Established in 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is involved in activities directed toward those affected by conflict and internal violence, such as protection, assistance, mine action, humanitarian diplomacy and distributing aid. The organization also “endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.”

One interesting role is that of “delegate”; you can read an interview with an ICRC delegate in Nepal here.

Delegates carry out duties in any number of countries, establishing contact between separated families, organizing relief operations, and visiting political detainees - on both sides. One of the main reasons why the ICRC is tolerated in almost every country in the world is because it stays impartial. While this may be hard for detainees - as well as delagates themselves - to understand, this neutrality is central to the ICRC.

Candidates for this position should have English and French language ability, good speaking, writing and summarizing skills, a university degree, and the ability to work well under pressure – in a dangerous environment. Two years of professional experience and familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet software are also necessary.

It sounds like the volunteer opportunity of a lifetime, but there’s a catch: there are no clear positions for volunteers. The ICRC hires dedicated staff instead of utilizing volunteers, and I suspect it is quite competitive. But don’t give up hope – if you have a position like this in mind, it can give your volunteer experience direction. Experience in the developing world or even just outside your own country is not explicitly listed, but it is not a stretch to imagine how it shows that you are “open-minded and adaptable.” Volunteering abroad can also give you a better idea of whether this type of work is for you.

If you’re interested in this type of activity and want to volunteer, have a look at the Volunteer Logue Profile of Peace Brigades International.