What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation to ensure a concerted, rational, and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations. 
The First Aid & Prehospital Emergency Care Programme Coordinator, they lead and develops all aspects of the program (quality management, administration and human capital, supports the overall health strategy and its worldwide implementation; ensures that casualties during emergencies benefit from a timely, impartial and effective immediate emergency care support and referred to appropriate further care if needed). Is fully responsible for program related networking in the RCRC Movement and towards other relevant actors ensuring ICRC representation in the development of this health sector. As the coordinator of this health sub-unit works towards further development and/or strengthening of people and organisations involved in first aid and/or prehospital emergency preparedness and response, especially in sensitive and insecure contexts, or with limited resources.
 

Purpose of the position

The FA&PHEC programme coordinator leads and develops further the Prehospital and First Aid programme at Health Unit; ensures the quality, the global management, administration and human capital related in this specific area to ensure that casualties during emergencies benefit from a timely, impartial and effective immediate emergency care support, and if needed, are referred to appropriate further care. Is responsible for program related networking in the RCRC Movement and towards other relevant actors ensuring ICRC representation in the development of this sector.

Reports to (role)

• Head of Health

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develops and defines the ICRC approach in prehospital emergency care and war/ conflict related trauma first aid, considering the contextual requirements from preparedness to traditional conflict/OSV settings or towards new demands in the approaches e.g. urban terrorism;
• Provides solid guidance, develops and plans technical/response trainings to ICRC field FA & PHEC delegates and resident colleague as well as other organisational partners in RCRC Movement, militaries and health authorities and community groups;
• Identifies training needs, designs tailored trainings and contributes to teaching/mentoring activities to ICRC FA&PHEC. Provides technical support to relevant internal and external audiences;
• Oversees the allocation of resources to meet operational requirements; contributes to sourcing, recruitment, and planning of competent staff and validates the technical skills of staff working under her/his responsibility. Also contributes to managing the pool of mobile and key resident staff positions;
• Participates and supports in her/his field in annual planning (PfR), monitoring and reporting of the programs. Provides expert support to Operational Partner for Health and Protection as well as other Health programmes colleagues (PHC, Hospital, MHPSS, WEC) in ensuring solid continuum of care. 
• Conveys the Health Unit’s strategic approach within the Institutional Strategy to relevant internal and external stakeholders and provides them with the necessary technical information for/on programme implementation and follow-up;
• Influences institutional policy decision-making based on best practices by promoting FA & PHEC perspectives in relevant internal fora;
• Represents the ICRC in external fora and academic programmes, shapes the debate in first responders and prehospital care.

Scope & Impact

• Is responsible for achieving the programme’s field, regional and global objectives, including monitoring and strengthening of quality service delivery as per institutional and/or internationally recognized humanitarian standards.
• Contributes to the Health Unit’s vision and strategies and to positioning of the ICRC in relevant technical and non-technical global and regional fora.
• Plans the programme budget at headquarters level.
• Manages the programmes’ headquarters and regionally located team (less than 4 staff members, including the Programme Coordinator).

Relationships

• Internally: on programmatic issues, interacts with other health programme coordinators and management within the Health Unit; other units with the Operation Department (particularly the Programmes division including protection - FAS); and others stakeholders such as Movement, REM, Communication and ICRC Management, at HQ, regional and field levels (Cooperation within the Movement, Protection, Relations with Arms Carriers, Communication, Human Resources, etc.). 
   
• Externally, plays a key role in representing the ICRC in its engagement with the International Red Cross and Red Cross Movement, with organizations/ entities working with the same target population: National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Ministry of Health/Ministry of Defence/Ministry of the Interior, hospital and emergency services (including ambulances/ emergency medical services (EMS)), NGOs and UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF etc.).

Experience and Education background

• Typically 12 years of professional experience
• Bachelor’s degree or certificate/diploma in paramedic science/paramedic practice; nursing or medical degrees are acceptable accompanied with extensive prehospital experience.
• Training in public health a strong asset;
• Qualification as trainer (this could be for Basic Life Support (BLS), Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), First Aid etc.)
• 3 years of professional experience, post qualification in prehospital emergency medical care and first aid;
• Minimum 2 years of experience managing teams, expertise in crisis situations and/or in conflict areas – ICRC field experience is a strong assed added value;
• Strong technical experience in their area of expertise and in training / capacity building;
• Familiar with health information tools (epidemiology and statistics);
• Proven ability to analyze complex health needs and identify priorities.

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work;
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently;
• Communication and organizational skills;
• Proactive communications across the organization;
• Proven representational abilities (speaking and presentation skills);
• Excellent people skills and proven ability to lead a team;
• Fluent command of English and French. Notion of Spanish, Arabic, and/or Russian is/are an asset;
• Computer literacy;
• Advanced knowledge on Results-Based Management / Logical Framework tools;
• Red Cross/Red Crescent experience an asset.

Additional Information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Required Rotation (4 years)
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: August 2025
• Recruiter:  Diara Niang
• Application deadline: Sunday, 8th of June 2025

Are you ready to explore the next chapter of your career? Apply now!

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

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