The International Committee of the Red Cross
Managing Across Cultures
Case study
Reference no 408-061-1

This case was written by Sowon Kim and Professor Susan Schneider,
HEC-University of Geneva. It is intended to be used as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. The case was compiled from published sources.
© 2008, HEC-University of Geneva.
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408-061-1

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS:
Managing Across Cultures

This case was written by Sowon Kim, Ph.D. candidate, and Susan Schneider, Chaired Professor of Human
Resources Management at HEC – University of Geneva. The case was made possible through the generous cooperation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The case is intended as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation.
© 2008 HEC – University of Geneva. All rights reserved.
No part of this [publication may be copied, stored, transmitted, reproduced or distributed in any form or medium whatsoever without the permission of the copyright owner.

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Introduction
Jacques Stroun, M.D., Director of Human Resources at the ICRC was at his desk thinking about the future of the Red Cross. In the past 140 years of its existence, ICRC had provided humanitarian relief in most of the major crises, helping millions of people around the world, he noted with pride. Dr. Stroun, an ICRC veteran of 28 years, had worked in Cambodia and El
Salvador before coming to headquarters (HQ) in Geneva. Back at HQ, he had successively taken up posts as Head of Detention Division and as Deputy Director of Operations. In 1999 he was appointed Director of Human Resources and Finance. J. Stroun had witnessed over the years the evolution of the ICRC into a "humanitarian" multinational organization. More and more staff, in the field as well as at HQ, now came from around the world. In 2006, the total workforce of the organization was over 14,000 representing over 105 nationalities.1
Until recently, the Red Cross was considered to be "very Swiss", even some would say "very
Genevoise". Due to its founding fathers and Geneva home base, values of neutrality, independence, discretion and humanism were firmly implanted. In 1992, expatriate positions became open to all nationalities. Still, 93% of expatriates remained "westerners", although the number of expatriates from Africa, Asia and Latin America was beginning to rise.
Nearly all those recruited in Geneva were sent to the field as expatriates and were expected to
"hit the ground running", a "learning by doing" approach. Field managers, operating under sense of danger and urgency, were mostly concerned with meeting the immediate challenges.
The focus was on the short term and on taking action in crisis situations. Operating in these conditions quickly develops and reinforces the importance of teamwork and team loyalties.
However, as expatriates change positions every 12 months (representing more than 1,000 rotations per year2) teams form and re-form very quickly, rarely keeping the same personnel for an entire year. Thus there was neither the time for formal training nor the continuity for developing people.
In the past, careers evolved informally, with little planning, and were mainly developed through interpersonal networks and driven by opportunities. As most recruits stayed for only two to three years, not much thinking was given to management development: "Working for the ICRC was like an initiation rite taking place after the completion of general education and prior to assuming full career and family responsibilities." 3 Those who remained with the organization and reached the top at HQ were most male Swiss delegates ("operations" types) who had developed strong bonds from having been in the field together. Now, there was greater diversity in the management ranks including more professionals, foreigners and women. The new strategic plan for 2007-2010 made clear the challenges for human resource management. The plan established three management priorities : multidisciplinary action, greater accountability, and increased efficiency through results based management. The plan also called into question the role of HQ. What should be centralized or decentralized? What
1

From this number 869 works at HQ in Geneva, 1,343 are expatriates (delegates and professionals) and 11,805 are Host Delegation Employees (HDE)1. In addition there is 157 staff seconded from National Societies and 29 locals on ad hoc missions.
2
The rotation depends on the position/function of the expatriate. In the first two years expatriates change position every 12 months. Managers in the field change position every 18-24 months. Professionals may change every 3 months.
3
Saner, 1990: 764.

