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Applying to the ICRC

 

At the ICRC, we are driven by a shared mission: to help people affected by conflict and violence. We uphold seven Fundamental Principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality – that guide our work in the world’s most challenging environments.

Are you a talented and committed individual who shares our values?

Impact: We believe in creating positive change, both through our actions and by fostering collaboration with others.

Collaboration: We work hand in hand with affected communities, interested parties and colleagues to achieve our goals.

Respect: We treat everyone with dignity and fairness, promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.

Compassion: Empathy and care are at the heart of everything we do.

We want you to experience these values throughout the application process. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate these behaviours in their applications and interviews, as well as their capacity to contribute to the ICRC's culture of integrity – in particular its ambition to prevent and address misconduct of any kind and create a safe and respectful environment. 

We work in more than 90 countries and recruit professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences for our delegations in the field and headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Below you will find everything you need to know about our recruitment process, talent pools and the contract types we offer.

Our recruitment process

1 – Application

All current vacancies are published on our jobs page. You can check the status of your application at any time. Please note that we do not accept unsolicited applications.

Please ensure that your CV and cover letter reflect your motivation to join the ICRC.

2 – Screening of your application

Our dedicated recruitment team will carefully review all applications and shortlist those who best match the given role and our values. If you are shortlisted for the next stage, you will receive an email inviting you to participate in tests and/or interviews. While we cannot provide detailed feedback at this initial stage, we appreciate your interest in the ICRC.

3 – Pre-recorded video and tests (may be required)

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to start the assessment process. This may include:

  • Pre-recorded videos: you record your answers in front of a camera on our dedicated platform.  We will assess your motivation and fit for the position.
  • Language tests: you are assessed on your language skills using our testing tools. We will test your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
  • Technical tests: we ask you to perform a test to assess your technical skills. This can be done online or offline.

4 – Interviews

The recruiter will invite you for an HR interview and/or technical interview and/or panel interview. The interviews may be held either online or in person at our headquarters or in one of our delegations, depending on where you are based.

5 – Selection and hiring

You will be informed by the recruiter and/or line manager whether you have been selected for the position you applied for.

Our commitment to upholding the highest standards

As outlined in our Code of Conduct, in our day-to-day operations we are unequivocally committed to protecting and making responsible use of our resources, as well as creating a safe and respectful environment for our staff, our partners and, above all, the people we protect and assist. It is our culture of integrity that enables us to fully honour those commitments.

To fulfil these commitments and ensure the safety of those we assist and our staff, the ICRC conducts thorough background checks of candidates. This may include checking criminal convictions, disciplinary or other administrative sanctions, and any situations related to potential misconduct.

The ICRC is a proud partner of the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. This collaboration helps prevent perpetrators of sexual misconduct from moving between organizations, further safeguarding the people we serve. As part of this process, your previous employers will be contacted to corroborate any findings or allegations of sexual misconduct.

Lastly, to keep you, your team and those we serve safe from harm, the ICRC conducts medical checks to ensure our medical standards are met.

Kindly note that each step must be successfully completed before the hiring process can move forward, and that the timeline may vary from one step to another.

Building a network of experts: our talent pools of mobile staff

 

In the fast-paced world of humanitarian response, having a ready network of qualified professionals is crucial. This is why we use talent pools. Basically, these are pools of pre-assessed candidates who possess the skills and experience we frequently need for our field assignments.

While you are not immediately contracted by the ICRC, by joining our talent pool you demonstrate your commitment to humanitarian work and position yourself to be quickly considered for relevant job openings that match your expertise. Please note that the length of the process depends on your availability and our operational needs.

Watch this video to find out more about pool recruitment at the ICRC!

 

Important information:

  • In line with the ICRC’s Fundamental Principle of neutrality, we do not send staff members to countries of which they are nationals.
  • Your assignment is contingent on your obtaining medical clearance.
  • For the first 24 months, your dependents (family, partner, etc.) cannot accompany you on assignment and your assignments are chosen by the ICRC.
  • After you have been hired for an assignment, you are automatically considered for other assignments and training opportunities, including at headquarters in Geneva.

With each successive assignment, you can build your career as a humanitarian professional at the ICRC.

Contract types

We hire resident staff locally to fill specific positions in specific regions of a given country.

Mobile staff are international professionals hired by our Geneva headquarters. They work on contracts following Swiss employment standards and law. These roles involve deployment to various countries around the world (global deployment). Assignments can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, with most positions starting with a 12-month commitment.

We are committed to growing the next generation of humanitarians and offer traineeships at our headquarters in Geneva and in some delegations.

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