Role Profile
Position title: Shelter Programme Coordinator (International Humanitarian Register)
Sector: Shelter and Settlements
Duty Station: Various - International
Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term contract, based on operational needs
Availability for international deployment of 2 – 6-months
duration
Australian Red Cross International Delegate Register
The Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It comprises of 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 (delegates) who are deployed to international events when local capacity is overwhelmed or where additional specialist resources are required. Typically, these deployments take place through fixed-term contracts, with the delegate 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/
Position Summary
Candidates recruited to join the ARC delegate register as Shelter Programme Coordinators support International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) humanitarian response operations. They are expected to coordinate the Shelter and Settlements strategic planning from relief to recovery, program development and implementation. Oversee and coordinate all activities including defining and implementing Shelter and Settlements programs with particular attention to: design, specifications, safer building promotion, supervision and Housing Land and Property. With the aim that the Shelter and Settlements components ensure joint and integrated programming that builds upon community capacities, quality and accountability to beneficiaries, maximizing local capacities and livelihood opportunities whilst reducing shelter and settlement related risks and vulnerabilities. The Shelter Program Coordinator, under the direction of the operational leadership, will work in collaboration with the National Society, IFRC personnel, other Movement Partners, National and International Humanitarian Organizations, local authorities and affected communities.
Applications close 30 June 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, so we do not recommend delaying your application to the closing date.
Education and Professional Registration Requirements
Degree (dependent on type and content of qualification) or equivalent professional qualification in Structural/Civil Engineering, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management or related technical field of the building environment
Other Essential Requirements
- Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.
- Fluent spoken and written English (CEFR Standard C1 or C2).
- Level B2 (CEFR standard) in a second language (Russian, French, Arabic, Spanish) strongly preferred.
- Extensive 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).
- 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
Shelter & Settlements within a Humanitarian context
- Advocates for the adaptation to a specific context the main principles, standards and approaches in shelter and settlements. Including the complexity of programming aspects from relief to recovery.
- Designs a context specific shelter & settlement intervention through a variety of assistance options to cover short/mid/long-term needs through different implementing modalities.
- Designs the shelter & settlements programme through the involvement of communities where their preferences are integrated in all stages of the implementation through well-defined participatory processes where possible.
Shelter design, Specification, BOQ and Built Environment Regulation
- Oversees and/or develops the design (drawings, specifications, construction details, structural calculations and Bills of Quantities) for shelter assistance options together with site planning where appropriate.
- Oversees and advocates for the compliance of all design, planning and site activities with appropriate local, national and international standards, together with building regulations as required.
- Advocates for the development/improvement of national building standards (including disability inclusion, PGI-Protection, Gender and Inclusion, etc) where necessary.
Settlement planning
- Designs and implements response interventions in an urban and/or rural context through the settlement approach. Incorporating long-term solutions in settlement programming (– i.e. return, relocation, Disaster Risk Reduction) where infrastructure, community facilities and residential areas should be integrated.
- Advocates at the highest level on settlement approaches and multi-sectoral needs to Red Cross Movement, Government and other higher levels of humanitarian architecture / coordination.
Technical Supervision and Construction Management
- Develops Construction Management Quality Assurance systems for the implementation of the shelter assistance options (Quality Control of works and specifications: materials & scheduling)
- Develops, leads and coordinates plans to schedule deliverables (and its reviews as needed) and estimate costs ensuring works schedules are adhered to and performance guarantees are in place.
Behavioural Competencies
Cultural Awareness
- Design solutions and plans operations that consider local cultural factors.
- Respect cultural norms and practices within the operational context.
- Tailor programmes and operations in line with socio-political and cultural context, with specific focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.
Coordination
- Proactively engages with National Society and other relevant Movement stakeholders to share information and plans to address evolving gaps.
- Harmonises activities and information flow across agencies including humanitarian actors, government bodies and communities.
Direction Setting and Quality Programme Management
- Develops sectoral workplans across the team with clear, concrete and measurable deliverables and supports team to deliver this through optimised resources.
- Develops and coordinates sectoral plans and monitors progress of team workplans against objectives, and adjusts as operations evolve and priorities shift, and follows up if team performance does not deliver.
- Develops concise, consolidated reports that analyse progress, challenges and plan for follow-up action across the sectors
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.
Personal Resilience
- Appropriately copes with stressful situations by remaining constructive and positive under stress and stays focussed on objectives as the operation evolves.
- Recognises signs of own and team members’ stress and seeks or offers support to strengthen physical and mental well-being and resilience.
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 be health cleared before any assignment.
Applications close 30 June 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, so we do not recommend delaying your application to the closing date.
For more information on this role or working internationally with Australian Red Cross, contact Alice Fahey on
[email protected].
Red Cross strives to create a safe and inclusive culture with wellbeing at its centre. We embrace diversity and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with diverse lived experiences, abilities, genders, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations. We are a child safe organisation with zero tolerance of any harm to children. Our vision is to be trusted as the leading humanitarian organisation making a genuine difference in the lives of people and communities.
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