What does your job entail?
As a relief coordinator, I am responsible for all relief interventions in my district, ranging from event assistance to emergency interventions such as public care and the emergency response team. In the preparatory phase, I ensure that team members are prepared and the appropriate materials are available. I do this together with colleagues from within the district. Additionally, I maintain contact with key partners such as the municipality, safety region, emergency call center, and so on.
How did you end up joining the Red Cross?
I have been a volunteer with the Red Cross for a while, and in 2017, a project was initiated to professionalize event assistance. I applied for that project, and later on also picked up emergency relief. After a restructuring, I became the Relief coordinator. In addition to this role, I serve as an on-call officer for the role of Crisis Coordinator for the Red Cross. In the event of a crisis I can be deployed, along with a colleague, to coordinate for the Red Cross anywhere in the country.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
The best part of my job is interacting with the volunteers and ensuring they are ready for deployments. The gratitude from those we help provides extra motivation for what we do.
What should a new colleague know?
When you work for the Red Cross, you sometimes work unconventional hours, but in return, you get a lot of freedom to arrange your schedule as you see fit.
Can you say something about your development at the Red Cross?
At the Red Cross, I have been able to utilize my education in integrated safety and apply what I learned in practice. I have learned how to motivate volunteers. It is an incredible honor to work for an organization like the Red Cross and contribute to promoting its fundamental principles.
Are you, like Francois, driven to use your experience in the field of project management and policy development to help others in your region?