Join GRCReady!

The German Red Cross humanitarian surge roster

Our personnel pool for rapid deployment
Pools open for applications Training programme

The German Red Cross (GRC) provides essential humanitarian support worldwide for people affected by crisis situations. Should the need for urgent deployments of delegates arise due to disasters or crises, GRC utilises its humanitarian surge roster (GRCReady) to alert and deploy qualified experts within 72 hours. Deployments last between six weeks and three months.

Where do we deploy to

As a part of the world's largest humanitarian network, our GRCReady members have several international deployment options

International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Secondment to the IFRC through their Rapid Response Mechanism or as team member of an Emergency Response Unit, usually in support to IFRC's response to disasters.

International Committee of the Red Cross

Secondment to the ICRC through their Rapid Deployment Mechanism or as team member of an ICRC Rapid Deployment Unit, usually in support to ICRC's response to an armed conflict or other situation of violence.

GRC offices overseas

Working directly with a GRC office overseas in support of bilateral programmes with its partnering National Society in-country or as team member of a GRC Emergency Reponse Unit in the fields of Health and WASH, in response to disasters and crises.

Deployment duration

Deployment duration: The Surge deployments last up to six months. Surge secondments to IFRC and ICRC last up to four months. If you are looking for longer-term employment opportunities, please check our careers page.

How to become a roster member

Are you interested in joining GRCReady? The steps to becoming a roster member are listed below, and GRC will guide you through the admission process with a series of emails and video calls so that you know at which stage your application is.

Step 1: Create an account in GRCReady

You can create an account in GRCReady at any time. Once your profile has been set up, you will be notified via email when a specific pool opens. Interested candidates can then apply for admission to a specific pool. Should you meet the requirements, you can also apply for several pools.

Note that creating an account in GRCReady does not imply that your application will be screened. You will need to apply for a specific pool so that your application for admission will be considered.

Please find the expected dates of pool openings below. If your pool is not listed with an opening date, it means your pool is currently closed. Please check back later. Our pools are open to all nationalities.

Admission criteria

To apply for admission to GRCReady, candidates need to meet the following criteria:

Availability

​Availability for deployment within 24 months from the time of becoming a roster member and availability for a deployment of at least six weeks

Profile

Expertise in a humanitarian profile of relevance to GRC

Experience

Several years of relevant work experience in your area of expertise

International experience

Experience working overseas or Emergency Response Unit training. Experience in working or volunteering with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is desirable 

Language skills

Advanced English language skills. Further language skills (particularly AR, FR, ES, PT) are a strong asset

Competencies

Behavioural competencies that meet the IFRC competency framework.

If your profile meets our requirements and you would like to register at GRCReady, please use the button below.

Create GRCReady Account

Step 2: Apply for admission to your pool

Once your pool opens for new admissions, we will inform you via email.


DRK-Basisgesundheitsstation_in_Nea_Kavala
Nurses Pool

The pool closed for applications on 15 January 2024. GRC is expanding the surge capacity of its Nurses Pool and welcomes applications from qualified professionals for deployments for up to three months.

DRK Wasserwacht, DRK-Journalistencamp Xanten
Prehospital Emergency Care Pool

Closed 15 November 2023: GRC is expanding the surge capacity of its Prehospital Emergency Care Pool and welcomes applications from qualified professionals for deployments for up to three months.

Foto: Kongolesische Kinerärztin mit einem Säugling und seiner Mutter zur Untersuchung auf Ebola
Midwives Pool

Closed 15 February 2024: The pool consists of practicing midwives who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

Medizinisches Personal in OP-Kleidung operiert in einem Zelt in Haiti
Anaesthesiologists

Closing 15 March 2024: The Anaesthesiologist Pool consists of practicing professionals who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as health delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for six weeks to three months.

Ein Mann und eine Frau in Operationsbekleidung mit Mundschutz und chirurgischen Instrumenten stehen in einem Operationsraum
Surgeons

Closing 15 June 2024: The Surgeon Pool consists of practicing professionals who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as health delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for six weeks to three months.

