Biomedical Engineer (international humanitarian register)
Australian Red Cross is seeking skilled Biomedical Engineers to join our International Delegate (aid worker) Register. From the Delegate Register, Biomedical Engineers can be deployed internationally by the Red Cross to support operations and provide professional assistance to hospitals and communities impacted by humanitarian disasters or conflicts. Deployments typically last for six months and are salaried.
Please note that recruitment to the Delegate Register does not guarantee employment with Red Cross. It does however place the individual on standby to deploy, and enables suitable preparation and training for deployment, should the need arise.
If you are interested in working internationally with Red Cross as Biomedical Engineer, we encourage you to read the below role profile which provides additional information on the requirements of this position, to consider your suitability. Please note that we are only able to consider applications from candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
Australian Red Cross’ International Delegate Register
The Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It comprises the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation) and 192 National Societies. The RCRC mandate is to protect and support populations experiencing conflicts, disasters and other vulnerabilities.
ARC maintains an active register of highly screened and trained humanitarian workers (referred to as delegates within the Red Cross) who are deployed to international crises when local capacity is overwhelmed or where additional specialist resources are required. Deployments take place through fixed-term contracts, with delegates seconded into the operations of the ICRC or Federation.
In all activities, Australian Red Cross’ delegates, staff, volunteers and members are guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Humanity • Neutrality • Impartiality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality.
To read more on these principles, visit https://www.redcross.org.au/about/fundamental-principles/
Biomedical Engineer Position Summary
The Biomedical Engineer works as a medical equipment specialist to support relevant hospital departments in the procurement, implementation and calibration, repair and maintenance of medical equipment to assist the effective diagnosis, assessment and treatment of patients. The Biomedical Engineer also works to build sustainable capacity of relevant hospital staff in managing equipment in assisted or Red Cross independent hospital structures, often in limited resources settings and challenging security environments, with the aim of delivering high-quality patient care reaching national/international standards.

Essential Qualifications and professional registrations

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Engineering, with specialisation in biomedical and/or health science engineering.
• Current membership registration with Engineers Australia.
• Minimum 3 years’ postgraduate specialized clinical experienceinhospital equipment management, maintenance of medical equipment and teaching.

Other Essential Requirements

• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Level B2 (CEFR standard) in a second language (Russian, French, Arabic, Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Extensive (3 years or greater) professional experience as aligned with the technical and behavioural competencies (outlined below).
• Previous international humanitarian and/or development experience in low-income countries (non-government organisations, international organisations or charity).
• Digital Literacy, including ability navigate digital devices (laptops, smartphones), analyse web-based information and work effectively with the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Ability to drive a manual car.
• Personal motivation to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities impacted by disasters or armed conflict.
• Ability to adapt to and function effectively in challenging living conditions and potentially unstable security environments.
• Ability to work effectively while under pressure and within multicultural teams.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Technical competencies

Medical Equipment Management

• Assists in setting up / commissioning /renovation of hospital departments - Identifying needs for new equipment, together with the Health Team, with advice re procurement and installation
• Supports the installation and checking of the new equipment, conducts troubleshooting and undertakes complex corrective maintenance and repairs
• Implements routine cleaning schedules and appropriate storage of the equipment, ensuring respect for universal hygiene standards
• Identifies and develops a plan to address causes of early failure of medical equipment

Stakeholder Management

• Trains the national Medical Equipment Specialist (s) and provides guidance to the health facility staff, in cooperation with his/her national counterparts when applicable, including the development and implementation of a maintenance schedule
• Trains the users of the equipment
• Represents the hospital project internally and externally on all matters related to medical equipment
• Liaises as requested with local / national health authorities and other health providers

Information Management

• Develops an inventory of the Emergency and/or Operating Theatre Department equipment and of the required spare parts
• Ensures all documentation and equipment meets local / national legal requirements and that statistical data is collated, using the relevant equipment monitoring system

Behavioural Competencies

Cultural Awareness

• Design solutions and plan operations that consider local cultural factors
• Respect cultural diversity within the team
• Adapt programs and operations in line with socio-political and cultural context, with specific focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups

Interpersonal communications

• Deliver accurate, clear and concise messages, orally and in writing, to inform a range of audiences
• Actively listen to and encourage feedback from peers, communities, volunteers and other stakeholders
• Convey complex ideas and plans based on inputs from different audiences in an engaging, appropriate and clear manner

Judgement and Decision-making

• Make informed, timely, balanced decisions at an individual and team level through consultation, research and consideration
• Find solutions to problems in a resourceful and creative manner
• Explain decisions to those who implement or are affected by them

Motivating others

• Provide regular formal and informal feedback and recognises contributions of others to maintain team productivity
• Positively support others to maintain motivation by clearly articulating the purpose of the program

Personal Resilience

• Appropriately cope with stressful situations by remaining constructive and positive under stress and remaining focused on objectives as the operation evolves

Integrity

• Act in accordance with Movement principles and values.
• Model ethical behaviour and uses the power of their position with integrity and accountability
• Refer reports of violations onwards using appropriate channels.
• Develop concise, consolidated reports that analyse progress, challenges and plan for follow-up action across the sectors.

Candidate Assessment
All candidates will be assessed based on technical and core competencies specific to this role. Candidates may be further invited to take part in a competency-based interview, assessment centre and psychological assessment.
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment (PSEAH) & Child Protection
Australian Red Cross reserves the right to conduct background checks on all candidates, including police, working with children checks, personal reference checks and other checks Australian Red Cross considers necessary. Candidates who do not pass a work with children check, or whose backgrounds checks suggest they may pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others will not be considered for this position.
Operational Constraints
In line with the principle of neutrality, please note that staff seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cannot be deployed to any country of origin. Delegates must be in good health and agree to participate in health clearance processes prior to any assignment.
For more information on the Biomedical Engineer profile, and working internationally with Australian Red Cross, contact Andree Girardau on arc_health@redcross.org.au
Red Cross strives to create a safe and inclusive culture with wellbeing at its centre. We embrace diversity and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with diverse lived experiences, abilities, genders, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations. We are a child safe organisation with zero tolerance of any harm to children. Our vision is to be trusted as the leading humanitarian organisation making a genuine difference in the lives of people and communities.
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Please refer the Job description for details