Ward Nurse (International Humanitarian Register)

Ward Nurse  (International Humanitarian Register)

Must speak French in addition to English

Australian Red Cross is seeking skilled Ward Nurses to join our International Delegate (aid worker) Register. From the Delegate Register, Ward Nurses can be deployed internationally by the Red Cross to support operations and provide professional assistance to individuals and communities impacted by humanitarian disasters or conflicts.  Deployments typically last for six months and are salaried.

Please note that recruitment to the Delegate Register does not guarantee employment with Red Cross. It does however place the individual on standby to deploy, and enables suitable preparation and training for deployment, should the need arise.   

If you are interested in working internationally with Red Cross, we encourage you to read the below role profile which provides additional information on the requirements of this position, to consider your suitability. Please note that we are only able to consider applications from candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. 

Australian Red Cross’ International Delegate Register 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It comprises the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation) and 192 National Societies. The RCRC mandate is to protect and support populations experiencing conflicts, disasters and other vulnerabilities. 

ARC maintains an active register of highly screened and trained humanitarian workers (referred to as delegates within the Red Cross) who are deployed to international crises when local capacity is overwhelmed or where additional specialist resources are required. Deployments take place through fixed-term contracts, with delegates seconded into the operations of the ICRC or Federation. 

In all activities, Australian Red Cross’ delegates, staff, volunteers and members are guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  

Humanity • Neutrality • Impartiality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality.  

To read more on these principles, visit https://www.redcross.org.au/about/fundamental-principles/ 

Ward Nurse Position Summary 

As an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team, the Ward Nurse promotes and ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care aiming to achieve national/international standards depending on the context.

The Ward Nurse works at building capacity in nursing care and infection control in ICRC assisted or independent hospital structures with often limited resources and in challenging environments.

  Essential Requirements 

• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• Fluent spoken and written English. 

• Level B2 (CEFR standard) in French. 

• Extensive (3 years or greater) professional experience as aligned with the technical and behavioural competencies (outlined below). 

• Previous international humanitarian and/or development experience in low-income countries (non-government organisations, international organisations or charity).  

• Availability to deploy for a minimum of 6 months, and up to 12 months.

Essential Qualifications and Professional Registrations 

• University degree in General Nursing (with a course minimum of 3 years).
• Current registration with Nursing Board of Australia, through AHPRA.

Additional Essential Requirements

• Digital Literacy, including ability navigate digital devices (laptops, smartphones), analyse web-based information and work effectively with the Microsoft Office suite of applications. 

• Ability to drive a manual car. 

• Personal motivation to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities impacted by disasters or armed conflict. 

• Ability to adapt to and function effectively in challenging living conditions and potentially unstable security environments. 

• Ability to work effectively while under pressure and within multicultural teams. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

 Technical competencies 

Ward Management 

• Provides high-quality care, often in a limited resource setting, to admitted patients, following the ICRC Nursing Guidelines and international guidelines and in collaboration with other members of the nursing team

• Promotes a clean and safe patient environment and ensures that ICRC hygiene standards are regularly measured and maintained (sterilization and infection control and safety regarding the handling of sharps, fire safety, waste management, etc.)

• Ensures that national standards are maintained and ensures all staff adhere to aseptic practice and universal precautions. 

• Participates effectively in the team and medical structures preparedness & response to emergencies.
• Ensures a rational use of resources available and reordering of supplies. Ensures the appropriate use and maintenance of equipment

Stakeholder Management  

• Provides technical advice and participates in the delivery of a programme of training/coaching to local / national counterparts to measurably improve the provision of high-quality patient care and reach international standards  

• Liaises as requested with local health authorities and other health providers 

Information Management 

• Ensures all documentation meets local / national legal requirements and that statistical data is collated, using the relevant health monitoring system.  

• Ensures patient documentation is consistently filled out by international and local / national nursing staff 

Behavioural Competencies 

Cultural Awareness 

• Design solutions and plan operations that consider local cultural factors 

• Respect cultural diversity within the team 

• Adapt programs and operations in line with socio-political and cultural context, with specific focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups 

Interpersonal communications 

• Deliver accurate, clear and concise messages, orally and in writing, to inform a range of audiences 

• Actively listen to and encourage feedback from peers, communities, volunteers and other stakeholders 

• Convey complex ideas and plans based on inputs from different audiences in an engaging, appropriate and clear manner 

Judgement and Decision-making 

• Make informed, timely, balanced decisions at an individual and team level through consultation, research and consideration 

• Find solutions to problems in a resourceful and creative manner 

• Explain decisions to those who implement or are affected by them 

Motivating others 

• Provide regular formal and informal feedback and recognises contributions of others to maintain team productivity 

• Positively support others to maintain motivation by clearly articulating the purpose of the program

Personal Resilience  

• Appropriately cope with stressful situations by remaining constructive and positive under stress and remaining focused on objectives as the operation evolves 

 Integrity  

• Act in accordance with Movement principles and values.  

• Model ethical behaviour and uses the power of their position with integrity and accountability  

• Refer reports of violations onwards using appropriate channels.  

• Develop concise, consolidated reports that analyse progress, challenges and plan for follow-up action across the sectors.  

Candidate Assessment  

All candidates will be assessed based on technical and core competencies specific to this role. Candidates may be further invited to take part in a competency-based interview, assessment centre and psychological assessment. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment (PSEAH) & Child Protection 

Australian Red Cross reserves the right to conduct background checks on all candidates, including police, working with children checks, personal reference checks and other checks Australian Red Cross considers necessary. Candidates who do not pass a work with children check, or whose backgrounds checks suggest they may pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others will not be considered for this position. 

Australian Red Cross participates in the global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), and is committed to preventing sexual misconduct or child abuse by individuals moving between humanitarian organisations across the globe. Australian Red Cross is also a child safe organisation. To uphold this commitment, Australian Red Cross will share sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations upon request with other participating organisations. Additionally, as part of our recruitment process, Australian Red Cross may contact previous employers to ask about any sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations. Visit The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for more information

 Operational Constraints 

In line with the principle of neutrality, please note that staff seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cannot be deployed to any country of origin. Delegates must be in good health and agree to participate in health clearance processes prior to any assignment. 

For more information on the Ward Nurse profile, and working internationally with Australian Red Cross, contact Andree Girardau on agirardau@redcross.org.au