How to apply to Finnish Red Cross Delegate Reserve

Saara Mansikkamäki
Kuvaaja: Saara Mansikkamäki
"Juan Reyes, the deputy team leader of the Red Cross Emergency Hospital in Nhamatanda, Mozambique 2019"
Emilia Kangasluoma
Kuvaaja: Emilia Kangasluoma
"Midwife Jaana Laine learning the local language with colleague,Shabab Uddin, at field hospital in Bangladesh."
"Finnish Red Cross Delegate Learning Path"

The next round of applications to Finnish Red Cross Delegate Reserve takes place 20.12.2023–6.2.2024 until 16.00 Finnish time. This is the only application period taking place in 2024. Follow us on social media for updates - LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram.

Successful candidates are invited to attend one of the two IMPACT trainings organised in 2024 at Finnish Red Cross Training Centre in Heinola.

The IMPACT trainings in 2024 will take place 13.–19.5. and 26.10.–1.11.

The training fee is 140 euros, with 20 euros discount for Finnish Red Cross members.

The Finnish Red Cross organizes two applicant webinars in January to support those who are interested in applying to the Finnish Red Cross aid worker reserve. The first webinars take place on Wednesday 10.1.2024 at 10.30–11.30 and 17.00–18.00 Finnish time. These webinars are designed to support applicants who work in the medical field and health care. The second applicant webinar designed to support applicants of all fields will be organized on Tuesday 23.1.2024 at 17.00–18.00. More information on the applicant webinars here.

STEP-by-STEP GUIDE to APPLYING 

1. Are you Eligible?

Take time to thoroughly read about Finnish Red Cross delegate reserve and requirements for international aid workers (FinnishSwedish and English) before you begin to apply.

Professionals living in Finland and those living abroad who have a strong connection to Finland can apply for the reserve. Remember, Finnish Red Cross aid workers have specific areas of expertise. If you do not see your area of expertise, that may mean you do not meet the minimum requirements.

Our applicant FAQ may cover some of your initial questions.

If you are an internal applicant (currently employed by Finnish Red Cross), kindly contact your line manager before applying.

2. Create a User Account

Your user account is your personal log-in information to Finnish Red Cross International HR Database REST. It is your email address and a password. You will be using this account each time you update your applicant profile or submit an application.

Click here to create your user profile.

3. Create an Applicant Profile

Once you’ve created your user account, you will need to create an applicant profile.

To create an applicant profile, log in to HR Database REST with your user account. You can update your applicant profile any time.

Before you begin creating your applicant profile, it’s always a good idea to read through what kind of international humanitarian, development and personnel aid Finnish Red Cross provides. We are interested in learning about your prior experience and competencies relevant to a specific area of expertise within Finnish Red Cross international aid as well as your ability to work in demanding contexts representing the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

The applicant profile is your resume. List all relevant information regarding your education, work and volunteering experience, as well as language and IT skills on your applicant profile.

Our team can only assess the information that you have provided. Be sure to include the responsibilities you’ve had in each of the positions and present your technical expertise and/or hands-on skills. 

It is strongly recommended that you supplement your profile by including your English CV in the attachments.

If you apply to the aid worker reserve as a communications professional, please attach relevant publications, samples of work or portfolio in your applicant profile. Please note that in the 2024 aid worker reserve recruitment (20.12.2023–6.2.2024), we are not seeking communications professionals.

Ensure your applicant profile is complete before submitting your application.

4. Submit an Application

Once you’ve created your applicant profile, you will need to fill in and submit an application to Finnish Red Cross Delegate Reserve during an application round.

Check the top of this page for the application deadline.

The application to Finnish Red Cross Delegate Reserve becomes active on HR Database REST under the "Recruitment" tab in "Open positions" once the application round opens. The application process has been divided into the professional competence categories explained on our website (in FinnishSwedish and English).

Please note that you can send your application in ONE PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY only, so choose the one that best fits your professional profile. Your key professional competencies and diverse skills and experience will be considered in the reserve recruitment process. Applications of one candidate in several categories cannot be processed.

The application form must be completed and submitted in one session. It is not possible to edit your application once it has been submitted.

Your application supplements the information you provide on your applicant profile. We are interested in learning more about your skill set, areas of interest within Finnish Red Cross international aid as well as motivation and expectations in relation to our delegate reserve.  

If you apply as a communications professional, be prepared to provide relevant publications, samples of work or portfolio.

Remember, submit your application. Late applications are not accepted.

5. Wait while your application is being processed

Please be patient. 

Finnish Red Cross may contact you during the application process. If you are eligible to apply and meet the requirements, we may invite you to the next part of the application process. 

We conduct background checks on relevant candidates.

All applicants are informed of the results, regardless of the outcome, by the end of March 2024. Applicants will get informed about the next steps of the selection process during the application review period.

6. Invitation to the basic training course International Mobilization and Preparation for ACTion (IMPACT)

Congratulations, your application was successful! The review panel considered all the shortlisted applications together and welcomes you to attend IMPACT, the basic training course for future delegates.

7. After IMPACT

Congratulations! You have now successfully completed IMPACT and are ready to join a network of 900+ dedicated professionals in the Finnish Red Cross delegate reserve. You might need to complete further Finnish Red Cross trainings after IMPACT before you are ready for deployment.

If you encounter problems in the application process or have questions our applicant FAQ doesn't answer, you can contact recruitment@redcross.fi