiti, Philippines and Panama, providing information/reporting, operations coordination, in addition to finance and administration support. For further information regarding recent operations, please see the American Red Cross International Disasters Report for July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007 at http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont...

𐂃 BTC TRAINING

International Services conducts the six-day Basic Training Course for International Delegates (BTC) one to two times a year for 20-25 participants, replacing the International Response Team (IRT) training previously offered. The BTC is a prerequisite for international deployments and inclusion on the IDR Roster and is appropriate for those with technical expertise in a core function of International Disaster Response as well as relevant domestic or international field experience. The BTC is designed to provide an introduction to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) and to prepare future candidates for international disaster response missions. The course provides participants with the history and the overall context of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and introduces people to the values and Fundamental Principles of the Movement. The course aims to have participants experience the realities of working as Red Cross/Red Crescent international staff through a variety of case studies and scenarios. BTC trainings are facilitated by emergency response professionals from the American Red Cross, International Federation, and ICRC. Travel, lodging and course fees are paid by International Services.

At the conclusion of this training, participants are evaluated and may be selected for inclusion on the IDR Roster for future short-term (from one to six months)2 international deployments. Opportunities for specialized trainings, including the relief Emergency Response Unit (ERU), may be available on an annual basis to members of the IDR Roster.

For general questions regarding the IDR Roster or the BTC, please contact Greg Matthews, IDR Emergency Roster Coordinator, at [e-mail] or [phone].

1 The BTC replaces the International Response Team (IRT) training

2 Normally one month deployments are volunteer and after that a pay structure can be introduced

Page 1 of 2 International Services Basic Training Course 2008

𐂃 BTC TRAINING APPLICATION

The next BTC will be announced approximately two months prior to the course. Applications will be included in the announcement and posted on CrossNet. RedCross.org and CrossNet will be updated in the near future with more information on steps to becoming an appropriate candidate for the BTC.

𐂃 BTC APPLICANT PROFILE

Professional and technical experience level, as well as appropriate motivating factors and personal characteristics are required for members of the IDR Roster. The Personality Checklist included with the application helps potential applicants reflect on these traits. Applicants must have technical competency in an international emergency response context in one of the core functions, have field experience, be available for four-week voluntary deployments and have personal attributes appropriate for international emergency response contexts. Foreign language skills and affiliation with the Red Cross/Red Crescent are also strongly preferred.

BTC applicants must possess all of the following qualities:

1. Technical Competency (preferably in an emergency response context) In at least one of the following core functions:

𐂃 Emergency Relief

Disaster management, rapid needs assessments, beneficiary targeting, distribution planning and management, voucher programs

𐂃 Shelter

Planning and provision of shelter solutions, such as tents or locally constructed alternatives, settlement planning, public shelter management

𐂃 Logistics

Requisition, procurement, customs clearance, commodity tracking, stock control, warehousing, transportation

𐂃 Information Technology and Telecommunications

Installation of communications equipment (radios, repeaters, satellite phones, VSAT), design, installation and maintenance of network infrastructure, support for computer workstations and networks, global positioning systems (GPS).

𐂃 Finance and Administration

Computerized accounting, finance and budget management, financial reporting, property management, human resources services, administrative procedures

𐂃 Information and Reporting

Coordination and analysis of data, report preparation, writing, dissemination

2. Field Experience

𐂃 At least two years of overseas volunteer or professional service

or

𐂃 At least three national or international disaster response/emergency management deployments

3. Availability

𐂃 Available on short notice for minimum of four-week international volunteer deployments

𐂃 Available on short notice for one to six-month paid international deployments

𐂃 Available for annual training and refresher courses

4. Personal Attributes

𐂃 Function effectively in a physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding environment

𐂃 Team work, leadership, problem solving, decision making, analytical, communication and diplomatic skills

𐂃 Tolerant, flexible, resourceful, resilient, assertive and cooperative

𐂃 Culturally astute with high tolerance for diversity and able to work with international counterparts

𐂃 Commitment to Red Cross/Red Crescent policies and principles and motivated by the humanitarian imperative

Good Luck!