WEC Regional Manager (800713)

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

Purpose

The Weapon Contamination (WeC) Regional Manager oversees the ICRC’s Weapon Contamination programs and activities in the Americas Region, ensuring that WeC expertise is available to ICRC Delegations, Sub-Delegations and missions. S/he is responsible for providing assessments, analysis and guidance on matters related to conventional weapons (including contamination by landmines and explosive remnants of war) and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards and their impact on staff safety, operational continuity and local civilian populations. In affected countries with no WeC program, s/he may work with the National Society and may also support the activities of national authorities, when appropriate, to ensure that needs for the benefit of the civilian population are being effectively addressed.

Scope & impact

• Although a number of countries in the Americas Region have eliminated the dangers posed by antipersonnel mines from earlier conflicts, several remain contaminated and new hazards are arising in the region from the use of IEDs, drones and other explosive weapons.
• The Americas Region has six operational delegations, one of which has a WeC program (Colombia) and another with limited WeC activities (Venezuela). Several delegations currently face WeC-related issues linked to the use of drones and IEDs (Mexico, Haiti) but no persistent WeC presence.
• The WeC Regional Manager will be based in Bogota and will take the lead on
• Supporting delegations in identifying WeC-related hazards and developing appropriate responses.
• Providing technical oversight (blue-line supervision) of the WeC programme in Colombia and WeC activities in Venezuela.
• Representing WeC at the RRN and at regional level more broadly on WeC-related issues.
• Geographically, the Regional Manager is responsible for the Americas Region, but s/he may be seconded to other regions in case of critical need, filling the role of a member of the Rapid Deployment Team when required and agreed.

General Duties

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Always respects and observes staff regulations and security rules
• Always represents the ICRC in a professional manner
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

Analysis

• Develops a thorough understanding of the weapon contamination situation regionally and provides ICRC management with hazard identification and risk assessments on the likely impact of weapon contamination on staff, operations, and civilians in affected areas.
• Prepares strategies, plans and approaches to mitigate exposure and to respond to weapon contamination hazards, providing guidance and operational support as necessary to Delegations as well as National Societies as appropriate.
• Monitors and analyses emerging weapon-related threats and their humanitarian and operational consequences, particularly those associated with the increasing use of drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosive weapons in armed conflicts and other situations of violence. Provides technical expertise on weapon effects, contamination risks and risk mitigation measures, contributing to multidisciplinary analysis and operational responses in coordination with Protection, Legal, FAS/PGE, SCMS and other relevant departments. Supports Conduct of Hostilities (CoH) analysis where appropriate.

Supervision and guidance

• Monitors and coordinates the overall operation of WeC programmes and activities in the region, providing support, and advice to WeC Coordinators, Field Managers, Field Officers and focal persons at the Delegation level.
• Provides specialist guidance and operational support directly to Delegations, when needed, in concert with relevant WeC staff at Headquarters level.
• Ensures that WeC activities in the region are targeted and comply with WeC standards and guidelines, ICRC's operational frameworks and requirements as well as the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs), when relevant.
• When required, supports the Heads of Regional Delegations and Head of RRN in updating contingency plans and other regional strategic documents on WeC-relevant topics.
• Developing and delivering a risk-based regional WeC support offer, tailored to the operational needs and capacities of delegations. This includes weapon-related risk analysis, staff and National Society volunteer safety, protection of first responders and pre-hospital personnel, monitoring of emerging threats related to drones, IEDs and other explosive hazards, and operational preparedness. The Regional Manager supports delegations in assessing the relevance, feasibility and risks of community-based risk reduction activities, ensuring that responses are context-specific, proportionate and guided by do-no-harm considerations.

Security

• Provides specialized WeC technical input to delegation security risk assessments and mitigation measures, including passive and active security measures where relevant, in close coordination with SCMS and other relevant métiers.
• Supports delegations in developing and updating contingency plans, SOPs and other operational documents concerning WeC-related risks.
• In close collaboration with SCMS and other relevant technical departments, supports management on issues related to passive and active security when required.
• Provides WeC staff safety sessions for ICRC and NS staff and volunteers working in hazardous areas, ensuring that such support is in line with ICRC and Movement Guidelines, IMAS, IATGs and best practices.
• Supports all ICRC departments in risk assessment and risk mitigation planning in order to ensure staff safety and continuity of operations.

Additional Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

Planning, monitoring and reporting

• Provides timely, relevant and accurate input to the PfR planning process and assists the preparation of WeC-related GOs and SOs (in line with the WeC PfR reference framework), identifying and recommending the human and financial resources required to achieve the planned objectives, in coordination with the relevant delegations and the WeC Unit at HQ.
• Monitors WeC programs and activities to ensure they are meeting yearly objectives and that work is conducted in accordance with ICRC/Movement guidelines, IMAS, IATGs and international best practice, where appropriate.
• Oversees and contributes, as necessary, to ICRC institutional monitoring and reporting processes (MfR, PAM) and to external reporting documents (e.g REM Appeals) when requested.
• Updates WeC briefing papers, monthly reports and any other core documents with information regarding the WeC file within the Americas.
• Prepares briefing materials for ICRC management and departments as needed
• Monitors the work of NS and cooperating partners through field visits ensuring that their work is conducted in accordance with training objectives and methodologies, Movement guidelines, IMAS, IATGs and international best practice (where appropriate).

