Fire Marshall Assistant
Supervise and conduct fire operations and emergency rescue activities.
Overview
Supervise and conduct fire operations and emergency rescue activities.
You have:
- Ability to lead and supervise fire fighting teams and crews.
- Ability to conduct emergency crash rescue operations effectively.
- Experience in training personnel and conducting inspections.
- Experience in communication with public and emergency personnel.
- Ability to work in harsh and difficult conditions.
Contract
This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.
Assignment is non-family (GOMA)
Under the overall supervision of the Chief Aviation Officer and Chief Air Terminal/Airfield Unit, the Air Operations Assistant (Fire Marshal) will be responsible, but not limited, for the following duties:
• Conduct Emergency Crash Rescue (ECR) operations, emergency plan and lead a fire fighting team. • Supervise fire assistant crew and shift activities for the daily operations of the fire cell. • Provide guidance and supervision in training, inspections, and maintenance to ensure personnel and equipment maintain a high state of fire-fighting readiness and the ability to interpret and enforce fire prevention codes. • Communicate with the public, workers, and other emergency personnel. • Monitor all aircraft start. • Monitor refueling and de-fueling operations. • Perform other duties as required.
Client Orientation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams
Fire
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.
Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.
Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.
All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.
Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.
The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.
In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to lead a team in a crisis situation? | This question assesses leadership and decision-making skills under pressure. | Provide a specific example demonstrating your leadership and the outcome achieved. |
| How do you ensure that safety protocols are followed in high-pressure environments? | The interviewer wants to see your commitment to safety and compliance. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with emergency rescue operations. What was a significant challenge you faced? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you handle communication with different stakeholders during an emergency? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to maintain high morale among your team under stressful conditions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |