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

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 off-site 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 sector specific manuals)

relevant documents (such as staff assessments, memos, leave records and performance reviews)

relevant equipment (such as vehicles, office equipment and communications equipment)

managers, co-workers and other staff

Method of assessment may include:

Assessment needs to take into consideration the practical difficulties associated with attempting on-job assessment in the field

Given the nature of this unit, candidates should be expected to present evidence from within a real field environment

If this is not possible, demonstration of some performance criteria in this unit may be achieved through observing the behaviour and responses of the candidate under a stressful situation similar to those likely to be encountered in the field

While it is unethical and inappropriate to place a candidate in real danger, a life-like simulation may provide the best opportunity to observe 'near-real' responses

The use of third party and self-reflective evidence for assessing this unit is preferred

Underpinning knowledge may be assessed through:

written assignments

project reports

debriefings

action learning projects

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

Completed Security and Safety training (e.g. Red-R "Personal Security and Communication" training: http://www.redr.org.au/training/training-courses/61-personal-security-a-communications)

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:

General context of relief and development environment

Relevant organisation and/or project/program structure, including formal lines of reporting and responsibility

Some knowledge of organisation internal politics and informal influence or power relationships

Broad knowledge of the effects of drugs and alcohol

Basic dietary and nutritional information

Basic psychological principles

Organisation and/or other available support systems and personnel

Emergency management concepts, principles and guidelines

Problem solving and decision making techniques

Sectoral requirements

Relevant policies, procedures and guidelines relating to issues such as:

staff support

employment terms and conditions

risk management

staff and asset security

benchmarks in related areas (e.g. post placement debriefing)

cross cultural awareness and sensitivity

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Effectively maintain personal and psychological health by adjusting to field living conditions, doing healthy dietary and exercise practices and reducing risks associated with drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, security and stress

Recognise and appropriately handle adverse aspects of field living conditions including traumatic or harmful stress and situations of personal security risk

Effectively communicate with and work safely with others in the work area, and access organisation support systems when necessary

Comply with relevant organisation policies, procedures and requirements on occupational health and safety (OHS), staff welfare, security and related issues

Access and address available advice (e.g. from relevant government department) on risk levels

Register (if appropriate) through embassy/high commission to support personal safety

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:

Use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

Work as part of a team environment to complete tasks

Identify and clearly define problems and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Initiate new ideas or work methodologies

Accurately plan and organise work activities

Efficiently manage own responsibilities and timelines for completion of work

Apply thinking, problem solving and conceptual techniques

Demonstrate personal management, including initiative, self motivation and direction

Use emotional and psychological state control

Undertake self observation and reflection

Demonstrate awareness of team members' physical, emotional and psychological state

Work with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Communicate effectively with a range of different audiences

Use communications equipment, including telephone, radio, satellite phone, fax and email

Identify and communicate effectively with stakeholders

Analyse, evaluate and prioritise risks

Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to deal with ambiguous situations

Select and use appropriate technology

Use language, literacy and numeracy skills such as those required to:

collect, analyse and organise data

communicate in spoken and written form with a range of audiences

adjust spoken and written language to suit audience

prepare or customise materials

calculate and estimate times, costs and quantities

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.

Adverse aspects of field living conditions may include:

Climate

Communication difficulties associated with language barriers

Compound living

Crowded conditions

Difficulties associated with cultural differences

Difficulties 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 challenges

Isolation

Lack 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 security

Lack of privacy

Lack of recreational opportunities or free time

Lack of security of belongings

Limited access to safe transport

Long working hours

Poor access to fresh and/or hot water, including opportunities to bathe or wash clothing

Poor communications infrastructure resulting in lack of contact with support networks

Poor general infrastructure (e.g. roads, electricity and fuel)

Poor standard of accommodation

Possible personal injury through disease or violence

Take action to prevent or minimise various risks may include:

Actions and strategies required or recommended by specific organisation, program and/or community contacts

General health risks within the field environment may include:

Cholera

Dehydration

Dengue fever

Heat stroke

Hepatitis

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmissible diseases (STDs)

Lack of sleep

Malaria

Other diseases or conditions that may pose a health risk at a specific time in a specific location

Poor food and water quality

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 base

relatively permanent for those working in a development context for years at a time

Field conditions vary depending upon the infrastructure available

In some cases, field conditions may be relatively comfortable, but field conditions to which this unit refers commonly involve adverse conditions

The 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 spheres

may 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 area

may be caused by major natural or man-made disasters and usually affect a population of more than 50,000 people

may be slow or sudden in their onset

may be declared when two of the following pre-conditions exist:

large scale displacement of population

breakdown in economic system

breakdown in civil order

famine preconditions

Inappropriate use of drug and alcohol may include:

Any use of drugs or alcohol in certain cultural and legal circumstances

Drunkenness

Alcoholism

Operating in work role while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Use of stimulants to extend working hours or energy levels

