How does someone become an international aid worker with the Red Cross?

Here at the Red Cross, we can’t do what we do without volunteers! The Canadian Red Cross has a network of over 25,000 volunteers across the country, who use their skills and know-how to help people in Canada and around the world.

We get a lot of questions from people wondering how they can volunteer with the Red Cross as an international aid worker. The simple answer is that while we don’t recruit volunteers to specifically work outside of Canada, we do look to our pool of volunteers to recruit appropriate skilled workers for these operations.

International aid workers work alongside National Society partners, like Red Cross societies from other countries. They are everyday people who use their knowledge to help programs like Mother Newborn Child Health (MNCH), disaster risk reduction, shelter, and organizational development, or provide needed support like translation or medical assistance. International aid delegates are different from emergency response delegates.  

So what does the Canadian Red Cross look for in an international aid worker?

Positions will always require specific qualifications, but the minimum requirements we look for are:

• Motivation and strong commitment to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles
• Available to be deployed for 6-12 months
• Professional qualifications and accreditations appropriate to the position, with at least three years of experience
• Previous experience working in a developing country
• Totally fluent in English (written and spoken) as well as at least one additional language
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive standard
• Valid First Aid certification
• Excellent physical and mental health, able to pass a medical screening process
• Able to pass a security check
• Willingness to complete unpaid training before being deployed
• Leadership and teamwork skills
• Able to use a computer
• Communication skills
• Able to train/mentor staff and/or volunteers
• Solution focused, able to be personally accountable
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• For most positions, it is necessary to be legally eligible to work in Canada

Outside of these requirements, it’s preferred that those applying are fluent in additional languages and have previous experience volunteering with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. 

The first step to becoming a Red Cross volunteer is to apply! You can search for current opportunities on our website, or contact your local Red Cross office.