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The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. |
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Adverse aspects of field living conditions may include: | ClimateCommunication difficulties associated with language barriersCompound livingCrowded conditionsDifficulties associated with cultural differencesDifficulties associated with the reality of poverty in the community Exposure to stressful situations (e.g. human and animal distress and death, and destruction of property)Government or internal organisation bureaucracy challengesIsolationLack of availability of dietary preference (e.g. vegetarian workers in pastoral community may need to eat meat as their main diet)Lack of communication infrastructure (e.g. telephone and internet)Lack of control over dietary practices and intake, including frequency or variety in food Lack of personal securityLack of privacyLack of recreational opportunities or free timeLack of security of belongingsLimited access to safe transportLong working hoursPoor access to fresh and/or hot water, including opportunities to bathe or wash clothingPoor communications infrastructure resulting in lack of contact with support networksPoor general infrastructure (e.g. roads, electricity and fuel)Poor standard of accommodationPossible personal injury through disease or violence |
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Take action to prevent or minimise various risks may include: | Actions and strategies required or recommended by specific organisation, program and/or community contacts |
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General health risks within the field environment may include: | CholeraDehydrationDengue feverHeat strokeHepatitisHIV/AIDS and other sexually transmissible diseases (STDs)Lack of sleepMalariaOther diseases or conditions that may pose a health risk at a specific time in a specific locationPoor food and water quality |
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Field environment may include: | Conditions which are encountered while living and working in a development and/or humanitarian assistance context, which may be:away from a permanent baserelatively permanent for those working in a development context for years at a time Field conditions vary depending upon the infrastructure availableIn some cases, field conditions may be relatively comfortable, but field conditions to which this unit refers commonly involve adverse conditionsThe most severe sets of field conditions are likely to occur during complex humanitarian emergencies (CHE), which:is characterised by large-scale deterioration in the economic, political and/or social spheresmay be the direct result of serious problems in only one sphere, but most often is the result of a combination of factors working together to create problems in more than one areamay be caused by major natural or man-made disasters and usually affect a population of more than 50,000 peoplemay be slow or sudden in their onsetmay be declared when two of the following pre-conditions exist:large scale displacement of populationbreakdown in economic systembreakdown in civil orderfamine preconditions |
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Inappropriate use of drug and alcohol may include: | Any use of drugs or alcohol in certain cultural and legal circumstancesDrunkennessAlcoholismOperating in work role while under the influence of drugs or alcoholUse of stimulants to extend working hours or energy levelsUse of drugs or alcohol as a field environment coping mechanismIn some cultural circumstances, consumption of alcohol or other drugs such as kava or betel-nut may be a major aspect of social interaction, and abstinence from alcohol may reflect negatively on the individual, the organisation and staff |
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Risks associated with inappropriate use of drug and alcohol may include: | Cultural offenceProhibition of alcohol within certain countriesSeverity of sentencing laws in relation to drug and alcohol offences in certain countriesBreach of contract of employment and lack of organisation's legal liability protectionDamage to own physical healthInability to operate effectively while influenced by drugs or alcoholDamage to own reputation and freedom to operateDamage to organisation's reputation and freedom to operate |
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Unsafe and inappropriate sexual activity may include: | Unprotected sexSex with target group e.g. refugeesSex with co-workers |
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Risks associated with unsafe or inappropriate sexual activity may include: | Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea and syphilis)PregnancyCultural offenceLegal sanctionsDamage to own reputation and freedom to operateDamage to organisation's reputation and freedom to operate |
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Healthy dietary practices may include: | Eating regularly and attempting to achieve a balanced dietMaintaining adequate level of calorie intakeMaximising variety of food eatenMaximising intake of fresh fruits and vegetables |
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Healthy exercise practices refer to: | Physical activities that help maintain fitness, build endurance, strengthen and maintain tone of muscles for example, stretching, walking, running and swimming |
