Applying for Humanitarian Deployments
Applying for deployment to a humanitarian operation entails two steps: The first step is applying to join the ZIF Expert Pool as a humanitarian expert. Please note that you must be a German national to apply. The second step is applying for a specific position in a humanitarian operation.
We are currently accepting applications for the following profiles:
Information Management Officer
CASH AND VOUCHER ASSISTANCE (CVA) EXPERT
SHELTER CLUSTER COORDINATION OFFICER
CAMP COORDINATION AND CAMP MANAGEMENT OFFICER
CAMP COORDINATION AND CAMP MANAGEMENT CLUSTER COORDINATION OFFICER
Who We Are Looking For
To be successful, an application for deployment in humanitarian operations must meet the following requirements:
- German citizenship;
- University degree or relevant occupational training;
- Several years of relevant professional experience in a humanitarian setting (or comparable);
- Experience in crisis or conflict areas desirable;
- Excellent oral and written English language skills (C1 level and above);
- Further language skills at level B2 and above desirable (especially French, Spanish and Arabic – in some cases level B1 may be acceptable for Arabic language skills);
- Physical and mental fitness for travel to tropical areas;
- Availability for a deployment for at least six months;
Twelve main profiles are open for application through our website. A profile closed for application means that there are already enough experts in the ZIF Expert Pool with that particular profile or that our UN partners are not currently seeking personnel with that specific profile.
Applications for the profile WASH have already been closed.
Applications for the profiles Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Shelter and Site Planning, Cash and Voucher Assistance and Information Management are currently open.
ZIF works closely with OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and WFP, the World Food Programme, to deploy qualified standby personnel to humanitarian operations. Agreements with other humanitarian UN partners are being completed.
The Pathway to Deployment
Applying
You must be a member of the ZIF Expert Pool to apply for deployment. Members of the ZIF Expert Pool are expected to actively apply for positions and be available for deployment in a humanitarian operation within the first two years.
ZIF Expert Pool
The ZIF Expert Pool contains pre-screened experts for peace operations, humanitarian deployments and election observation missions, each with their own application procedure.
Step 1: Applying to Join the ZIF Expert Pool
All applicants must undergo the following admission and preparation process:
Online Application
Please check which profiles and which qualifications we are looking for.
Application Screening
ZIF screens application documents and contacts suitable candidates to assess their availability and answer questions.
Competency-based Interview and Reference Checks
Interview is conducted by a panel to assess your qualifications based on specific competencies, references are checked.
Online Training
The following free online courses are compulsory prior to deployment:
- UNDSS BSAFE;
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel;
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel - Working Harmoniously.
ZIF also recommends Building a Better Response.
Humanitarian Induction Training
Is organised by ZIF and participation in the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is facilitated.
Access to the ZIF Expert Pool for Humanitarian Deployments
After successfully completing the application process, you become a member of the ZIF Expert Pool. You can now apply for deployment with one of our humanitarian partner organisations.
Step 2: Applying for Positions in Humanitarian Operations
Rapid response is essential in humanitarian crises. Ideally, not more than three weeks should pass between a UN partner organisation requesting personnel and their actual deployment to the humanitarian operation.
An Overview of the Process
- A UN partner sends ZIF the request for standby personnel;
- ZIF informs humanitarian experts in the ZIF Expert Pool;
- ZIF reviews applications within 72 hours;
- ZIF nominates pool members with relevant skills;
- The partner organisation interviews suitable candidates;
- If selected, experts prepare and deploy within two weeks.
What We Offer
For the duration of deployment with a UN partner organisation, experts enter into an employment contract with ZIF, which includes benefits in accordance with German labour laws.
Contact
Fabian Metze
Antonia Lampe-Traupe
Anita Nuke
Sarah Schrödelsecker
Rasmus Stern
On Your Way to a Humanitarian Operation
If you apply for admission to the ZIF Expert Pool and have relevant humanitarian expertise, you can deploy with ZIF to a UN partner organisation. We offer
- Professional pre-deployment preparation,
- Comprehensive support before, during and after deployment, and
- An employment contract in accordance with German labour laws for the duration of your deployment with a UN partner organisation.