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408-061-1 policies and procedures needed to be standardized to achieve efficiency and coherence across operations while ensuring the flexibility needed to respond swiftly and appropriately?
The challenges specific to HR included clarifying roles and responsibilities and putting in place a results based performance management system. The action plan also called for increasing the number of staff available for rapid deployment as well as reinforcing the geographical and hierarchical mobility for staff members. Furthermore what was needed was to provide management development and career planning to align individual interests and competencies with the organizational needs and priorities. The HR challenge was also to take into account the growing diversity, but particularly with regard to promoting women to top management positions. According to Jacques Stroun,
Nous étions une entreprise constituée de collaborateurs suisses généralistes, nous devenons une entreprise multiculturelle et professionnelle. (We were an organization made up of Swiss generalists. We are becoming a multicultural and professional enterprise.)
Facing these challenges, he wondered what would be necessary to ensure that the ICRC adapted to these strategic demands while preserving the culture that he believed was critical to upholding its mission of neutral, independent humanitarian action (NIHA). He believed strongly in the ICRC culture and that it would override any concerns related to the growing diversity. Yet he worried to what extent the ICRC culture might get in the way of implementing the new strategic plan and the HR policies that would be required. Just then JS heard a knock at the door; his HR team was waiting for their scheduled meeting to discuss these challenges.
The Humanitarian Sector
Evolution and Trends
In the last decade, the world has witnessed a massive increase of both natural and man-made disasters. Following 9/11, these confrontations have taken on a global dimension (as seen in the globalization of terrorist activities). In 2003, 200 million people were affected by natural disasters 4 and 45 million by complex emergencies (civil wars being the most common example) which required life-saving assistance.5
While the extent of warfare has not changed significantly, the nature of conflicts has. The disengagement of the superpowers following the end of the Cold War led to the emergence of a more intractable type of war. Also, there is greater political instability due to the weak governance capacity of many nation states. Today, armed conflicts are characterized by active and deliberate targeting of civilians, widespread human rights abuses, and the use of crimes of violence as weapons of war.6 Humanitarian action itself has become more politicized. Even providing water could be interpreted as an act of war, for example, seen as supporting a new regime. And humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming targets if not victims of violence. 4

As a specific example, in 1998, floods, droughts, storms and earthquakes caused more than 50,000 deaths and economic losses exceeding USD 90 billion. The figure for that year alone exceeds the disaster costs for the entire
1980s. More than 90% of all disaster victims live in developing countries. For more see OCHA
(ochaonline.un.org).
5
OCHA (ochaonline.un.org).
6
OCHA (ochaonline.un.org).

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The number of agencies and organizations working in the humanitarian sphere has significantly proliferated bringing to the scene more and more players with differing objectives, activities and principles. Over the last ten years, securing funding has become more difficult. Although net aid from Development Aid Committee (DAC) had gradually increased from 1997, when it was at its lowest level, foreign aid (as measured in terms of percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) had fallen sharply for the previous five consecutive years. The main donor governments thus engaged in a process of collective reflection in order to encourage professionalism, coordination, results and greater accountability towards donors as well as beneficiaries.
The United Nations (UN) humanitarian system has embarked on a process of reform. In 1992, former UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali proposed An Agenda for Peace7 which aimed to integrate humanitarian activities, the political agenda and military operations under a common direction. Although the original policies are still in place, implementation remains selective, on a case by case basis, as no universal criteria for military humanitarian intervention has yet been agreed upon. Still, the vision remains as the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) hopes to integrate all (UN and non-UN) operations to be managed as a global humanitarian system.
For some actors, involvement of military actors in humanitarian operations is seen as a natural evolution caused by the growing number of peacekeeping operations8 as well as the growing need for protection of aid workers. However, other actors have a strong conviction that independent humanitarian action is necessary to achieve impartiality and neutrality and therefore should be institutionally separated from the UN's political-military activities. They strive not only to maintain their autonomy but also to be clearly differentiated from UN or UN affiliated organizations reinforcing the strength and importance of their "unique" organizational identity.
Many activities initiated by the UN agencies, for example in refugee camps, are decided at headquarters in New York to be implemented in the field -- a centralized and top down approach. The ICRC prides itself with starting in the field in order to identify local needs and then deciding what to do -- a bottom up approach. Thus, not only does the field take initiative by making proposals to hierarchy, but also has more autonomy compared with other organizations which are to varying degrees affiliated with or financially dependent on the UN.
Working in the humanitarian sector implies being ready to respond to continuous crises. In the case of armed conflict, its very nature -- danger, unpredictable precipitous change, hardship, and chaos -- contributes to a level of stress and burn-out that is seen in few other types of organizations. Performance is not about profit, but about the survival and integrity of individuals and groups of people. Discussions about "employee security" are not about keeping position (status, salary or benefits) but about keeping life and limbs. Not surprisingly, this may lead to a high turnover rate of expatriate staff which may limit staff experience and institutional memory. In the last twenty years, humanitarian operations have become less characterized by "crisis and emergency" and more by rehabilitation and development aimed at developing local competencies.

