Health Delegate

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…