Assignment Description Information Contained in This Assignment Description Is Subject to Change, As Host Organisations’ Needs Evolve
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Assignment description Information contained in this Assignment Description is subject to change, as host organisations’ needs evolve. Australian Red Cross will work closely with host organisations and volunteers to ensure that key outcomes of roles are updated as regularly as possible. 1. General details Position title Climate Change & Disaster Management Officer Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Name of host organisation Pasacao campus Country Philippines Location Sta. Rosa del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur Duration 9 months Proposed start date October 2012 Assignment Reference Code PH36 This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program, an Australian Government, AusAID initiative. For more information visit www.ausaid.gov.au/volunteer . 2. Overview of organisation & assignment The Central Bicol University of Agriculture has an extension campus in Pasacao, which focuses on veterinary, agricultural and biology related disciplines as well as education degrees. It is headed by a campus chairman under the direct supervision of the Dean of the Institute of Development Education. At present, the campus has a total of 16 faculty members, three casual employees performing clerical and related functions and 16 on-the-job trainees performing different functions, six security guards, two drivers for two government vehicles, one mechanic, two utility electricians, one carpenter and four farm workers. Overview of the program: CBSUA Pasacao Extension Campus is commencing a disaster preparedness program that will provide technical education and training to communities and students. Part of this program is to conduct research and assessment of the hazard areas of the town of Pasacao. Overview of the assignment: The AVID volunteer will provide technical assistance on climate change impact, adaptation and mitigation strategies and in reducing the risks that the community faces through natural disasters. The assignment will involve working with counterparts to research and assess the area of Pasacao and develop training programs that can be delivered to students as well as community members. Simulation exercises may also be developed to help train stakeholders on how to respond to a disaster, including evacuation and initial response measures. 1 3. Expected outcomes and key relationships The key expected outcomes are: • Increased awareness levels within the school (university) and the community on disaster risks related to climate change • Enhanced skills within the school and community to prepare for and respond to disasters and/or to implement climate change mitigation strategies • Disaster risk reduction and climate change education and strategies institutionalised in the community and school Capacity building outcomes: • Improved staff skills in designing and delivering strategies to increase public awareness of climate change impacts and disaster risk reduction strategies • Increased community awareness of climate change impacts and disaster risk reduction strategies • Improved capacity of school staff, students and community to sustainably mainstream climate change and disaster education within their communities Volunteer’s supervisor Campus Administrator Counterpart / other staff Designated Chairman of Research Extension, Production, and Entrepreneurial Development Affairs (REPEDA) 4. Volunteer requirements Essential Personal attributes • Self-awareness and cross-cultural sensitivity • Commitment to sharing knowledge and skills • Flexibility and adaptability • Resilience and ability to manage stress • Patience and willing to work with others at their own pace • Physically fit to travel to remote or rural areas Skills or experience relevant to • Experience working on climate change adaptation and/or assignment education • Experience in community-based disaster preparedness Qualifications • Tertiary qualifications in environmental science, natural resources management, disaster management or related field OR equivalent experience Language skills and level required Any further attributes, experience, skills • Experience developing and delivering training for or qualifications that are desirable community members and students • Experience or training in disaster management/ emergency responses 5. Location and facilities CBSUA Pasacao is located in a rural area, 27.3 km away from Naga City. The place has a suburban atmosphere. Pasacao is located on a bay and has some resorts that attract mostly domestic tourists. There are some beautiful beaches in the area. The school is the only college that offers a degree course in the area. CBSUA Pasacao is a small school with poor facilities but improving through the efforts of diligent, hardworking and even-handed campus staff. It is located 100 metres away from the main road and slightly isolated from the business centre of Pasacao 2 proper. The school has computers, landline, printers and an internet through LAN services, a library, an administration office and a new concrete building constructed for the Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) students. The volunteer will be provided a table and chair in a room equipped with an electric fan and other simple amenities and some office supplies, just enough for the volunteer to carry out the task. The workplace is also staffed with friendly personnel. Camarines Sur is a province in the Bicol region, one of the disaster prone areas in the Philippines. The region experiences persistent typhoon risks because of its location. 6. Support mechanisms • Quarterly review with the In-Country Manager • Will be invited to attend team meetings with office staff • Will function as a part of the faculty of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA Pasacao extension campus) 7. Local culture and language General advice for the Philippines • Filipinos have a reputation for tolerance. However, visitors should be sensitive to their often highly developed sense of personal pride and honour and seek to avoid giving offence. • Small and obviously unintentional transgressions will usually be ignored, but any gratuitous or personal insult may lead to a serious confrontation. • The best way to behave at both business meetings and at street level is with good humour, courtesy and a willingness to smile, and by generally demonstrating a calm and relaxed attitude. • Pointing is considered rude. People often indicate objects or directions with a glance or a pursing of their lips. • Avoid staring and standing with your hands on your hips, because both may be interpreted as an aggressive challenge. • When invited to a Filipino home, bringing flowers, candy or chocolates is a welcome gesture. A thank-you note or small gift should be sent afterwards as well. • Ancient tradition dictates that extra food from a dinner party should be offered to guests to bring home. • Be aware that Filipinos smile constantly, and may smile or laugh at times that Westerners find inappropriate. Smiles hide embarrassment and discord. • Punctuality for business appointments is important, but tardiness is expected on social occasions. Arriving 15-30 minutes late to social functions (except weddings) is expected, while arriving at the stated time is considered impolite. • There is little anti-foreign sentiment, despite the country's ambiguous attitude towards its colonial past and relations with the US and Europe. Nevertheless, nationalist sentiment remains, and visitors should be careful to respect local sensitivities over their country's history and actions. Main language(s) spoken in the community Bicol-Naga Main language(s) spoken in the workplace Bicol-Naga, Tagalog and English 8. Health and safety For further information, please refer to www.smarttraveller.gov.au 9. Child protection 3 Australian Red Cross is a child-safe organisation and is committed to the prevention of abuse and neglect of children and young people. As part of the recruitment process, all candidates will be screened and assessed for suitability to work with children. Volunteers must make themselves aware of Section 7.9 of the Australian Volunteer program Code of Conduct and associated policies and documents. 4 .