Recruitment of Health staff: General Information
The ICRC, a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organisation is mandated by the international community to be the guardian and promoter of international humanitarian law, works around the world providing assistance and protection to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.
ICRC Health programs are designed and implemented according to a public health approach while reassuring that the health needs of patients / victims / detainees are fully addressed at different levels of care; First Aid, primary health care, hospital, health care in detention, physical rehabilitation and mental health and psychosocial support.
Health activities in armed conflicts and other situations of violence remains a pillar of the ICRC’s identity. The ICRC implements its health programs mainly through support to the local health structures and ICRC independent health facilities with a particular focus on quality of care, professionalism and proximity to the victims
In line with the Health Strategy 2014-2018, the ICRC aims to excel and set the standard in three domains:
First Aid, Primary Health Care (PHC) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), will support the three domains, integrating where necessary to ensure the continuum of patient care.
1. Vacancies (field assignment)
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-surgeon.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-anesthesiologist.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/current-vacancies/fd-obstetrician.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/current-vacancies/fd-emerg-room-spec.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-nurse.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-ot-nurse.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/current-vacancies/fd-lab-tech.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-phc-doc-nurs.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/always-in-demand/fd-doctor-det-welfare.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/current-vacancies/fd-orto-pro.htm
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/job/current-vacancies/fd-physiotherapist.htm
2. General requirements
All persons willing and able to work with the ICRC are required to apply on-line, through the ICRC website (http://www.icrc.org/eng/who-we-are/jobs/index.jsp). Certain criteria apply to everyone, such as health and fitness, valid manual drivers licence, language skills and clean criminal record. In most cases family can not accompany the delegate on a mission. Missions generally range from 3 months to 1 year, occasionally shorter or longer. The ideal age is 30-50 years.
Applicants are expected to understand the basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the Mission of the ICRC.
The delegate needs to be able to work as a part of a multicultural team, both from a professional and personal perspective and may need to take part in work activities outside their traditional tasks, such as carry boxes, setting up tents etc. Management and team leading experience and abilities are commonly required.
Skills transfer is a common practice of all delegates, more in some programs and professions than others. Ability to do on-the-job training and in some instances a more formal training is a common requirement as well as coaching local colleagues.
The delegate will need to be willing and able to cope in precarious environments, which may include long field trips on rough roads, sleeping in a tent or in common living quarters and volatile security contexts. Workload can vary from excessive to a stand-by situation. Pathologies are likely to be different from home. In most contexts, only essential medical supplies, technology and equipment will be available.
Health professionals are required to present a valid licence to practice in their home country (professional or specialist registration). International experience with other humanitarian organisations or in countries where resources are limited is an asset. In general post graduate experience in the field of expertise of 3-5 years is required.
Language skills required depending on the context: Fluency in English and/or French. In some contexts Spanish, Arabic or Russian may be a requirement for certain positions.
In general the Health Unit is interested in recruiting motivated health professionals with a humanitarian commitment that are available for short or long missions preferably over a period of time.
The ICRC Health is present in 80 countries providing a range of assistance programs.
3. Hospital care
Programs
– Hospital management,
– Surgery,
– Internal medicine (communicable and non-communicable diseases),
– Paediatrics, neonatology,
– Gynaecology-obstetrics, and
– Emergency medicine.
HR needs and specific requirements
In general, a surgeon should not be younger than 35 (credibility) or older than 60 (fitness). Exceptions are made to both ends on a case by case basis.
A general surgeon that is up to date in emergency surgery (acute abdomen, caesarean section, incarcerated hernia etc.) and damage control surgery; soft tissue management; severe abdominal injuries; life threatening thoracic injuries; and limb injuries (70-80% of weapon wounded pathologies), which includes debridement of soft tissue and fracture (which may include amputation) and stabilization of the fracture with POP, traction or external fixation. All surgery of weapon wounded is performed within the ICRC war surgery principles, hence participation in the ICRC war surgery seminar is mandatory.
One supervised ICRC mission (minimum 1-mth) prior to being deployed as a single team surgeon is required when possible.
Additional courses are useful, in particular hands on courses such as: ATLS, DSTC, DSTS, and STAE.
As the surgical teams’ physician general medical skills are required and resuscitation skills, ability to work alone and to use draw-over system and regional anaesthesia in austere environments.
Consultants in the relevant speciality. Humanitarian experience an asset.
In general Nurses and Midwifes are required to have solid work experience in their field of work which includes operating theatre, surgical, intensive care, emergency room, medical and paediatric nursing. Other domains include Nurses and Midwifes with management and or training background and experience.
Biomedical-, Laboratory/Blood Bank-, and X-ray Technicians are required to be able to work with basic / essential technology. Physiotherapists, see Physical Rehabilitation below.
Academic training (or relevant experience) in Hospital Management or Hospital Administration. Project management training and experience is an asset. Minimum 5-years’ experience in the relevant field and humanitarian experience a great asset.
4. Health Care in Detention
Programs
Response to life threatening conditions (typhus, cholera, and acute malnutrition).
The treatment of TB and HIV is specifically addressed, in close collaboration with donors and institutions.
The health consequences of ill treatment and torture are a priority.
Support penitentiary health system development where relevant.
HR needs
Public health Doctors and Nurses, Nutritionists, Laboratory Technicians. Applicants go through a recruitment process prior mission, which includes a one-week workshop (held twice per year) where final evaluation at the end of the workshop is done; a mandatory passing of a Health Care in Detention CD-course; and acceptance of a letter of motivation.
5. Physical Rehabilitation Programs
Programs
ICRC’s Physical Rehabilitation Programs are aimed at ensuring access to appropriate physical rehabilitation services, including mobility devices and physiotherapy and is designed to help create or strengthen high-quality national services and to make them accessible and sustainable.
HR needs and specific requirements
Orthotist-prosthetist (OT) with ISPO Cat.1 or equivalent training and at least three-year professional experience in the manufacturing of orthoses and prostheses.
Physiotherapists (PT) work either in rehabilitation or hospital programs and thus will require at least three-year pre-mission professional experience in either of these domains. They must have practical hands on experience; may be required work closely with surgeons regarding fracture management (in hospitals); and are likely to be dealing with spinal cord injured, amputees and to a lesser extent children with disabilities (cerebral palsy, club foot etc.).
6. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Programs
The first priority is to assist and protect families of the missing through the accompaniment model.
The second priority is to address the MHPSS needs of victims of sexual violence, their families and communities.
The third priority is integration of MHPSS into Health Care in Detention programs
Other activities include integration of MHPSS into other health programs (hospital, PHC, FA, PRP)
HR needs
Psychologists and Psychiatrists with a minimum of 2-years humanitarian experience in both Mental Health (clinical) and psychosocial (community) activities.
7. Primary Health Care (PHC)
Programs
The ICRC’s first priority is greater involvement in vaccination campaigns, in particular in difficult to vaccinate areas.
The second priority is to reinforce reproductive health (antenatal and postnatal care including family planning services and care of the new-born).
The third priority is responding to the clinical needs of victims of sexual violence, their families and communities in integration with the MHPSS component.
Last but not least, treatment of acute malnutrition.
HR needs and specific requirements
In PHC programs we have different health professionals depending on the program. Unless a specialist (nutritionist, midwife, paediatrician, general practitioner) the PHC staff are Health Delegates: Nurses, Midwives or Doctors with a public health background and a valid licence to practice in home country. Previous humanitarian experience is an asset.
About the International Committee of the Red Cross
The ICRC, established in 1863, works worldwide to provide humanitarian help for people affected by conflict and armed violence and to promote the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it employs some 12,000 people in 80 countries; it is financed mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.
