DELEGATE PROFILE

Water & Habitat Engineer (ICRC)

CONTEXT
Australian Red Cross supports the operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through the
recruitment and deployment of skilled humanitarian personnel into environments of armed conflict. It is the mandate of
the ICRC to respond to the humanitarian needs of people made vulnerable by conflict.

PROFILE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVE

The ICRC Water and Habitat (WatHab) Engineer is engaged to support beneficiaries living in contexts affected by
conflict, to access safe water and shelter. While some WatHab engineers will have responsibility for supporting both
water and shelter projects, most will lead on one of these technical disciplines. WatHab engineers are responsible for
the planning, design and implementation of infrastructure projects for either temporary or long-term benefit.

All Water & Habitat Engineers need to be able to operate effectively in what can be a frenetic and ambiguous
environment which is often remote and resource poor and within a multi-cultural team. Standard deployments are
twelve months in duration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Undertaking technical needs assessments, surveying water and/or shelter conditions and determining
temporary or long-term solution;
Managing culturally appropriate processes of engagement and consultation with community beneficiaries, local
authorities and firms regarding project design and implementation;
Collaborate fully and proactively with internal and external counterparts, assisting and supporting them for
optimal day-to-day organisation of the water and construction projects;
Procure supplies as required and ensure the appropriate use and maintenance of the equipment; and
Supervise, train and mentor local staff where possible

KEY KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications and experience
Professional experience in international development or emergency contexts and/or remote indigenous
communities;
Relevant tertiary qualifications in engineering - civil or structural or hydrology or architecture. Additional studies
in Public or Environmental Health will also be viewed favorably.
Familiarity with relevant technical standards and guidelines for humanitarian response, in particular SPHERE, as well
as awareness of appropriate local hygiene and/or construction technologies and materials;
Proven experience in generalist management including budget management, human resources, training, contract
negotiation and change management;
Proficient computer skills competency in the use of relevant industry software applications;
Significant experience in supervision, training and leading others;
Minimum three years post-qualification professional experience in either water engineering or construction
management. Specific experience in one or both of these technical areas must include the relevant activities
below (water engineering OR construction management OR both):
Water Engineering:
Proven experience in the design and implementation of water projects including vector control, plumbing, solid
and liquid waste management. Experience is also required in program management and coordination,
assessment and design and implementation of water projects;
Ability to assess and develop safe water and appropriate sanitation options; and
Experience in the application of hygiene promotion methodologies.
DELEGATE PROFILE
Water & Habitat Engineer (ICRC)

Shelter / Construction Management

Experience in planning and implementing temporary, transitional and permanent shelter projects in
response to emergency or natural disasters;
Designing accommodation or community facilities to meet specific community or cultural requirements
needs, utilising local materials and labour;
Procuring services and managing local architectural & building contractors;

Knowledge and behavioural requirements

Ability to work within the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross, in a demanding and politically sensitive
environment;
Excellent organisational skills, able to prioritise a complex workload and to work autonomously as needed;
Excellent communication skills with the ability to modify communication style to suit diverse cross-cultural
audiences;
The ability and a willingness to work in potentially insecure, resource poor, and remote environments;
Strong capacity to manage a high workload and make appropriate decisions under pressure;
Strong capacity to work effectively within multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams; and
Personal resilience with the capacity to practice a high level of self care and discipline, and to support colleagues
where required.