What It Does: Protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance
Staff Stats: 18,000
Volunteers: 16,4 million
Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
Since its creation in 1863, the ICRC's sole objective has been to ensure protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and strife. It does so through its direct action around the world, as well as by encouraging the development of international humanitarian law (IHL) and promoting respect for it by governments and all weapon bearers. Its story is about the development of humanitarian action, the Geneva Conventions, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ over 20,000 people in more than 100 countries. The ICRC is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, their Statutes those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.
To protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.
At the ICRC, we recruit three kinds of staff: mobile field staff, resident headquarters staff, and resident field staff.
Below you will find everything you need to know about our contract types and our recruitment process, which differ for these three types of staff.
Mobile Contracts
Employees on mobile contracts are hired on a Swiss-based contract and can be deployed to work in any country where there is an operational need. Employees on mobile contracts typically change the country with each new assignment.
All current job openings for mobile field staff are accessible on this career site.
Please note that employees on mobile contracts cannot be assigned to a country of which they are nationals.
Headquarters Positions
Employees based at our headquarters are hired on a Swiss-based contract to work in a specific position at our head offices in Geneva. There are no nationality restrictions.
All current job openings for positions at headquarters are accessible on this career site.
Resident Contracts
Employees on resident contracts are hired on local contracts to work in a specific position in a specific country.
Note - Please note that these positions are not published on our career site. If you wish to apply for a resident field position, please contact the ICRC delegation in your country of residence.
Application
Screening of your application
Interviews
Selection
Assignment proposal and employment
The length of the process depends on your availability and our operational needs. The assignment may range from a few weeks to several months, but the vast majority of our positions start with a 12-month assignment.
You will be offered your first assignment, and given the following information:
Location
Start date
Salary
Job description
Note - Each step should be successfully completed in order for the process to move forward and that the timeline may vary from one step to another.
Accommodation
Medical check-ups
Vaccinations
Travel
Transport of luggage
Hardship incentives
Cost-of-living allowances
Education assistance
health insurance
Pension plan
Paid leave/holidays
Maternity and adoption leave
One return trip