7

Agenda for Peace set out the main principles by which the UN intended to take the lead on preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peace-keeping and post-conflict peace-building through the usage of the UN military force in order to implement these strategies.
8
Maecrae, 2002: 9.

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The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. Also known as the International Red Cross or the Red Cross Movement, it embodies the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and over 180 National Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (a.k.a. National Societies or NS) (see exhibit 1).
Though the functions of the three entities (ICRC, IFRC, NS) differ, the Red Cross Movement is bound by a common heritage and a commitment to the seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality (see exhibit 2). These principles were first proclaimed at the 20th International Conference of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent in 1965. While independent, the organizations often work as partners in implementation of certain policies.
The IFRC (International Federation) differs from the ICRC in that it focuses on natural or technological disasters. They offer support to the public sector through social service activities and/or assistance during disasters (relief operations). Furthermore they aim to strengthen the NS (National Societies) which are responsible for both relief and development activities in their respective countries. The cooperation with the network of National
Societies, gives the ICRC and IFRC a uniquely broad base of action as it includes tens of millions of members worldwide.
Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement. The ICRC has been given the role of guardian of the Red Cross Principles and of
International Humanitarian Law. 9 In order to be admitted to the Red Cross Movement, potential National Societies must first be recognized by the ICRC. In the same vein, signatory states to the Geneva Conventions10 and Protocols11 are obliged to allow the ICRC to monitor the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in conflict situations. In recent years
IHL has been challenged especially in respect to non-international armed conflicts, as seen in the detention facilities related to post 9/11.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
History
In 1859, Swiss businessman Henri Dunant, witnessed the War of Italian Unification and wrote his impressions in A Memory of Solferino.12 In a single day, the war between the Austrian and
French armies had left about 40,000 dead and wounded. Horrified by the sight of thousands of soldiers from both armies left to suffer for lack of adequate medical services, Dunant
9

IHL (known also as the law of armed conflict or the law of war) is the body of rules which, in wartime, protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities. Its central purpose is to limit and prevent human suffering in times of armed conflict.
10
The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 are applicable in international armed conflicts. They stipulate that persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including those who are suffering and those placed outside the combat, shall be cared for without discrimination. Art. 3, common to all four Conventions authorizes the ICRC to offer its services in the event of a civil war on the territory of one of the signatory States, and accords minimum protection to the victims of such situations.
11
The Additional Protocols of 1977 supplement the Conventions by developing the protection of civilians in time of war and extending the criteria for the application of humanitarian law to cover the new types of conflict.
12
The book was published in 1862.

