Aid worker stories
Getting into the aid sector
Michael Collins is a Programme Manager for an international NGO undertaking a project in construction capacity building training in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Four months before he was offered this oversees experience in the relief sector, Michael attended RedR's Essentials of Humanitarian Practice training.
“I’ll always remember the first day of work as wake up call. At 8.00 a.m. I was sent to the early recovery coordination meeting chaired by UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) with all the major international NGOs and government officials. I felt like a small fish in a very big pond!” Michael says.
“The course had already introduced me to the coordination mechanisms used by international agencies, which enabled me to find my bearings and confidently form part of the meeting (albeit close to the door),” says Michael, who is now the focal point for the Shelter Cluster, a system which ensures an integrated response to emergencies.
In Indonesia Michael and his team assist homeowners living in earthquake prone areas to reconstruct their homes to earthquake resistant standards. They provide training for local engineers, builders and technical college students. “I have learnt more in this past year than I have working for the past ten,” Michael affirms.
When he undertook the Essentials of Humanitarian Practice course he already some experience in the sector and a real passion for doing more. Thanks to his construction site management skills he got his first break in the humanitarian sector when he was offered a volunteer position with an NGO working on small scale construction projects in Tibet.
Even though Michael had worked for a short period of time in the sector, he learnt many things during the course “from the basics in codes of conduct and minimum standards, to the study of real cases of emergency and logistical problems in the field” he says. “All of this in an exceedingly interactive environment bumper-packed with like-minded people and fun activities.”
The importance of having skilled personnel in development and relief programmes
When questioned about the importance of professionalisation of aid workers, Michael says “So many things can go wrong. Every humanitarian worker should be prepared to take full responsibility for his or her actions at all time and act accordingly. There is not much time for people that don’t know what their doing,“ Michael says.
In the last decade the importance of professionalisation and therefore, training for the humanitarian sector has grown dramatically. Also there are an increasing number of standards and codes which define the way in which humanitarian aid is delivered. The need to provide the sector with better prepared and experienced aid workers means that improving the competencies and effectiveness of humanitarian workers is crucial.
Tips for getting started in the humanitarian sector
Like many people who undertake RedR's training courses, Michael confirms that the challenge of getting into the humanitarian sector is “getting your foot in the door.” NGOs need to have experienced and qualified people and “those of us with experience and no qualifications are just as stuck as those of us with qualifications and no practical experience. A vicious circle that only persistent can break.”
“Don’t stop trying”. That’s the first tip Michael gives. “I remember hearing people say this when I was looking for my first mission. I actually developed a pet hate for them. They all said that and they were right!” Michael now admits.
“Learn as much as you can, meet and network with people in the sector, ask them what it's like to spend so much time away from home in a unfamiliar environment and how they learnt to deal with it. If you still really want it, send a hundred emails a day if you need to, knock on people doors, follow up persistently on interviews and volunteer for anything you can. There is someone somewhere that is looking for what you’ve got.”
Find out more about RedR's Essentials of Humanitarian Practice.
View RedR's UK Training Calendar.
Photo credits: Michael Collins
