RC Memo Template

Role Description: Emergency Response, Psychosocial Support Team Volunteer (PST)

About the British Red Cross The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.

About this role As a psychosocial support team volunteer you would need to be available to travel internationally at short notice in order to help people in need. Working in partnership with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) representatives, including medical and police teams, you will be providing much-needed practical and emotional support to individuals following an emergency or major incident.

Location Global.

Reporting to, plus department Emergency Planning & Response (EP&R) Manager, via Psychosocial Supporteam Leader and Rapid Deployment eam Leader.

Hours This service runs on a roster basis, where volunteers are expected to be on call at least two months per year (one primary and one back-up). Deployments can occur with just 6 hours’ notice, and typically last 1–2 weeks at a time.

Updated Sept 2015

ER PST Volunteer Role 1 Typical tasks include > Visiting sites of disaster on behalf of the BRC and assessing need in co-operation with the FCO RDT > members > Establishing a relationship with affected people, their relatives and friends, offering practical and emotional support that will facilitate care and/or a return to the UK > Signposting clients as necessary to relevant services within the UK, including BRC services > Communicating assessments to relevant persons in country. > Supporting emergency responses in the UK.

What we are looking for For both roles (Generalist and Specialist) candidates need to have good interpersonal, diplomacy, communication and teamwork skills. We keep the beneficiary at the heart of what we do, working to understand their needs and the difference we make. Also we are looking for someone who is:

> In good mental and physical health, and able to cope with the demands of working in disaster zones, including long working hours. > Extensively experienced in providing emotional support in the early stages following a traumatic event or bereavement * > Experienced in providing advice and guidance to the management of the psycho-social response.* > Experienced at assessing the psycho-social needs of individuals in a crisis environment* Experienced in conflict resolution. > Experienced in working with government departments and/or statutory organisations > Able to quickly establish rapport, show empathy and provide emotional support even when under pressure, maintaining client confidentiality*, > Able to demonstrate experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team* > Knowledgeable about the services offered by the British Red Cross > Able to work cross culturally and who is sensitive to diversity, with good written and spoken English* > Experienced in working overseas

Updated Sept 2015

ER PST Volunteer Role 2 > Willing to uphold the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and adhere to the Society’s Equal Opportunities Policy

Specialist role If you are applying for a specialist role you must have a professional qualification and you must have and maintain your professional registration if you wish to be noted as a specialist on the roster.

Additional Requirements For both roles you must: - be available for a minimum of two separate months on call per year. - be within a maximum of 6 hours travel time from London when on call. - be available for a minimum deployment of one week at six hours’ notice, in line with FCO requirements (maximum deployment two weeks) - be able to attend the mandatory induction training (as detailed on next page) - be willing and available to attend annual specialist mandatory training (2 days per year. March 2017) - be willing and able to provide line manager consent for your on-call months (where applicable) - be willing to obtain annual health clearance from a health professional nominated by the British Red Cross

This role requires a DBS/PVG check to the appropriate level.

What we offer > The chance to work with a variety of different people from different walks of life and make a real difference to their lives > Comprehensive training so you can represent the Red Cross with confidence > A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and to gain new ones > Reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses when on duty, in line with British Red Cross policy and FCO contract. Being a volunteer for the British Red Cross means that you can proudly say you are part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, and one of our 13 million volunteers across the world.

Please note, months on call are two separate months (not consecutive), but you could be deployed at any time during your on-call month. Therefore, you will need to ensure that

Updated Sept 2015

ER PST Volunteer Role 3 the two weeks following your on-call month are free of any commitments that you cannot cancel.

Young People and this role We value the energy and enthusiasm that young people bring to this role. To carry out full delivery of this service volunteers must be 18. However (subject to a risk assessment, safeguarding requirements and parental consent) those aged 15 – 17 can be involved in a variety of activities such as undertaking research, promoting the service, supporting service volunteers and undertaking training.

Core learning/requirements Mandatory Induction Training: To be completed before attending Induction Weekend October 2016 - Foundation training eModule (two hours online training) - Foundation Workshop (three day face to face training course) - IFRC Stay Safe Personal Security Training (three hours online training)

At the Induction Weekend you will:

Have been introduced to Line Manager and role description discussed

Have been given a H&S briefing pertinent to the site they will normally be operating from

Have been familiarised with any equipment required to carry out the Access Role

7 – 9th October 2016: PST Induction weekend (residential course)

Deadline: 14th February 2016

Interested? What to do next For more information and to submit an online application please visit www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer click on search for volunteer vacancies then search for reference XXXX.

If you have any queries, please contact Naomi Davies, Rosters & Register Assistant, at [email protected].

Updated Sept 2015

ER PST Volunteer Role 4 Renewals/assessments for continuation in role PST annual update weekend (residential course)

Updated Sept 2015

ER PST Volunteer Role 5