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408-061-1 proposed two strategies to limit the suffering of victims of war. They were : 1) the formation of national relief societies to supplement armed forces with medical services in time of conflict; and 2) the development of an international convention to protect the sick and wounded in combat. In 1863, Dunant and four other Genevois13 founded The International
Committee for Relief to the Wounded in Time of War which became the ICRC. The
Committee supported the development of the first National Societies, and prompted the Swiss government to convene a diplomatic conference which developed the Geneva Convention of
1864.
The Red Cross largely reflects Swiss values such as autonomy, egalitarian, and consensus seeking (see exhibit 3) shaped by its history. Independent in 1815 (Congress of Vienna), the integration of the then 22 cantons (states) 14 implied a continuous effort of balancing the different needs of the cantons and further the cantons' tradition of self-rule with that of central government. Consequently, Switzerland adopted the use of referendums and a federal constitution in 1848 -- a central authority existed but the cantons had the right to selfgovernment on local issues.
The early years of the ICRC was dominated by Geneva's "first families". Eventually, SwissItalians and Swiss-Germans were accepted under the condition that they mastered oral and written French and conformed to the Swiss-French culture. Today, ICRC is officially bilingual (French and English). But while English dominates both in the field and in certain functions such as public relations, French dominates the HQ and is considered necessary for advancement to top management positions. Furthermore, French remains important to the identity of the ICRC as it differentiates it from other UN and humanitarian organizations.
The ICRC adopted a Red Cross on a white background as its emblem (perhaps an inverted version of the Swiss Flag -- white cross on a red background). The adoption of the Red Cross has provoked continuous controversy as the cross also symbolizes Christianity. Despite the adoption of the Red Crescent15 by Muslim countries, Israel's request in 1949 to use the Star of
David was refused. Israel, in turn, refused to use the Red Cross emblem blocking it from being admitted to the Red Cross Movement. Currently over 170 countries use the Red Cross and 30 use the Red Crescent.16
It was not until December 2005, after six years of negotiations, that the Red Crystal was adopted as one of ICRC's official emblems17 (see exhibit 4). This emblem was chosen as it was considered to be a sign of purity and transparency, a neutral symbol free from any religious, cultural or historical reference. Now countries have the choice to use one of the three emblems (the Red Cross/ Crescent/ Crystal) or up to two emblems together (e.g. the Red
Cross inside the Red Crystal). Nevertheless, François Bugnion, the ICRC Director of
International Law and Cooperation, proclaimed, "There will not be a Red Crystal on the flag

13

Gustave Moynier, Dr. Louis Appia, Dr. Théodore Maunoir, and Général Guillaume-Henri Dufour.
Currently the Swiss Confederation has 26 cantons : Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden,
Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel,
Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, and Zürich.
15
In 1876, during the Turkish-Russian war the Ottoman Empire decided to use the Red Crescent instead of the
Red Cross as it was taken as an offence to Muslim soldiers.
16
The Red Lion and Sun (originally a Persian symbol) is another official emblem which has not been in use since 1980.
17
Joining the Red Cross and Crescent: A red crystal. International Herald Tribune, Nov. 26-27, 2005.
14

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408-061-1 flying above the ICRC in Geneva" (Il n'y aura pas de cristal rouge sur le drapeau flottant audessus du CICR).18
ICRC Strategy 2007-2010: "Committed to meeting new challenges through action"
In 2006, the ICRC directorate identified key internal and external challenges and raised the following issues : Given increasing competition in the humanitarian sector and the diversity of situations of armed violence, what should be the scope of action or range of ICRC activities?
Should the ICRC go for a niche strategy? What type of relationships should they establish with partners and competitors? What should be their role in the humanitarian sector?
After intensive consultations at ICRC, HQ and Heads of Delegation in February and March
2006, the directorate designed its strategy for 2007-2010, set management priorities and established action plans.
•
•
•
•

As its core mission, the ICRC will keep developing an "all-victims and all-needs approach" in armed conflicts.
To establish partnerships with National Societies.
The ICRC confirms its ambition to remain the reference organization for matters pertaining to international humanitarian law.
The ICRC will continue to assert its identity as a strictly humanitarian, impartial, neutral and independent organization.

