Health Delegate

What We Do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and 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 in order 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.

Purpose of the Position

As a Health Delegate, you will help ensure that people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence have access to quality health care, in both emergency and non-emergency settings. Working at field level, you will assess health needs and contribute to the implementation and monitoring of appropriate health responses. You will engage closely with affected communities, ICRC teams, health authorities and humanitarian partners, acting as a key link between them on health-related matters. Your work will contribute to ensuring that ICRC health activities are relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of affected populations, while respecting the organization’s principles of neutrality and impartiality.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Assess and prioritize the health needs of affected populations, considering vulnerabilities, existing coping mechanisms and community perspectives.
• Design and propose evidence-based health responses aligned with international standards, ICRC guidelines and operational priorities.
• Implement, monitor and adapt health activities, including first aid, primary health care, mobile health services and the management of mortal remains, according to identified needs.
• Promote safe access to and continuity of care by connecting ICRC activities with existing local health systems, services and community-based mechanisms.
• Coordinate the availability and supply of medical items, ensuring appropriate ordering, storage and delivery in line with medical logistics standards.
• Train, mentor and support ICRC colleagues and other personnel involved in health projects and programmes.
• Develop and promote Health Care in Danger initiatives aimed at protecting health care services, patients and personnel.
• Monitor the health context and communicate programme results, needs and challenges to relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with communities, health authorities and humanitarian partners, and represent the ICRC on health-related matters.
• Supervise Health Field Officers, where applicable, typically within a team of up to five staff.

Relationships

• Internally: interacts with the head of the ICRC sub-structure, the Health Coordination, and other Health and delegation staff.
• Externally: interacts with local and national health authorities and international and local stakeholders, including community leaders, RCRC Movement partners and NGOs/UN representatives.

Education & Experience Required

• University degree in medicine or nursing.
• Licence to practise in the country of residence.
• 3 years or more of professional clinical experience, plus 4 years or more of public health and international humanitarian experience, including in primary health care in low-resource contexts.
• A postgraduate master’s degree/diploma in Public Health, Tropical Medicine and/or Health Management is a strong asset.
• Additional certification in primary health care and/or epidemiology is an asset.
• Additional training or certification in areas such as Basic Emergency Care (BEC) and Mass Casualty Incident Management (MCIM) is an advantage.
• Previous experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an asset.

Desired Profile & Skills

• Strong leadership, organizational and team-management skills.
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain flexible, resilient and professional in challenging and stressful environments.
• Creativity and resourcefulness when working in resource-limited settings.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and patient-centred care.
• Demonstrates empathy, compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.
• Strong advocacy skills, particularly regarding the safety and security of healthcare workers and patients.
• Good IT and report-writing skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Knowledge of other relevant tools, such as DHIS-2, is an asset.

Languages

• English: Minimum C1 level.
• French or Arabic: Minimum C1 level in at least one of these languages.
• Knowledge of other ICRC institutional languages (Spanish or Russian) is an asset.

Our Operational & Field Constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals.
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field.
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each) or total of 24 months.

What We Offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment.
• Online trainings and onboarding course.
• Generous social benefits.
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere.

Please consult this page for more information on our package offer.

Additional Information

• Type of Position: Mobile.
• Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract.
• Estimated Start Date: Selected candidates will integrate in the pool and will be deployed in the field depending on operational needs.
• Location: Global Field Deployment.
• Application Deadline: 25/10/2026

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.