Before You Apply
Can I apply for more than one position at the same time?
Yes, you are welcome to apply for multiple positions. We recommend applying to roles that best align
with your qualifications, educational background and professional experience. This allows us to better
assess where your skills may be the strongest fit within our organization.
Do I need international and/or field experience to be considered?
Our field staff work in challenging, multicultural environments. For mobile positions, you must
therefore have some international experience, to demonstrate that you can adapt to and work in such
conditions. Any professional experience abroad counts, but experience in a country whose culture is
different from your own is particularly sought after. Non-professional, long-term stays in a foreign
country are also considered an asset.
Field experience is not mandatory, but this depends on the requirements for each vacancy. Of course, having some field experience is advantageous, as it shows you have some understanding of field operations and activities!
Learn more about our organization and what we look for:
Who we are
What we look for
Job categories
Field experience is not mandatory, but this depends on the requirements for each vacancy. Of course, having some field experience is advantageous, as it shows you have some understanding of field operations and activities!
Learn more about our organization and what we look for:
Who we are
What we look for
Job categories
How can I find open resident positions in my country?
You can find our resident positions in the
local
opportunities section.
Click on the Work With Us tab and then select your country of residence.
Can I volunteer or donate?
The ICRC does not take on volunteers. We encourage you to contact your country’s National Red Cross or
Red Crescent Society to discuss opportunities to volunteer with them.
If you wish to make a donation, please visit our donation platform.
Can I apply on the ICRC career website if my country is under embargo?
Because of legal restrictions, you may face challenges accessing our HR system and applying for our job
opportunities if your country is under embargo. Please contact our local HR
teams if you want to apply to the ICRC.
Recruitment Process
What are the steps in the ICRC recruitment process?
The steps in the process may differ depending on the position, but they usually comprise the following:
Application
Application screening
Language test (if knowledge of a specific language is required)
HR interview
Technical interview/test
For more detailed information, please visit our page on the recruitment process.
Application
Application screening
Language test (if knowledge of a specific language is required)
HR interview
Technical interview/test
For more detailed information, please visit our page on the recruitment process.
Can I still apply if I was previously unsuccessful?
You can apply for other opportunities at the ICRC if a previous application was unsuccessful. To
increase your chances, apply for the positions that are most relevant to your profile and check the tips
on preparing your application.
If I am successful, will I need to have a medical check-up before deployment to the field?
Our staff often work in remote areas, where health-care services may not be available and access to care
may be limited or even non-existent. Deploying staff with medical problems in such conditions could put
their lives at risk. For this reason, all new recruits to the ICRC must undergo full medical screening
and obtain a medical certificate. The ICRC considers certain medical conditions particularly carefully.
You can find a list of these conditions, and more information about our medical standards in general,
via this link.
Why do I need a manual-transmission driving licence?
The ICRC works in volatile contexts where there may be security concerns. Our mobile staff may need to
drive a car with a manual gearbox in order to evacuate in an emergency. You must therefore hold a valid
manual-transmission driving licence, and you may be asked to physically prove that you can drive.
Opportunities and Benefits
What benefits does the ICRC offer as an employer?
On top of a competitive salary we offer generous benefits, such as excellent health-insurance cover and
accommodation while on assignment. At the beginning of your contract, you will take part in the Staff
Integration Programme. In addition, we offer a wide variety of in-house and external training
opportunities.
For more details, please check our page on compensation and benefits.
What is the reward package like at the ICRC?
The ICRC’s reward system is designed to embody inclusivity and equity, ensuring that all staff members
and their dependents are fairly and justly compensated. Structured simply and transparently, it offers a
clear, meaningful and competitive package aligned with the ICRC’s mission and supported by a common
job-grading framework and comprehensive policies.
Does the ICRC offer psychological support to its staff?
Yes, we do! The well-being and positive mental health of our employees are crucial in enabling us to
fulfil our humanitarian mission of assisting victims of armed conflict and protecting their rights. The
situations we work in can be stressful, however, and we recognize the impact that this and other
psychological factors can have on people. This is why, for many years now, we have provided
psychological support to our staff members across the globe through our team of psychosocial support
professionals based in different country offices and at ICRC headquarters.
In addition, all employees on mobile contracts attend a medical check-up and briefing before leaving on
assignment and a medical debriefing on their return, both of which address psychological stress related
to the nature of our work.
Can I take my family or partner on assignment?
Sometimes, but because we work in countries affected by armed conflict or other violence, this is not
automatically guaranteed. You will not be able to take your family or partner with you on your first two
assignments (~12 months each). After two years of contract, if you are sent to a country to which you
may take your family or partner, you may request family accompaniment.
Students and Recent Graduates
What opportunities are available for recent graduates and current students?
TThe ICRC’s Associate (traineeship) Programme is open to all new graduates with a maximum of two years
of professional experience, regardless of their age. This traineeship offers paid, full-time positions
of between six and 12 months. We open about 80 positions a year, but not all at the same time. So, to
make sure you do not miss out, set a job alert via this page. This ensures that you will be notified of
open roles.
In addition, some ICRC delegations offer local internship positions based on their needs. Please
check the website of your local ICRC delegation to find such opportunities.
Learn more via this page.
In which countries can I join the ICRC as an associate?
Our associate opportunities are based at headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Candidates of all
nationalities can apply. The ICRC assists with visa procedures and provides a professional identity card
(carte de légitimation) valid for the duration of the traineeship.
