This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes

Organisation goals structures policies and procedures support systems and personnel

Humanitarian assistance operations

Program and project management

Project cycle and field operations

Human resource management principles

Financial procedures

Management information systems

Donor priorities and structures

Planning tools and assessment tools

Strategic planning

All legislation relevant to the organisations operation

Critical pathprogram evaluation and review technique PERT methodology

Consultative methods and processes

Performance management

Relevant organisation software

Local and international occupational health and safety OHS requirements

Emergency and development programming

High level of understanding of emergency relief administration program response program design and project writing

Strong knowledge of computer applications including word processing and spreadsheets

Early warning analysis and emergency program

Implementation of emergency relief and disaster mitigation ERDM strategies as defined by documents meetings and other gatherings

Food aid programming or logistics

International humanitarianism sphere standards and international codes of conduct

Transition management

Security assessments

Relevant organisation codes of conduct

Agency guidelines such as

Australian Agency for International Aid AusAID guidelines including Development for All Disability Strategy and Child Protection Policy

US Agency for International Development Field Operational Guide USAID FOG

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR guidelines especially on specific projects for vulnerable groups

other relevant agency guidelines

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Effectively plan organise and manage international humanitarian assistance operations develop and prepare operational and business plans and security and contingency plans

Effectively ensure staff safety security arrangements and available funding

Effectively use culturally appropriate and sensitive assessment and monitoring methods prepare and produce assessment monitoring and situation reports including findings and recommendations

Effectively communicate with work safely coordinate and build positive relationships with affected communities relief team key support units and other relevant key stakeholders and agencies

Comply with relevant organisation international and donor policies procedures and requirements

Use high level diplomacy skills for relationship building with local government multilateral organisations donors and other nongovernment organisations

Work with a reasonable level of comfort in high tension and high security risk situations

Maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts psychologically stressful environments and physical hardship conditions with limited resources

Demonstrate a high degree of negotiation and persuasion skills to seek funding commitments from donors special arrangements and concessions from local governments

Promote team building environment and transfer skills and knowledge to team

Adjust to harsh living conditions and demonstrate emotional maturity

In addition the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to

Apply skills in

people capacity building

mentoring coaching and training

using appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others and participating in a team environment to complete tasks

identifying problems and appropriate response procedures and initiating new ideas or work methodologies

accurately planning and organising work activities

efficiently managing self responsibilities and timelines for completion of work

thinking problem solving and conceptual techniques

analysis and evaluation

performance management planning and coordination

project management and report writing

working safely and encouraging a safe workplace

networking

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices safety requirements and environmental constraints

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

The circumstantial or unsolicited testimony of project participants governments or other nongovernment organisations regarding ethical behaviour should be considered as significant evidence in relation to this unit

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Access and equity considerations

All workers in development and humanitarian assistance should be aware of access equity and human rights issues in their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In particular workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues facing the people and culture in which they are working

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to the culture in which they are working

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other related units of competency is encouraged

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge other than confirmatory questions will usually be conducted in an offsite context

Resources required for assessment include access to

workplace location or simulated workplace

specifications and work instructions

policy manuals and procedure manuals international and local including humanitarian assistance operations and security manuals

relevant documents such as assessment notes response plans and reports and standards documents

relevant equipment such as office equipment and communications equipment

managers coworkers and local staff

Method of assessment

Assessment needs to take into consideration the practical difficulties associated with attempting onjob assessment in the humanitarian assistance environment

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project related conditions real or simulated and require evidence of process

Assessment should be supported by supplementary evidence from a wide range of sources preferably including evidence from one or more field situations

Humanitarian assistance team may include:

Management information systems may include:

Concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development include:

Appropriate tools may include:

Response level may include:

Stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages may include:

Resources may include:

Assessments may include:

Processes may include:

External stakeholders may include:

Project cycle may include:

Assets may include:

Key stakeholders may include: