The Relief and Rehabilitation Orientation Course (ROC)
The ROC is an eight-day training and evaluation course that takes place three times a year in Europe, usually in Switzerland. The closing date for ROC applications is normally 6 weeks before each ROC starts.
ROC dates
| From | to | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 30 October 2010 | 06 November 2010 | Switzerland |
| 12 March 2011 | 19 March 2011 | Switzerland |
| 18 June 2011 | 25 June 2011 | Switzerland |
| 29 October 2011 | 05 November 2011 | Switzerland |
The ROC is an intensive experiential orientation to relief work with Medair. Participants experience the challenges of relief work through practical simulations and become familiar with Medair’s values, projects, and country programmes.
The simulation runs throughout the course and culminates in team presentations of a project proposal. The ROC simulation includes practical exercises, research, and daily updates of changing field conditions and security bulletins.
Introduction to the ROC
The ROC introduces participants to:
- The culture, values, and vision of Medair
- Details about Medair’s country programmes
- The professional and biblical principles of relief work and humanitarian aid
- The challenges of working and living in a different culture; with an international team; and in insecure and stressful environments
- A broad range of relief-related issues through lectures, simulations, and practical exercises
- The principles of working with a variety of stakeholders in the humanitarian sector
- The ethical, moral, and spiritual challenges that relief workers face
The ROC personal evaluation
The ROC evaluates participants on 5 core personal areas:
- Motivation
- Adaptability
- Technical skills
- Ability to work with a team
- Leadership and management
The ROC also involves some physical activity. All candidates applying for the course must certify that they are in good health and are capable of participating in the entire programme. Any health conditions (such as special diet requirements, pregnancy, disability, etc.) must be specified in the online registration form.
The ROC course schedule
The ROC consists of an ongoing practical simulation of emergency relief and rehabilitation activities, along with a series of informative lectures and discussions about Medair’s approach to relief work.
| Day | Theme | Course Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Welcome Day | Introductions |
| Review of the course programme | ||
| Sunday | Understanding Medair | Introduction to the simulation |
| Medair: our history, mandate, work, values, and structure | ||
| Monday | Understanding Humanitarian Aid | Introduction to the humanitarian context |
| Introduction to project management | ||
| Practical exercises: handling stress, cross-cultural context, team-building | ||
| Tuesday | Understanding Others | Security and contact with authorities |
| Dealing with injustice, suffering, and death | ||
| Wednesday | Encountering the Field | Simulation day – teams complete field survey |
| Testimonies from the field | ||
| Thursday | Understanding Myself | Personality profiles and team dynamics |
| Presentation and evaluation of project proposals | ||
| Friday | Understanding the Job | Personal interviews* |
| Briefing on current Medair projects and job profiles | ||
| Saturday | Closure day | Final meetings |
| Departure |
This ROC course description is subject to change without notice.
* Each participant will be interviewed by a senior member of the Medair Human Resources team to evaluate the week and discuss their possible future with Medair.
To return to the opportunities to work with Medair page, click here.
If you have less than 12 months relief experience - you can apply directly for the ROC as a New Relief Worker, by clicking here.
If you have 12 months or more relief experience - you can apply directly for one of our Experienced Relief Worker current field vacancies, by clicking here.