Helferin Rotes Kreuz auf den Bahamas nach Hurrican Dorian
Security Advisor Pool

Closed 1 June 2023: The Security advisor pool consists of trained specialists who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

Information Management Pool

Closed 1 July 2023: The Information Management pool consists of trained specialists who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

DRK-Basisgesundheitsstation_in_Nea_Kavala
Nurses Pool

The pool closed for applications on 15 January 2024. GRC is expanding the surge capacity of its Nurses Pool and welcomes applications from qualified professionals for deployments for up to three months.

DRK Wasserwacht, DRK-Journalistencamp Xanten
Prehospital Emergency Care Pool

Closed 15 November 2023: GRC is expanding the surge capacity of its Prehospital Emergency Care Pool and welcomes applications from qualified professionals for deployments for up to three months.

Foto: Kongolesische Kinerärztin mit einem Säugling und seiner Mutter zur Untersuchung auf Ebola
Midwives Pool

Closed 15 February 2024: The pool consists of practicing midwives who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

Medizinisches Personal in OP-Kleidung operiert in einem Zelt in Haiti
Anaesthesiologists

Closing 15 March 2024: The Anaesthesiologist Pool consists of practicing professionals who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as health delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for six weeks to three months.

Ein Mann und eine Frau in Operationsbekleidung mit Mundschutz und chirurgischen Instrumenten stehen in einem Operationsraum
Surgeons

Closing 15 June 2024: The Surgeon Pool consists of practicing professionals who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as health delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for six weeks to three months.

Helferin Rotes Kreuz auf den Bahamas nach Hurrican Dorian
Security Advisor Pool

Closed 1 June 2023: The Security advisor pool consists of trained specialists who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

Information Management Pool

Closed 1 July 2023: The Information Management pool consists of trained specialists who have the skills and expertise to be deployed as delegates in an emergency response anywhere in the world for up to three months.

Before applying, please ensure private and professional availability for a deployment within 24 months. Note that surge delegates deploy within very short timeframes. Oftentimes within 72 hours. Should you be a member of another national Red Cross society, kindly consult with them before applying to become a member of our roster. Thank you.

Please also note that surge deployments usually do not last longer than three months and it is unlikely that we can offer you successive deployments. If you are looking for longer-term employment opportunities with GRC, please check our careers page.

Step 3: Further admission steps

We will guide you through the stages of the admission process. The steps are as follows:

  • Background checks
  • Online interview
  • Police / Criminal record check
  • Verification of university / training certificates
  • Completion of online training.

Welcome! Once you have successfully completed all steps, we are looking forward to welcoming you to the roster. You will then be notified of surge alerts via email and you can express your interest in deploying with us.

Would you like to work with us, but you already have a permanent contract with your employer? It may be possible to set up an arrangement where your company or organisation "loan" you to GRC for a deployment while still paying you your usual salary and benefits. GRC would then reimburse your employer at the end of your mission.

GRCReady outbreak response training

Training

GRC offers a variety of online training (via IFRC) as well as face-to-face induction and specialisation courses. Please consult our annual training programme for details.

GRCReady members are required to complete two sets of preparatory online courses on the IFRC learning platform before being eligible to deploy to a surge mission. We will guide you through the stages during the application process.

GRC Annual Training ProgrammeIFRC Learning Platform

Our services to delegates

Insurance

A competitive package of insurance, e.g. health, medical evacuation, accident, personal liability and luggage.

Contract

A GRC delegate contract. Flights at the beginning and end of mission.

Allowance

An additional monthly overseas allowance of between €1,500 and €1,900.

Salary

A competitive salary based on your qualifications and experience. Free accommodation in a hotel or apartment.

Briefing & Support

Onboarding briefing, debriefing and a personal point of contact for your mission. Access to online and face-to-face training.

Leave

Three days leave per month based on a six-day working week.

Psychosocial support

Independent psychological support services at any time.

Technical support

Support from technical managers at GRC headquarters.

Medical check

A medical check  before and if necessary, after your deployment.

Security

An individual security briefing and a 24-hour GRC emergency contact.

Surge Deployments are made possible thanks to the generous support of the German Federal Foreign Office.

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