Disaster Response Member
Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.
What is the opportunity?
The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) responds to natural and manmade disasters offering hope through best-in-class Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. DART members deploy at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever a disaster strikes working together to provide people with safe water while sharing the love of Christ to those around them. Members that are called to serve in a Disaster Response are given specific deliverables to complete while deployed to fulfill the missional objectives of the response. DART Members serve as on-call disaster specialists and are hired as independent, paid contractors. Therefore, DART Members have the option not to deploy, when called. Contracts are short-term and activated only during deploy mentor on an as-need basis.
A successful Disaster Response Member will:
- Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
- Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
- Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.
- Maintain readiness and the availability to deploy internationally for 3-4 weeks and domestically for 2-3 weeks alongside Water Mission staff and other DART members.
- Serve as the hands and feet of Christ to people during some of their hardest moments.
- Willingness to accomplish role-specific tasks to further Water Mission’s objectives. (List of roles within the DART team are below).
- Maintain a flexible and adaptable work ethic.
- Effectively communicate with other DART members and supervisory staff.
- Maintain accurate financial records and receipts for all financial transactions during deployment.
- Maintain lines of reporting and communication per the assigned DART role.
- Liaise with external organizations and government officials as assigned, representing the organization with professionalism and respect.
- Attend trainings specific to Water Mission orientation, general disaster response and project assignments.
What is required?
- Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
- Degree or experience displaying competence in a DART role.
- Preferably one year in humanitarian relief, or two years in humanitarian development, or a combination of international mission, travel, and work experience.
- Ability to work in a high-stress environment with long working hours.
- Past international travel experience or disaster response experience is preferred.
- Professional and effective team player.
- Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Be available for deployment that lasts 3-4 weeks at a time (minimum of 2 weeks for domestic deployments).
- When deployed, ability to work from 40-80 hours per week.
Possible projects to be assigned include:
- Team Lead: Provides the management and overall direction of all DART Members and activities on the field.
- WASH Program Manager: Identifies new program areas, tracks activities, and attends Cluster Coordination Meetings.
- WASH Technician: Oversees the installation, troubleshooting, and operation of safe water systems.
- WASH Engineer: Designs and sizes safe water systems and oversees water quality testing.
- Partner Development Officer: Identifies partnership opportunities, writes proposals and reports.
- Ministry Coordinator: Builds relationships with local churches and oversees staff well-being.
- Operations Manager: Supervises procurement, warehousing, fleet, shipment, and customs requirements.
- Logistics Coordinator: Manages procurement ensuring adherence of all policies and procedures.
- Administrative Officer: Manages staff movement, housing, meals, and visa arrangements.
- Finance Coordinator: Manages petty cash, reconciles receipts, and ensures adherence of policies and procedures.
- Information Officer: Ensures program assessment and activity data is collected and reported.
- Safety & Security Manager: Develops security analysis and plan for DART members.