Detention Doctor (Geneva (GVA), CH, 32172)

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

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. S/he assesses detainees' health status and access to proper, ethical health care. S/he assesses the needs, and where appropriate and in alignment with the delegation’s detention approach/strategy, s/he plans, implements, monitors and evaluates related projects and activities to improve health. S/he contributes to restoring, improving or maintaining detainees’ dignity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Assesses the needs, and plans and implements projects and activities aimed at improving detainees' access to effective health care, their health and nutritional status, and the health system.
• Monitors and evaluates these projects and activities. Collects and analyses relevant data to this end.
• Shares the findings and results with other members of the Detention team (from the Protection, Water and Habitat and Economic Security departments) and the Health team, and writes relevant reports.
• Establishes and maintains contacts/partnerships with external players involved in health care in detention and outside.
• Ensures respect for medical ethics by all staff.
• Documents cases of ill-treatment when needed.
• Follows up sick and wounded detainees in line with internal agreements.
• Advises and follows up hunger strikers and the medical staff in charge of them.
• Train medical staff.
• Draws up the annual institutional budget and planning document (Planning for Results).

Relationships

• Internally, interacts within the Protection and Health departments at the delegation; consults relevant specialists at headquarters on technical issues.
• Externally, interacts with penitentiary staff and authorities, in particular health-related, and, more broadly, national and local health authorities.

Education and 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 and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Experience in healthcare in detention a strong asset
• Previous exposure to international human rights issues 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: 31st May 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.