Student and graduate programs
Whether you join us for a role as part of your studies, after graduation, for your civilian service or through a vocational reintegration programme, your contribution is important to us. As a responsible employer, we care about our staff, and our pleasant working environment provides an opportunity for you to learn, develop your skills, gain valuable professional experience as you start out on your career, and, in general, grow your potential and employability. You will bring a fresh perspective on our work and contribute to fulfilling our mission.
STUDENTS AND APPRENTICES
Every year, more than 20 students and apprentices join us as part of their studies. They are based at our headquarters in Geneva. Unpaid traineeships or apprenticeships offer them a chance to develop their expertise and benefit from an enriching professional experience in the world’s leading humanitarian organization.
- What we look for
Students whose degree courses include completion of a traineeship as a compulsory component.
Apprentices on vocational educational programmes in the fields of business and administration, information and documentation, or logistics, requiring completion of a one- to three-year apprenticeship.
- What we offer
We offer unpaid traineeships of up to 90 days. You will join one of our departments, where you will learn about what we do and develop your skills in the fields of research, evaluation, analysis and/or writing. If you are interested, please look for “traineeship” under our current career opportunities.
We also offer apprenticeships in the fields of business and administration, information and documentation, and logistics. During your time with us, you will learn about what we do, be coached by trained supervisors, develop your competencies and practise them on a daily basis. Our trainers oversee your workplace curriculum, ensuring it meets the requirements of the vocational education programme.
Apprenticeships last between one and three years. They lead to a Swiss Federal Certificate of Proficiency (CFC). Recruitment takes place in March each year and apprenticeships start in September. If you are interested, please look for “apprenticeships” under our current career opportunities.
GRADUATES
Every year, more than 80 ‟associate” positions at our headquarters in Geneva are open to recent graduates, as a first professional opportunity to develop their expertise and benefit from an enriching professional experience in the world’s leading humanitarian organization.
- What we look for
As a recent graduate, you have recently completed your studies and possess newly acquired academic or vocational skills. Your professional experience in your field of studies is limited: no more than one year of professional experience since graduation (in relation to the position), or two years if you have been in previous traineeships.
Are you looking for a traineeship to further develop your competencies and apply your knowledge and skills in your field? If you are interested, please look for “traineeship” under our current career opportunities.
The ICRC promotes a diverse workforce and offers an inclusive working environment. We encourage applicants from different backgrounds and aim to achieve broad diversity in terms of the educational experience, professional exposure and cultural perspectives of our employees.
- What we offer
For a period of up to 12 months, you will join one of our departments, such as International Law and Policy, Communication and Information Management, Operations, Financial Resources and Logistics, and Human Resources. You will contribute to our work, including in the fields of research, evaluation, analysis and/or writing.
As a responsible employer, we care about our associates and provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable professional experience as your start out on your career, and grow your potential and employability. You will bring a fresh perspective on our work and contribute to fulfilling our mission.
We offer our associates the means to learn, practise and develop, through:
- paid traineeships: all associates receive a gross monthly salary of Sfr 3,840.00 (13 installments per year);
- support and supervision from broad teams with competencies in the associate’s field of work;
- an informal buddy programme to welcome and support newcomers;
- both formal and informal training opportunities, including an initial three-day training programme, access to our online learning platform and cohesive on-the-job learning.
CIVILIAN SERVICE RECRUITS
We offer opportunities to recruits wishing to carry out their Swiss civilian service (as an alternative to military service) in the field of international cooperation.
We look for civilian service applicants who are willing and able to spend between four and six months in one of our departments, at our headquarters in Geneva.
We offer a worthwhile civilian service experience in which you can grow your potential and explore and contribute to our activities and mission.
During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to learn and be coached by our teams.
PROFESSIONALS IN VOCATIONAL REINTEGRATION PROGRAMMES
We offer opportunities to professionals enrolled in vocational reintegration programmes who wish to explore, increase their knowledge of or join the international cooperation/humanitarian sector.
- What we look for
Professionals enrolled in local vocational reintegration programmes in the Swiss cantons of Geneva or Vaud who are willing and able to spend between three and six months in one of our departments, at our headquarters in Geneva. You may already be in touch with one of our partner agencies, such as the Cantonal Employment Office (OCE), Swiss Workers’ Mutual Aid Organization (OSEO) or Syni.
- What we offer
We offer an exciting opportunity to support, explore and contribute to our activities and mission. You will also have the chance to develop your competencies, work closely with our teams and grow your network. You will learn more about how our organization works and gain insight into the different issues we face.
INTERVIEWS AND VIDEOS
Find below several testimonials of our Graduates.
- Interview with Digvijay Rewatkar, Associate in the Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy division
- Interview with Annuka Bathija, Associate in Forensic Unit
- Interview with Kevin Karlen, Legal Associate Adviser
- Interview with Ahmad S. Mohseni, Economic Adviser Associate
- Interview with Saman Rejali, Associate in Law and Policy Forum
- Interview with Mathilde Michel, Associate in the Communication and Information Management
- Interview with Elena Maria Hernandez Martinez, Cross Media Associate
- Interview with Malvika Verma, Associate in Protection of Civilian Populations Unit
- Interview with Juliana Severe, Communications Associate for Learning and Development
- Interview with Goda Leseviciute, Talent Attraction Associate
- Interview with Kyu Tae Kim, Resource Mobilization Associate