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Personal psychological needs refer to: | Those particular needs which are characteristic of the individualThey will vary from person to person, but each individual should be able to describe their own key needs, which might include:daily time alonesocial interaction with othersopportunity to laughmaintaining a routinemaintaining regular contact with personal support network, such as:familyfriendswork colleaguesreligious organisationsporting or common interest groups |
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Expressions of grief may include: | Anger Anxiety Change in worldview Chronic sorrowConfusion Depression Despair Drop in self-esteem Fear of going mad Feeling unable to cope Guilt and remorse Helplessness Hopelessness Loneliness Questioning of values and beliefs Relief Shock and disbeliefSuicidal ideation |
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Personal security risks may include risk of: | AssaultMuggingKidnap or being held hostageLandminesBombsVehicle accidentsIssues that may lead to evacuations - including threat of fire, volcano, flood, earthquake, war and civil unrest |
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Appropriate action to handle situations of risk may include: | Building rapportDefusing risky situationsEvasive actionDisarming techniquesMaintaining appropriate physiology |
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Signs of stress may include: | Physical symptoms such as:gastrointestinal:dry mouthimpression of having one's heart in one's mouthnauseavomitingsensation of bloatingheartburnabdominal painappetite changesdiarrhoeaconstipationcardiovascular:elevated blood pressurerapid heart beathot flushescold hands and feetsweatingrespiratory:breathlessnesspantingsensation of not being able to breathemusculoskeletal:crampsback paintremblingnervous ticksgrimacingneurological - headachecontinued ... |
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Signs of stress may include (contd): | Psychological symptoms such as:emotional:anxietyanguishbehavioural:sleep problemsabuse of cigarettes, alcohol or drugsmodification of one's libidointellectual:concentration difficultiesmemory difficultiesproblems with reasoning and verbal expression [Source: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies, 2nd Ed. p. 321)]Signs of acute stress may include:paranoiadepressionemotional numbinghyperactivityexaggerated humourpoor anger managementmood swingspronounced memory difficultiesinappropriate risk takinginability to undertake routine duties |
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Traumatic stress: | Is brought on by critical incidents, especially those which are unexpected and emotionally powerfulResponses to traumatic stress are similar to those above for stress, but may be more pronounced (e.g. vomiting instead of nausea) |
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Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): | Is a clinical diagnosis which should be made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatristSigns of PTSD include:invasive memories (flashback), nightmares and sleep disturbancerepeated reliving of the eventdetachmentavoidance of trigger persons or situationshyper-arousalanxietydepressiongriefangersuicidal thoughtsreactions intensifying over timeclear alteration of personalitywithdrawal from otherscontinued rumination about the eventconstant expectation of a new disasterpersistent sleep difficultiesphobia formationreactions continuing for 3 - 4 weeks [Source UNHCR Handbook for emergencies, symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version Four (DSM-IV)] |
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Appropriate action to prevent or minimise harmful stress may include: | Understanding that:reactions to stress are normalresponses to critical incidents are sometimes delayedcumulative (or chronic) stress builds up over timethose experiencing stress are not the best judges of their own ability to copeGathering information on local conditions (language, culture) prior to arrivalGetting enough sleepEating regularlyControlling intake of alcohol, tobacco, medicines and/or drugsTaking time for rest and relaxation and for physical exercise (20 minutes per day)Giving expression to stress through: conversationcounsellingdiary-keepingartistic expressionCritical incident defusing or debriefing sessions |
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Critical incidents in the field may include but are not limited to: | Being a powerless witness of violenceBeing a victim of violence, sexual assault and/or bullyingDeath or injury of a colleagueDeaths of childrenHostage takingPersonal injurySeeing or being associated with a tragic event accompanied by intense media coverage (especially if media coverage is inaccurate or misleading)Undergoing great personal risk |
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Organisation support systems and personnel may include: | Work colleague networksCommunication with personal support networks from the fieldRegular mail from homeRegular news and information from home (e.g. newspapers and magazines)Human resources staffReligious leaders and/or lay workersRegular 'Rest and Recreation' opportunitiesDebriefing after every field placementAccess to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for rape treatment, if not provided by own agency, then link with the nearest United Nation office. See detail at: http://unworkplace.unaids.org/UNAIDS/basics/post-exposure-treatment.shtml |
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