The DART Member position is an employment opportunity requiring an application to be considered. To apply to join DART, please complete the form below.. Our HR department will review all applications and contact qualified applicants.
Working in a disaster setting requires you to adapt to uncomfortable surroundings and living conditions. Your privacy and level of comfort will be limited. In some cases, accommodations in the field could range from a tent to a mud hut or shared room without fan or air conditioning. Toilet facilities are shared and often times basic. In other cases, DART members may have accommodations in a hotel, while the people affected by the disaster are struggling to survive. This disparity is often difficult for some responders.
Post-disaster conditions often result in electricity and internet access being limited, sometimes for extended periods of time. Choice of food is often limited. Weather conditions can be extreme (hot, dry, cold, rains, or desert conditions) and challenging for some individuals.
You should ask yourself if you are physically able and willing to sacrifice your physical comforts before applying to DART.
Your communication will typically be limited. Due to the disaster conditions, rural environments, and the high-paced nature of a DART, there will be limited access to telecommunications. The emergency telecommunication systems utilised during deployment may only be used for operations critical data and communications unless staff members have a personal need. You and your family members should be aware of this before you deploy.
No. DARTs are not volunteer opportunities. Due to the extreme and sometimes hazardous environments typically found hours after a major disaster and the need for skilled, humanitarian professionals, Samaritan’s Purse DART responders are short-term, contracted employees of the organisation.
Depending on the type of disaster, international location, and DART mandate, deployments will look different. A typical DART deployment lasts three to four weeks. A few common themes to expect are:
- Long work hours
- High stress and fast-paced environment
- The need for flexibility and a willingness to serve in any manner regardless of job “titles”
- A focused, goal-oriented, and strong team dynamic
- Organisational support and rapid response to needs on the ground
- A readiness to deploy teams to serve in the hardest-hit and many times hardest to reach areas
Our DART responders work in complex, international disaster contexts in extreme environments so an appropriate amount of international humanitarian relief work experience is highly recommended. DART members should also be able to contribute professional experience in the key area(s) in which they deploy.
Minimum qualifications for a DART member include:
• Committed to Christian values and precepts and be in sympathy with the Samaritan’s Purse Statement of Faith.
• 1-2 year’s professional experience in international context or disaster response management is highly desirable.
• Minimum 2 years post-qualification work experience and professional skills.
• Available on short notice for an immediate three to four week deployment.
• Willingness to work in unstable, insecure areas.
• Medical DART members must have at least two years post-graduate clinical experience, or two years of clinical experience after the completion of their specialist training if applying for a specialist medical role on the DART. Medical DART members must also have been clinically active in the role they are applying for within the last 5 years.
• Able to provide training and supervision to others.
• Flexible and able to manage stress.
• Sufficient travel, volunteer, or work experience in developing countries.
• Willingness to engage in daily prayer ministry with the DART team and with the beneficiaries we serve.
• Maintains an evangelical heart and passion for others to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Valid passport
• Basic vaccinations up to date.
• Willingness to participate in and lead daily staff devotions.
• Please note that all DART members must be available to deploy for at least three weeks at a time.
Yes, due to both the nature and context of the role you have to be committed to the Christian values and in sympathy with the Samaritan’s Purse Statement of Faith. You will need to demonstrate that you have an evangelistic heart and be able to demonstrate enthusiasm for the Christian purposes of the organisation and be able to live out, hold to, support and contribute to its Christian ethos.
Yes. Samaritan’s Purse offers domestic and international training opportunities for DART applicants to gain a better understanding of Samaritan’s Purse international disaster response structure and develop practical skills to utilize in the field to boost success and add value to the DART.
Samaritan’s Purse has extensive experience in relief programming, specifically in the sectors of shelter; food; medical care; and water, sanitation, and hygiene. During the initial phase of disaster response, our DART focuses on conducting distributions of sector-specific non-food items such as tarp, cooking kits, hygiene kits, blankets, and mosquito nets, depending on the context and community needs.
Our medical response has the capacity to function anywhere using small, mobile medical teams traveling to multiple communities and setting up a fully staffed and equipped emergency field hospital.
Additional programming can also include shelter reconstruction, water point rehabilitation, and community hygiene education.
Yes, due to the vulnerability of the people you will be serving you will require a full enhanced DBS check as a condition of your employment. This will be organised by Samaritan’s Purse as part of your onboarding. You will also receive safeguarding training and be expected to abide by the organisational standards and safeguarding Code of Conduct, as well as the IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for humanitarian workers.
Yes, you have to either have a British Passport or other evidence to work in the UK, even though DART deployment is usually outside the UK. If you do not have the Right to Work in the UK other affiliate offices will have different employment regulations and may be able to consider your application.
