Australia Assists - Advisor: USAR SOP Development

Work on a global humanitarian program contributing to saving lives and alleviating suffering.

Australia Assists is an Australian Government program that deploys skilled humanitarian specialists to support multilateral agencies, governments, civil society and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and conflict. Australia Assists’ Goal is to: Save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of conflict, disasters and other humanitarian crises, and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations. The program’s Objective is: Targeted deployment of humanitarian expertise that meets the priorities and needs of Australia's multilateral, bilateral and civil society partners and advances Australia's international humanitarian priorities.

For more information please visit our website.

The Opportunity:

• Based in Jakarta, Indonesia
• Open to national and international candidates
• Duration: 6 months from start

The Role:

The Consultant for the Inclusion of USAR as the new chapter in SASOP will support the strengthening of coordinated USAR arrangements across the region, helping to ensure a more effective, interoperable, and operationally relevant response to urban disasters. The position offers the chance to apply deep technical expertise in USAR standards, international coordination mechanisms, and emergency response planning in a regional setting. Working closely with the AHA Centre, ASEAN Member States, and relevant partners, the consultant will help develop practical provisions that align with international good practice and support the mobilisation, reception, deployment, and demobilisation of USAR teams. This role is well suited to a seasoned disaster management or USAR professional who values collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and capacity strengthening. It combines strategic policy development with hands-on consultation and technical leadership, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to ASEAN-led disaster preparedness and response

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise to the AHA Centre in the development of a dedicated Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) chapter in the SASOP.
• Ensure the proposed chapter enhances regional interoperability and strengthens ASEAN capacity to coordinate USAR assistance during disasters
• Develop a comprehensive and operationally relevant Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) chapter for incorporation into the SASOP
• Ensure alignment with the international USAR Standards,
• Strengthen regional procedures and coordination mechanisms for the mobilisation, reception, deployment, and demobilisation of USAR teams within ASEAN.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and incorporate feedback from ASEAN Member States and relevant partners,
• Provide recommendations to enhance the readiness and interoperability for USAR operations in ASEAN region.
• Technical review and assessment of the current (desk review/revalidate) USAR capacity (including types of teams and deployment mechanisms) and operational standard in the region (mapping)
• Development of the new USAR chapter in the SASOP
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation
• Finalisation and reporting

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in the development of disaster management policies, standard operating procedures, operational guidelines, or coordination frameworks at national, regional, or international levels.
• Strong knowledge of international USAR coordination mechanisms and standards, particularly the INSARAG Guidelines and methodology and experience of sending and receiving international assistance.
• Proven experience in coordinating or supporting USAR operations during emergency responses.
• Knowledge of emergency response coordination, humanitarian principles, and civil-military coordination mechanisms.

Desired:

• Familiarity with ASEAN disaster management mechanisms, including AADMER, SASOP, and the role of the AHA Centre, is highly desirable.
•  Experience working with National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs), civil protection agencies, emergency services, or humanitarian organizations.
• INSARAG External Classification (IEC) or INSARAG mentoring experience.

For the complete Position Description and further information regarding this opportunity, please contact the Recruitment and Readiness Coordinator at Isireli.Baravilala@australiaassists.org

How to apply

Please submit your application by clicking "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. Applications will only be accepted via the Tetra Tech International Development Website.Emailed applications will be disregarded.

Australia Assists is committed to equitable access. Applicants with disabilities or are facing other barriers that prevents them from using this application portal, please request reasonable accommodation by emailing HR@australiaasssists.org

Alternative submission formats (e.g. Word, accessible PDF, or email) are available on request. Please contact us to discuss available options.

A completed application includes:

• Resume
• Statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), demonstrating how your qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and personal attributes align with the selection criteria

Apply before 11:59pm (AEDT), Thursday 30th July 2026.