Mission support

• Prepares the Terms of Reference for WeC-related support missions to the Americas Region in coordination with relevant Delegation and the WeC Unit in GVA.

• Briefs member(s) of WeC support mission(s) prior to deployment and ensures that they have received relevant information and briefing/training materials. Following the mission, ensures that a debrief and reporting are carried out for institutional reference and learning.

Learning and Development

• In coordination with the WeC LnD Manager, supervises the development of training plans and strategies to enhance the capacities of WeC staff, NS and other relevant partners, ensuring that all are in line with ICRC objectives and international standards, guidelines and best practices.
• Plans and conducts trainings for NS and other appropriate partners, on a needs-basis, ensuring that any training is planned in cooperation and coordination with the NS, cooperating partner and other relevant stakeholders.

Representation

• Represents the WeC Unit at the regional level, both as part of the Regional Resource Network (RRN) and Regional Management Team (RMT).
• Represents the America region in WeC Unit related meetings, workshops, trainings, strategies, etc.
• Supports the ICRC’s humanitarian diplomacy efforts on weapon-related issues, including the promotion of relevant IHL treaties (APMBC, CCM, CCW) and dialogue on conventional weapons and CBRN hazards and their humanitarian consequences. Such engagement is undertaken in coordination with the relevant delegations, the Head of RRN, and technical departments (e.g. Legal, Protection, FAS/PGE), ensuring coherence with regional priorities and institutional positions.
• Interacts with UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and other actors to identify relevant areas for cooperation and coordination on WeC related issues.
• Participates in technical review boards, professional fora, and conferences, where appropriate.

Additional responsabilities

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the WeC regional manager is expected to

• At all times follow WeC standards, guidelines and operating procedures.
• Emphasize the central role of data in the planning and prioritizing of WeC activities and oversee data collection and analysis, ensuring information is available to Delegations and Headquarters.
• Work with the WeC programs under his/her supervision to advance the inclusion of mine and ERW survivors in WeC work.
• Promote understanding and implementation of the Movement Strategy on landmines, cluster munitions and other Explosive Remnants of War, and the WeC operational framework (“ICRC Response to Weapon Contamination”).
• Work transversally, by engaging other units and departments, to ensure coherence in assessing and responding to weapon contamination.
• FAS, Health, Protection, WatHab, EcoSec, PrP, Cooperation and Legal).
• Work with relevant Departments and WeC Unit in GVA in support of developing and applying new methodologies and technologies.
• Be available for rapid deployment in case of urgent need in the region.
• Fulfil other relevant duties as agreed between the line manager and the WeC Unit in GVA.

People Management Responsibilities

• Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under his/her supervision.
• Ensures that deadlines for the PMD cycle are met.
• Engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support, particularly for employees under his/her supervision, but also other staff members as appropriate.
• Organizes regular meetings within his/her team(s) to ensure optimal coordination of the work and proper flow of information.
• Ensures that job descriptions for employees under his/her supervision are up to date; seeks feedback and support from the HR Department if needed.
• Plans and coordinates his/her annual leave, ensuring continuity of the operations throughout the year and making sure that there are no critical gaps in the regional team wherever possible.
• Coordinates and supports the employees under his/her supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.

Additional Duties

• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments.
• Is aware of the RRNs objectives and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other contacts relevant to the position.
• Contributes to the RRN strategy.
• Collects and shares information to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses.
• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development.

Relationships

• The WeC Regional Manager for the Americas reports to the Head of the RRN as line manager (red line) and to Deputy Head of Weapon Contamination Unit (OPS_PROG_WeC) as technical/functional (blue line).
• The WeC Regional Manager is the functional manager to the highest level WeC staff in a given delegation.
• The WeC Regional Manager is a member of the RRN and the Americas RMT.

Certifications / Education required

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) with minimum 5 years' experience in management, planning and training/capacity building; or a first-level university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years' experience; or military (or relevant police) experience at officer or senior non-commissioned officer level, with a minimum of 11 years' experience.
• Advanced computer skills.

Language

• Advanced command of written and spoken English and Spanish (French and Portuguese are an asset).

Professional experience required

• Typically, 10-12 years overall professional experience, with previous Movement experience being a strong asset.
• EOD Level 2 an added value.
• WeC Explosive Ordnance Recognition (EOR) course.
• CBRN basic training - Survive to function.
• Knowledge of or experience in assessing emerging weapon-related threats, particularly unmanned aerial systems (UAS/drones), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and weapon effects, including their humanitarian and operational implications, is an asset.
• Experienced and successful manager.
• EOD or CBRN instructor qualification (from an internationally recognized institution) an asset.

What We Offer?

• Location: Bogotá.
• Type of Contract: Open-ended (according to Colombian labor law).
• Legal benefits: Health, pension, ARL and compensation fund affiliations.
• Possibility of flexible scheduling.
• Salary according to ICRC salary grid.
• Activity Rate: 100%
• International savings of 11.5% of monthly salary, financed by the organization.
• 20 working days of vacation.
• Estimated start date: January 2027

Application deadline: November 2th 2026