Becoming a Humanitarian Aid

WorkerAstrid Kersten, PhD, MPIA, GPHR, SPHR

Mohammed Sidky, PhD, MPIA

Final Project – Proyecto Kalu MICHA

Part 1 Introduction to the FieldBecoming a Humanitarian Aid (HA)WorkerI. What does it take to be a HA Worker?II. Understanding the field of HAIII. How to become a HA worker?

• How to prepare for a career/change into the field

Agenda

Part 2 Professional Specializations

3 areas of specialization: 1. Food and food security2. Emergency education3. Water/WASH

Agenda

Is there a need for Aid Workers?

In 2008:$6.6 billion to international emergency response efforts

a 3-fold increase since 2000

210,800 humanitarian workers globally

Increase 6% year

I. Being a Humanitarian Aid Worker

According to the UN, 2014 will be challenging:

“2013 was a real test of the global humanitarian system, and there is no indication that 2014 will be any different,…It is clear that the United Nations and its partners will be needed more than ever,”… (noting) that just a little more than two weeks ago, the Organization had launched its largest ever funding appeal – nearly $13 billion – to reach millions of people with life-saving aid in 2014, with half of that sought for those affected by the deepening crisis in Syria”.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46862&Cr=humantarian&Cr1=#.UtTJv_2A1D8

Humanitarian Aid Workers (HAW)

Humanitarian Workers videoServing as a HAW can be rewarding

serve in most disadvantaged parts of worldimprove life for impoverished people

Serving as a HAW can be challenginghard work, tough negotiations, grueling travels, horrific dangers, little rest

Things to considerDesire & stamina to work in challenging and dangerous environmentsSeriously hard work & creative problem solving – no agency coddlingDangers in the job *

More things to consider: Do you need…..

EducationProfessionExperienceAgeGenderHealthWealthCreativityResource MgtStaminaIntegrity

FlexibilityDecisivenessPersonalityStress factorsAdaptabilityLanguageLocal knowledgeNetworking skillsFearlessnessAccountabilityQuick learner

Yes and No!Many factors are relevant

such as flexibility, creativity, adaptability and willingness to learn

Others are much less important the field needs men and women, people of different ages and experiences

Some may not be needed at all –Need for wealth, fearlessness and too much personality may hinder, not help

More things to consider: Do you need…..

II. Understanding the field of HAThe field of humanitarian aid is complexWe will now briefly look at the following:

Humanitarian principles Specialty areas within HAProfessionalization of the field• Guidelines• Competencies

UNICEF’s humanitarian principles

1. The humanitarian imperative 2. Neutrality3. Impartiality4. Do no/less harm5. Accountability6. Participation of affected populations, in particular women and children7. Respect for culture and custom

Specialty Areas within HA

Within the Field of Humanitarian Aid, there are many specialty areas, e.g.- By Function

AdministrationLogisticsSupport

- By Focus:Humanitarian AidSocial & Economic Development Disaster Management

Specialty Areas within HA

- By Aid Specialty Type:Food Security, Nutrition & Livelihoods Public Health Resource Water and Sanitation Temporary Shelter and Refugee Camps Humanitarian Protection Advocacy/Community Support Education in Emergencies

Professionalization of the Field

Over the past 20 years, the field has become increasingly professionalizedReflected in the development of guidelines and competency standardsA. Guidelines:

Sphere Project – Humanitarian Charter & Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response - HandbookUNHCR – UN Refugee Agency – Handbook for Emergencies

Professionalization of the Field

B. Competency DevelopmentProfessional Competency: • the capability to perform the duties of one's

profession generally, or to perform a particular professional task, with skill of acceptable quality

• Competencies provide standards for training, assessment, accountability

General competencies for HA workersCompetencies for different areas• Some are organization specific, e.g. Oxfam• Some are field wide

1. CBHA Core Humanitarian Competencies

Developed by CBHA *- 6 major areas1. Understanding of humanitarian contexts and

application of humanitarian principles2. Achieving results effectively3. Developing & maintaining collaborative relations4. Operating safely & securely in humanitarian response5. Managing self in a pressured & changing environment 6. Leadership in humanitarian response

