Stepping into the unknown: Preparing for a first field assignment
Working as a delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an opportunity to support people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence around the world. Every field assignment is different, but the journey always begins long before deployment – with preparation, assessments and personal reflection.
In this article, Eren and Clelia share what inspired them to pursue humanitarian work, how they are preparing for their first field assignments as delegates, and the emotions, questions and expectations that come with such a significant step.
Eren joined the ICRC as an associate in Communication Analytics before becoming an officer with the organization. In 2024, she moved to the Department of Operations as a crisis reporting officer and is now preparing for her first field assignment (known as a mission in the ICRC) as a protection delegate – working to ensure that authorities and weapon bearers comply with international humanitarian law and advocating for the rights of people affected by conflict and other violence. Clelia also began her ICRC career as an associate, later becoming an officer, and is now getting ready for her first field mission as a delegate in Colombia.
So, what does the journey from recruitment to deployment in the field involve?
“It started with the delegate campaign,” Eren explains. “I applied by submitting my CV and a cover letter explaining my motivation. The application process also included practical questions, particularly regarding language skills and driving licence requirements.”
Candidates who progress through the recruitment process complete language and technical assessments, followed by interviews that explore their experience, motivation, resilience and readiness for field work.
It is important to note that successfully completing the recruitment process does not always lead to immediate deployment. Selected candidates join the delegate roster, meaning they are approved for delegate roles. Deployment then depends on operational needs and available positions. Candidates who are available for upcoming assignments are placed in the active candidate pool.
Preparing for a first mission involves much more than packing a suitcase. According to Clelia, learning from those who have already gone through the same experience can help enormously. She says, “One of the most helpful things is speaking with colleagues who have already been delegates. People are usually very willing to share their experiences, and their advice can be both practical and reassuring. They tell you what to bring, what not to bring and how to prepare for daily life. Eventually, you realize the list is essentially endless, so you also have to accept that you will not be able to prepare for everything. You do not always know exactly what environment you will arrive in. It can be urban, rural, remote, or very different from what you imagined. At some point, you simply have to trust that you will adapt.”
The ICRC supports new delegates by providing briefings, organizing handovers where possible and delivering mandatory training that helps them prepare for the realities of their assignment.
Beyond the practical preparations, there is the emotional side of leaving for the field to consider. Starting in a new environment can feel overwhelming, so having a strong support network – both professional and personal – can make a significant difference.
Like many first-time delegates, both Clelia and Eren have experienced moments of doubt.
For Clelia, “There is always the question: will I be good enough? Many of the tasks will be new to me, so it feels like stepping into the unknown.”
Eren reflects on another challenge: “There is also the reality of leaving behind your partner, friends and the life you have built. You know you may miss important moments back home, both happy and difficult ones. That is part of what makes the decision to become a delegate significant.”
These uncertainties are part of the experience, however, as Clelia reminds herself. Rather than trying to predict every situation, she chooses to remain open to whatever lies ahead.
Both Clelia and Eren have thought carefully about how they will cope with the challenges of field life and adapt to a new environment. For them, building routines, creating a sense of familiarity and making time for personal well-being are essential to settling in.
Clelia likes running and yoga but realizes she may not be able to devote as much time to sport as she normally does – at least not immediately. She notes, “The first month may be more about observing and understanding the context. Then, little by little, you can find your routine. It can be a yoga studio, a place where you buy groceries, a local market, or a small habit that makes you feel grounded. Finding your own bubble is important.”
Eren agrees, believing that “making your space feel like home matters. I usually try to bring small things that make a place feel cosy: fairy lights, a coffee cup, maybe a yoga mat, if I can fit it in. It is also important to have hobbies that can adapt to different contexts. Running is not possible everywhere, so I try to think of things I can do in a more restricted space. I like crocheting, painting by numbers and activities that help me focus and stop thinking about everything else for a while.
“Also, you should accept that being scared is normal. You need to be kind to yourself. The first weeks may be difficult, but you will gradually build routines and things will start to feel more familiar.”
Working in the field can be demanding, especially when balancing operational responsibilities with personal well-being. Yet many delegates discover strengths they did not know they had. Curiosity, humility, emotional intelligence and a genuine desire to work alongside people affected by conflict are just as important as technical expertise.
As Eren puts it, “Working for the ICRC is a meaningful opportunity, but it is also demanding. The principles that make the organization unique can also be challenging in practice. Understanding why those principles matter, and what they allow the ICRC to do, is essential.”
For anyone considering a career as an ICRC delegate, there is no single “perfect” profile: our people come from diverse backgrounds and have different experiences. While the journey can be challenging, it is also one of continuous learning, personal growth and the opportunity to make a meaningful humanitarian impact.
