Detention Doctor, Geneva

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.

Role Purpose Within a detention team, the role of the Detention Doctor is to inform the ICRC’s understanding of conditions of detention and treatment from a health perspective. He/she assesses detainees' health status and access to proper, ethical health care. He/she assesses the needs, and where appropriate and in alignment with the delegation’s detention approach/strategy, plans, implements, monitors and evaluates related projects and activities to improve health. He/she contributes to restoring, improving or maintaining detainees’ dignity.

Responsibilities

Assess needs and plan&implement projects and activities aimed at improving detainees' access to effective health care, their health and nutritional status, and the health system.

Monitor and evaluate these projects and activities. Collect and analyze relevant data.

Share findings and results with other members of the Detention team (Protection, Water and Habitat and Economic Security departments) and the Health team, and write relevant reports.

Establish and maintain contacts/partnerships with external players involved in health care in detention and outside.

Ensure respect for medical ethics by all staff.

Document cases of ill-treatment when needed.

Follow up sick and wounded detainees in line with internal agreements.

Advise and follow up hunger strikers and the medical staff in charge of them.

Train medical staff.

Draw up the annual institutional budget and planning document (Planning for Results).

Relationships

Internally, interact within the Protection and Health departments at the delegation; consult relevant specialists at headquarters on technical issues.

Externally, interact with penitentiary staff and authorities, in particular health-related, and, more broadly, national and local health authorities.

Education&Experience Required

University degree in Medicine (medical doctor).

License to practice in country of residence.

Computer literacy.

Between 3-5 years of professional clinical experience with minimum 2 years of international humanitarian experience.

Sound experience in project management and public health.

Languages

English (C1 or above) is required.

French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian (C1 or above) is a strong asset.

Desired Profile&Skills

Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.

Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment.

Experience in healthcare in detention is a strong asset.

Previous exposure to international human rights issues is an asset.

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.

Benefits

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.

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: 31st May 2026.

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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