Partner Organisation:      Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) 

Title of placement:           Disaster Risk Reduction 

Location:                           Indonesia

Start date:                        1^st July 2009

Duration:                          3 months (Possibility of salaried role following successful completion of project)

Number of volunteers:     1

A 3 month placement working closely with local communities to develop and implement projects that reduce devastation in the aftermath of disasters, ACTED is an international organisation with local programmes in Indonesia.  

What work will I be doing?

The volunteer will work under the supervision of the local project manager. Responsibilities will include working together with beneficiary communities to identify, assess and mitigate disaster risks (e.g. partaking in and leading risk mapping and prioritisation sessions at community meetings). The volunteer will work diplomatically to help encourage attendance and proportional representation during community consultations, and liaise with local authorities and the wider community to gain their participation and support for projects. The volunteer will also assist in the supervision and implementation of both structural and non-structural mitigation activities up to a value of 2500euros per community.  

Structural preventative measures undertaken may include constructing infrastructure compliant with design standards which are resilient to the impacts of natural hazards, building retaining walls protecting against floods, planting mangrove or creating seawalls to reduce the impact of tsunamis, constructing elevated shelters or access roads to high ground, or the provision of piped culverts and adequate drainage. 

Non-structural preventative measures implemented may include identifying and demarcating evacuation routes and “safe spaces” for logistics coordination and relief distribution, determining improvements to communication networks necessary to enhance existing early warning systems, developing a training program for local contractors in construction methods resilient to future hazards, or reviewing agriculture practices to determine risk management strategies and opportunities for livelihood diversification.

Who will I be working for?

ACTED is an independent, private and not-for-profit non-governmental organisation created in 1993. ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations worldwide and to accompany them in the construction of a better future. They aim to guarantee the link between Emergency, Rehabilitation and Development, to ensure that both immediate assistance and long-term support are provided to beneficiaries to enable them to break the poverty cycle. The programmes implemented by ACTED around the world aim to address the needs of populations affected by wars, natural catastrophes and/or economical and social crises. ACTED develops about 150 projects a year in activities as diversified as Emergency Relief, Food Security, Health Promotion, Economic Development, Education and Training, and Micro finance.

ACTED was created in Afghanistan and the organisation’s first projects were initiated in Kabul in 1993 to bring relief to populations affected by more than 15 years of conflict. The organisation has since continued to expand and today ACTED is active in 23 countries worldwide. The organisation employs approximately 150 international staff and more than 2500 national staff. The headquarters for the organisation are located in Paris.

What skills or experience do I need?

Required:

• Practically minded person
• University undergraduate or graduate
• Diplomatic approach to resolving disagreements

Desired:

• An ability to speak Indonesian/ or a willingness to learn prior to departure
• Availability to take up opportunities with ACTED following completion of this placement