Is employment with the ICRC guaranteed after a traineeship/associate position?
While there is no automatic guarantee of employment with the ICRC following the Associate Programme, we
offer a valuable opportunity to grow in a dynamic and supportive environment. Associates are able to
develop their practical skills, gain meaningful professional experience and build a strong foundation at
the start of their careers. All this enhances their potential and overall employability, whether within
the ICRC or in other organizations across the humanitarian and professional sectors.
Field Work and Mobility
What are the criteria for mobile positions?
- Fluent level of English
- Unaccompanied assignments for the first 24 months
- Deployment where your skills are needed
- Manual driving licence
- Professionals only
- International exposure
More info: global opportunities
- Unaccompanied assignments for the first 24 months
- Deployment where your skills are needed
- Manual driving licence
- Professionals only
- International exposure
More info: global opportunities
How long do field assignments last?
Most field assignments last 12 months, though they may range from 3 months to several years
depending on context.
What is the recruitment process for employees on mobile contracts?
To learn more, please visit our recruitment process page.
What are our medical standards?
All new ICRC employees must undergo a medical check-up. The ICRC Senior Medical Adviser recommends
that certain medical conditions (cardiac diseases, respiratory diseases, severe allergies, mental
health issues, severe obesity and severe immunosuppression, for example) be considered with special
attention. Indeed, in most locations where the ICRC works, the necessary medical care may not be
available, access to health care may be very limited or absent, and deployment in these conditions
could endanger the lives of staff with these medical problems.
We recommend that you check
the attached list if you have a medical condition that could preclude recruitment by the
ICRC.
In addition, all vaccines recommended for travel and long stays abroad are considered as mandatory
by the ICRC, including a WHO-recognized vaccine against COVID-19.
Working at ICRC Headquarters
What residency and work permit rules apply to staff members recruited at ICRC headquarters?
Staff members recruited at headquarters are issued with a “legitimation card” that serves as both a residence permit and a work permit. If you already hold a permit or are in the process of applying for one, this may have implications for your existing permit or your application.
NOTE: All new staff members who are nationals of a non-EU/EFTA country must take up residence in Switzerland; the ICRC may pay them a relocation allowance depending on their circumstances. Any subsequent plans to move to neighbouring France (departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie only) will be subject to prior approval by the relevant authorities; any related procedures and costs will be borne by the staff member.
For more information, click here.
NOTE: All new staff members who are nationals of a non-EU/EFTA country must take up residence in Switzerland; the ICRC may pay them a relocation allowance depending on their circumstances. Any subsequent plans to move to neighbouring France (departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie only) will be subject to prior approval by the relevant authorities; any related procedures and costs will be borne by the staff member.
For more information, click here.
What specific tax issues should I be aware of before accepting a position at ICRC headquarters?
The applicable tax rules depend on the staff member’s nationality, place of residence and residence permit; we recommend that you consult a tax adviser or the tax authorities in your canton of residence beforehand. If you are resident in France, you will be required to file a tax return with the French tax authorities, in addition to being subject to withholding tax in Switzerland.
For more information, click here.
For more information, click here.
What social security coverage will I be entitled to?
It is the ICRC’s policy to enrol all members of its staff in the Swiss social security system (OASI/UI/LEC) – old-age and survivors’ insurance, disability insurance and loss of earnings insurance) from the moment of employment, provided they meet the requisite conditions; staff members who do not meet these conditions receive supplementary coverage (death, disability, retirement) through the ICRC Pension Fund, with the exception of unemployment insurance and family allowances.
For more information, click here.
For more information, click here.
What rules apply to remote working and business travel?
Remote working is permitted from Switzerland or neighbouring France (the departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie only) for a maximum of two days per week. If you are resident in France and exceed the annual remote working threshold, set at 40%, you will be subject to double taxation, which will be applied by your country of residence. Please note that, under the agreements in force between Switzerland and France, staff members who are nationals of non-EU/EFTA countries and reside in France are not permitted to work remotely.
For more information, click here.
For more information, click here.
What assistance is available to help me relocate to Geneva or neighbouring France?
Under certain conditions, staff members may be eligible for relocation assistance and a relocation allowance.
For more information, click here.
For more information, click here.
Can I live in neighbouring France if I am a non-European national assigned to headquarters in Geneva?
Not at the start of your assignment. If you are a non-European national, you must first establish your residence in Switzerland using the entry visa issued for your post.
If you later wish to move to neighbouring France, you must first apply to the French Consulate General in Geneva and wait for approval before relocating.
Please note that any steps and costs related to a later move to France, including housing search and moving expenses, are your responsibility and will not be covered by the ICRC.”
General Questions
What does the ICRC do to support work-life balance?
The ICRC recognizes that employees’ work-life situations place burdens and demands on them at
different times throughout their careers. We also acknowledge that flexible working arrangements are
beneficial to the organization as a whole.
The ICRC thus offers flexible working arrangements that are suitable for some roles and positions.
These arrangements may not apply to everyone depending on the nature of the employee’s role or other
operational requirements.
How does the ICRC support diversity and inclusion, inclusive language and cultural differences at the workplace?
At the ICRC, we value the rich diversity of our staff, who come from a wide range of nationalities,
professional experiences and cultural backgrounds. This diversity makes us better able to assist
people affected by armed conflict and other violence. We are committed to fair and inclusive
recruitment, to equal opportunities for advancement, and to achieving gender parity in management as
part of our inclusion strategy.