What's the context and purpose of the role?

RDRRAC has been implementing disaster-related activities to displaced families and communities in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur since 2000. While RDRRAC takes on the challenge of leading the operation of the Disaster Management Team (DMT) in Lanao del Norte in pursuing disaster management work in the province, it has to strengthen its capacity. You'll use your knowledge of disaster management to improve its' organisational capacity and allow develop of systematic response tools, which will benefit the operation of the DMT in Lanao del Norte area.

What does the role involve?

• Map geo-physical risks of Lanao del Norte and identify mitigating factors.
• Design appropriate technologies to address risks in Lanao del Norte.
• Identify local and national laws relevant to emergency response and disaster management.
• Assist RDRRAC and the DMT to strengthening coordination at the provincial and municipal levels for developing a systematic emergency response and disaster management.
• Promote disaster preparedness through information dissemination and educational campaigns.
• Develop disaster preparedness and emergency response programmes within the areas of operation.
• Develop training modules appropriate to the needs of officials, leaders of the community and peoples' organisations.

What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role?

You'll need a degree in a related field to disaster management (geo-physics, conflict resolution, environmental studies) paired with experience of disaster management or has contributed to relief or humanitarian crisis management services. You'll need some theoretical understanding of disaster management frameworks and tools, as well as practical experience. Any experience of working in the area would be desirable. Any experience of training, presenting or facilitation will be helpful to you in the role, as would good communications and negotiation/networking skills.

And the rest…

Iligan City has a rural rather than an urban ambience, with a hot and a bit humid summer in April and May and a dry season. The city used to be called the industrial centre of Mindanao and due to the dependency on Iligan's Maria Christina Falls and Agus River, which generate 6 hydro electric power plants, there are a number of multinational corporations, nut still fairly high unemployment from technology advancements in the factories in recent years. Mindanao is one of the richest regions of the Philippines in terms of natural resources. The soil is fertile and the climate favours agricultural production, supporting crops such as rice, corn, coconuts, bananas, rubber and pineapples. Access to facilities is good in Iligan City. Nightlife is limited but there are plenty of restaurants with good food (Filipino, Chinese, European). Current volunteers spend their free time bowling, singing at karaoke, going to nearby beaches at weekends or getting together for meals or movies.

We'll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local salary, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends. www.vso.org.uk/volunteering

To apply please go to http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteering/stepthree/ and complete our online application form or call us on 0208 780 7500 to request a paper application form.