Stepping into the unknown: Preparing for a first field assignment
Working as a delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an opportunity to support people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence around the world. Every field assignment is different, but the journey always begins long before deployment – with preparation, assessments and personal reflection.
In this article, Eren and Clelia share what inspired them to pursue humanitarian work, how they are preparing for their first field assignments as delegates, and the emotions, questions and expectations that come with such a significant step.
Eren joined the ICRC as an associate in Communication Analytics before becoming an officer with the organization. In 2024, she moved to the Department of Operations as a crisis reporting officer and is now preparing for her first field assignment (known as a mission in the ICRC) as a protection delegate – working to ensure that authorities and weapon bearers comply with international humanitarian law and advocating for the rights of people affected by conflict and other violence. Clelia also began her ICRC career as an associate, later becoming an officer, and is now getting ready for her first field mission as a delegate in Colombia.
So, what does the journey from recruitment to deployment in the field involve?
“It started with the delegate campaign,” Eren explains. “I applied by submitting my CV and a cover letter explaining my motivation. The application process also included practical questions, particularly regarding language skills and driving licence requirements.”
Candidates who progress through the recruitment process complete language and technical assessments, followed by interviews that explore their experience, motivation, resilience and readiness for field work.
It is important to note that successfully completing the recruitment process does not always lead to immediate deployment. Selected candidates join the delegate roster, meaning they are approved for delegate roles. Deployment then depends on operational needs and available positions. Candidates who are available for upcoming assignments are placed in the active candidate pool.
Preparing for a first mission involves much more than packing a suitcase. According to Clelia, learning from those who have already gone through the same experience can help enormously. She says, “One of the most helpful things is speaking with colleagues who have already been delegates. People are usually very willing to share their experiences, and their advice can be both practical and reassuring. They tell you what to bring, what not to bring and how to prepare for daily life. Eventually, you realize the list is essentially endless, so you also have to accept that you will not be able to prepare for everything. You do not always know exactly what environment you will arrive in. It can be urban, rural, remote, or very different from what you imagined. At some point, you simply have to trust that you will adapt.”
The ICRC supports new delegates by providing briefings, organizing handovers where possible and delivering mandatory training that helps them prepare for the realities of their assignment.
Beyond the practical preparations, there is the emotional side of leaving for the field to consider. Starting in a new environment can feel overwhelming, so having a strong support network – both professional and personal – can make a significant difference.
Like many first-time delegates, both Clelia and Eren have experienced moments of doubt.
For Clelia, “There is always the question: will I be good enough? Many of the tasks will be new to me, so it feels like stepping into the unknown.”
Eren reflects on another challenge: “There is also the reality of leaving behind your partner, friends and the life you have built. You know you may miss important moments back home, both happy and difficult ones. That is part of what makes the decision to become a delegate significant.”
These uncertainties are part of the experience, however, as Clelia reminds herself. Rather than trying to predict every situation, she chooses to remain open to whatever lies ahead.
Both Clelia and Eren have thought carefully about how they will cope with the challenges of field life and adapt to a new environment. For them, building routines, creating a sense of familiarity and making time for personal well-being are essential to settling in.
Clelia likes running and yoga but realizes she may not be able to devote as much time to sport as she normally does – at least not immediately. She notes, “The first month may be more about observing and understanding the context. Then, little by little, you can find your routine. It can be a yoga studio, a place where you buy groceries, a local market, or a small habit that makes you feel grounded. Finding your own bubble is important.”
Eren agrees, believing that “making your space feel like home matters. I usually try to bring small things that make a place feel cosy: fairy lights, a coffee cup, maybe a yoga mat, if I can fit it in. It is also important to have hobbies that can adapt to different contexts. Running is not possible everywhere, so I try to think of things I can do in a more restricted space. I like crocheting, painting by numbers and activities that help me focus and stop thinking about everything else for a while.
“Also, you should accept that being scared is normal. You need to be kind to yourself. The first weeks may be difficult, but you will gradually build routines and things will start to feel more familiar.”
Working in the field can be demanding, especially when balancing operational responsibilities with personal well-being. Yet many delegates discover strengths they did not know they had. Curiosity, humility, emotional intelligence and a genuine desire to work alongside people affected by conflict are just as important as technical expertise.
As Eren puts it, “Working for the ICRC is a meaningful opportunity, but it is also demanding. The principles that make the organization unique can also be challenging in practice. Understanding why those principles matter, and what they allow the ICRC to do, is essential.”
For anyone considering a career as an ICRC delegate, there is no single “perfect” profile: our people come from diverse backgrounds and have different experiences. While the journey can be challenging, it is also one of continuous learning, personal growth and the opportunity to make a meaningful humanitarian impact.