2. People in Aid Management Framework

People in Aid * developed this 7 factor framework for competently managing aid workers:

Human Resources Strategy – people are integral part of strategic & operational plansStaff Policies and Practices - effective, fair & transparentManaging People -Good support, management and leadershipConsultation & Communication- DialogueRecruitment and Selection – diversity &capacityLearning, Training and Development – promotedHealth, Safety & Security - essential

3. ECB Good Enough Guide - Accountability

A 3rd approach is provided by the Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB)Good Enough Guide offers basic guidelines on:

how to be accountable to local people measure program impact in emergency situations

Its ‘good enough’ approach emphasizes: simple and practical solutions safe, quick, easy to implement tools

Mix of guidelines and competencies

III. Steps in the Career Process

Workers always needed –volunteers & paid

Preparation and searchSimilar to other areasYet different

4 steps: EducationWork ExperienceSpecialized trainingMapping the field

Steps in the Career Process

1. Education:Develop professional expertise in useful fields:• Engineering• Agriculture• Sanitation• Health/ medical services• Finance, human resources, computer

technology • Project management & logistics,

Foreign language competency +++International/Cross-cultural Experience

Steps in the Career Process

2. Work Experience: Helping people in need

Job Experience Work for local human services agencies, charitable organizations, special projects• Volunteer or paid• Locally• Nationally• Internationally

Steps in the Career Process3. Training in International Relief and DevelopmentMany options: Specialized Short Term courses, e.g.

ReliefWeb, RedR, Merlin , Red Cross IFRC Learning Network *

Long term training Assorted Master’s programs in HA, SED, Disaster

Management, Logistics, more Online Masters like Proyecto Kalu

Steps in the HAW Career Process

4. Map the field: a. Regions/Countries

- Issues/ News- Conditions- Requirements/Qual’s- International organizations

Steps in the HAW Career Process

4. Map the field: b. International Organizations

- IFRC / American Red Cross- CARE - VSO International- OXFAM International- International Rescue Committee- Doctors without Borders/ Doctors of the

World/ International Medical Corps- UN organizations – assorted (UNICEF,

more)- Government organizations (USAID,

Peacecorps)- Faith-based Organizations

Steps in the HAW Career Process

4. Map the field: c. Job Sites & Professional Organizations

• Devex http://www.devex.com/en/ • DevNet http://www.devnetjobs.org/• Organizational sites, e.g. Red Cross• Idealist http://www.idealist.org/• People in Aid http://www.peopleinaid.org/• See resources

d. Network• Conferences• People

Steps in the HAW Career Process

After….1. Education2. Work Experience3. Training in International Relief

& Development4. Map the Field…

Jump!

Options: 1. Red Cross

American Red Cross Local and online training Volunteer Employment

International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies – IFRC

Options: 2. Peacecorps

Volunteers serve in 75 countriesLive, learn, & work in overseas

community for 27 monthsproviding technical assistance in 6 areas:

education, youth & community development, health, business/ information/communications technology, agriculture, and environment

Provides training, living expenses, health insurance, small stipend

Some short term opportunities

Summary so far….

Part I: Becoming a humanitarian aid worker

What does it take for become a HA worker?Understanding the HA fieldBecoming a HA worker *Closing video Jimmy Cliff

Part II: A Closer LookFood and Food SecurityEmergency EducationWater

Selected ResourcesTraining

Red Cross https://classes.redcross.org/Saba/Web_wdk/Main/learning/catalog/guestBrowseForLearning.rdf

Proyecto Kalu http://www.proyectokalu.com

Organizational Placement:IFRC http://www.ifrc.org/en/

Peace corps http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn

Network siteshttp://www.idealist.org/ http://www.exploringabroad.com

Selected ResourcesJob Sites:

Devex http://www.devex.com/en/

DevNet http://www.devnetjobs.org/

People in Aid http://peopleinaid.org/

Additional Resource SitesUNHCR Manual http://www.the-ecentre.net/resources/e_library/doc/han_Em.pdf

Sphere Project http://www.sphereproject.org/

People in Aid becoming-an-aid-worker