Norway: Public Health Specialist and Field Epidemiologists for Emergency Response Operations

*Please note that this advertisement concerns application for training with subsequent admission to our Emergency Response Unit (ERU) roster as a Public Health Delegate and/or epidemiologist delegate. It does not concern a specific, nor permanent, position within the Norwegian Red Cross.*

An Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is designed to offer immediate assistance and is normally operational for up to four months. An ERU is composed of trained delegates who deploy with standardized equipment. The Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross) has specialized in ERUs offering immediate assistance within public health and health services, as well as psycho social support and water and sanitation.

NorCross maintains a roster of trained specialists (delegates) ready to be deployed anywhere on short notice in response to international emergencies (natural disasters, conflicts or other health emergencies). Delegates work closely with the local Red Cross National Society to provide specific services where local infrastructure is damaged, temporarily out of service, out of reach or insufficient to cope with the needs.

NorCross’ ERU delegate roster consists of persons who are able to respond to an international health emergency on short notice. Most of the delegates have a full-time job in EU/EEA/Switzerland with permission from their employer to take leave of absence if asked by NorCross to go on mission. The length of a mission is minimum 4-6 weeks and the delegate receives salary from the Red Cross while on mission.

We are looking for a wide range of experienced Public Health specialists:

• Public Health specialist

• Epidemiologists

• Infection Prevention Control specialists

Public health (PH) delegate’s, including epidemiologist and specialist within infection prevention and control, responsibilities will vary greatly from one deployment to another, due to the broad range of public health interventions that can be required in an emergency. Public Health delegates focus on assessment, program development, technical support and coordination in the areas of water borne-, vector borne- and vaccine preventable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition and field epidemiology. PH delegates are not expected/required to be specialists in all areas but will rather be selected for deployment based on the best possible match of program needs and demonstrated individual competencies.

Candidates who do not meet the requirements of EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship and 12 hours proximity to Oslo, Norway will not be considered for this position.

For further information see Job Description

Working Conditions

Difficult and demanding working conditions, due to the nature of an emergency situation and proximity to disaster and conflict areas. The following conditions are to be expected in the field:

• Very basic living standards, likely in tents during the entire mission

• Long hours of work in a demanding context with limited resources;

• Movement restriction

• Stressful rapidly changing environment with limited information to make decisions.

Prerequisitesfor all applicants:

• Norwegians, EU/EEA and Swiss citizenship or valid work permit in EU/EEA/Switzerland

• Minimum three years of work experience relevant to your profession

• Fluency in English (written and spoken). Other languages are an asset

• Driving license (class B – manual gearbox)

To be accepted onto NorCross’ ERU roster, you must complete our recruitment process (application, interview, reference checks), complete 24 hours of online training and attend the following trainings:

• IMPACT (International Mobilization and Preparation for ACTion). The course lasts one week and aims to prepare delegates for international field work with the Red Cross through theory and practical activities.

- ERU Training. The training simulates an emergency response operation with deployments of an Emergency Hospital and public heath teams working together with other sectors such as WASH in a scenario-based training. This is a pass/non-pass training, and delegates will be evaluated by experienced aid workers.

• Specific trainings. There are additional or role specific trainings, such as Red Cross Public Health in Emergencies training and Red Cross community-based surveillance training.

Once you have completed the necessary training and courses, you will be included in the ERU roster and may be contacted by NorCross when there is an ERU deployment.

Please specify your motivation, availability, relevant professional experience and experience with cross cultural cooperation and communication in your application (max 700 words).
Only applications and CVs in English will be considered.

Relevant candidates will be invited for interviews.

Please apply through our website here