Use of drugs or alcohol as a field environment coping mechanism

In 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

Risks associated with inappropriate use of drug and alcohol may include:

Cultural offence

Prohibition of alcohol within certain countries

Severity of sentencing laws in relation to drug and alcohol offences in certain countries

Breach of contract of employment and lack of organisation's legal liability protection

Damage to own physical health

Inability to operate effectively while influenced by drugs or alcohol

Damage to own reputation and freedom to operate

Damage to organisation's reputation and freedom to operate

Unsafe and inappropriate sexual activity may include:

Unprotected sex

Sex with target group e.g. refugees

Sex with co-workers

Risks associated with unsafe or inappropriate sexual activity may include:

Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea and syphilis)

Pregnancy

Cultural offence

Legal sanctions

Damage to own reputation and freedom to operate

Damage to organisation's reputation and freedom to operate

Healthy dietary practices may include:

Eating regularly and attempting to achieve a balanced diet

Maintaining adequate level of calorie intake

Maximising variety of food eaten

Maximising intake of fresh fruits and vegetables

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

Personal psychological needs refer to:

Those particular needs which are characteristic of the individual

They will vary from person to person, but each individual should be able to describe their own key needs, which might include:

daily time alone

social interaction with others

opportunity to laugh

maintaining a routine

maintaining regular contact with personal support network, such as:

family

friends

work colleagues

religious organisation

sporting or common interest groups

Expressions of grief may include:

Anger

Anxiety

Change in worldview

Chronic sorrow

Confusion

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 disbelief

Suicidal ideation

Personal security risks may include risk of:

Assault

Mugging

Kidnap or being held hostage

Landmines

Bombs

Vehicle accidents

Issues that may lead to evacuations - including threat of fire, volcano, flood, earthquake, war and civil unrest

Appropriate action to handle situations of risk may include:

Building rapport

Defusing risky situations

Evasive action

Disarming techniques

Maintaining appropriate physiology

Signs of stress may include:

Physical symptoms such as:

gastrointestinal:

dry mouth

impression of having one's heart in one's mouth

nausea

vomiting

sensation of bloating

heartburn

abdominal pain

appetite changes

diarrhoea

constipation

cardiovascular:

elevated blood pressure

rapid heart beat

hot flushes

cold hands and feet

sweating

respiratory:

breathlessness

panting

sensation of not being able to breathe

musculoskeletal:

cramps

back pain

trembling

nervous ticks

grimacing

neurological - headache

continued ...

Signs of stress may include (contd):

Psychological symptoms such as:

emotional:

anxiety

anguish

behavioural:

sleep problems

abuse of cigarettes, alcohol or drugs

modification of one's libido

intellectual:

concentration difficulties

memory difficulties

problems 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:

paranoia

depression

emotional numbing

hyperactivity

exaggerated humour

poor anger management

mood swings

pronounced memory difficulties

inappropriate risk taking

inability to undertake routine duties

Traumatic stress:

Is brought on by critical incidents, especially those which are unexpected and emotionally powerful

Responses to traumatic stress are similar to those above for stress, but may be more pronounced (e.g. vomiting instead of nausea)

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

Is a clinical diagnosis which should be made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist

Signs of PTSD include:

invasive memories (flashback), nightmares and sleep disturbance

repeated reliving of the event

detachment

avoidance of trigger persons or situations

hyper-arousal

anxiety

depression

grief

anger

suicidal thoughts

reactions intensifying over time

clear alteration of personality

withdrawal from others

continued rumination about the event

constant expectation of a new disaster

persistent sleep difficulties

phobia formation

reactions 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)]

Appropriate action to prevent or minimise harmful stress may include:

Understanding that:

reactions to stress are normal

responses to critical incidents are sometimes delayed

cumulative (or chronic) stress builds up over time

those experiencing stress are not the best judges of their own ability to cope

Gathering information on local conditions (language, culture) prior to arrival

Getting enough sleep

Eating regularly

Controlling intake of alcohol, tobacco, medicines and/or drugs

Taking time for rest and relaxation and for physical exercise (20 minutes per day)

Giving expression to stress through:

conversation

counselling

diary-keeping

artistic expression

Critical incident defusing or debriefing sessions

Critical incidents in the field may include but are not limited to:

Being a powerless witness of violence

Being a victim of violence, sexual assault and/or bullying

Death or injury of a colleague

Deaths of children

Hostage taking

Personal injury

Seeing or being associated with a tragic event accompanied by intense media coverage (especially if media coverage is inaccurate or misleading)

Undergoing great personal risk

Organisation support systems and personnel may include:

Work colleague networks

Communication with personal support networks from the field

Regular mail from home

Regular news and information from home (e.g. newspapers and magazines)

Human resources staff

Religious leaders and/or lay workers

Regular 'Rest and Recreation' opportunities

Debriefing after every field placement

Access 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