Mission
"The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles." The ICRC achieves its mission through three main field activities: Protection, Assistance and
Prevention.
Protection includes : 1) protecting the civilians; 2) protecting the detained (e.g. visiting those deprived of freedom in connection with the conflict); 3) tracing (e.g. restoring and maintaining contact between family members separated by conflict, facilitating reunification and keeping track of individuals deprived of their freedom); and 4) finding missing people. In
2005, ICRC visited 2,594 places of detention in over 80 countries and collected and delivered some 960,000 messages in order to help maintain contacts between family members (HR
Executive Forum, 2006)
ICRC takes particular pride in being "first in and last out" of any war zone. For example, when all the NGOs from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries evacuated during the air strikes in Bosnia in 1995, ICRC remained and provided humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of Serb civilians.

18

Levy, L. Tribune de Genève. Dec. 5, 2005.

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Assistance includes: 1) relief/economic security activities aimed at helping victims meet basic survival needs (e.g. distribution of food and non-food aid, and emergency agricultural and veterinary assistance); 2) water and habitat services; 3) health care services (i.e. caring for war wounded, supporting existing health services, and improving situations for water, sanitations and nutrition that are disrupted by conflict); and 4) physical rehabilitation (for the disabled).
ICRC encourages interventions that improve the economic security of a population. For example, ICRC vaccinated camels in Somalia in order to prevent sickness and/or death of the animals. This, in turn, increased the price of camels thus improving purchasing power and enhancing the local economy. By these actions, ICRC can improve the local economy as well as circumvent war lords which often hijack and redistribute provisions offered directly by
ICRC or other NGOs.
Prevention includes spreading the knowledge of the Fundamental Principles of the
Movement and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as mentioned above. The ICRC aims to be seen as the referent and to promote IHL as a means of prevention. Although the ICRC has tended to keep a low profile ("Don't speak too loud or too often!"), it will mobilize the press to bring international attention to violations of IHL (e.g. Rwanda, Guantánamo Bay).
"The ICRC will strive to remain the standard-setting organization in the field of international humanitarian law. It intends to promote the law and to have it recognized and applied as the relevant law in any armed conflict. It will continue to clarify and develop the law taking into account the real nature of conflicts in today's world and working to prevent any erosion of the protection afforded to civilians and persons who are no longer fighting." (ICRC Strategy
2007-2010)
One of the key objectives is to gain access to victims and to engage in dialogue with all parties involved in the conflict. This involves being known, understood and accepted by these different actors. This is sometimes difficult given that the ICRC is identified as a "western" organization and therefore associated with the U.S. or the UN. In order to ensure collaboration particularly in Muslim countries, the ICRC has had to invest more time in explaining who they are, how they work, and how they are different and independent from these other organizations. Furthermore, they stress the link between Islamic principles and IHL as universal rather than western principles.
Funding
The annual budget in 2006 was 1,015.9 million Swiss Francs.19 ICRC maintains itself based on a double system of compulsory and voluntary contributions. Its revenue come from member states of the Geneva Conventions (governments), supranational organizations (e.g.
European Commission), National Societies, and public and private donations (see exhibit 5).
The Donor Support Group was created in 1998 with 11 founding members of the most generous government donors and the European Commission (10%). In 2005 it had 16 members whose contributions financed 78% of ICRC expenditures. Most of the funding comes from voluntary donations making it dependent on the goodwill and generosity of the international community.

19

From which 964.4 million were for emergency appeals and 151.5 million were HQ appeals. The total contributions received in 2006 were 943.2 million Swiss Francs (ICRC annual report, 2006).

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The ICRC has progressively worked with the private sector in order to expand the collaboration between itself and the corporate world. In 2005, this initiative has culminated into the creation of the Corporate Support Group (a group of Swiss-based companies selected based on strict ethical criteria). These corporate partners are expected to donate a minimum amount of three million Swiss Francs over a period of six years. Donations from the business community account for less than 0.5% of the ICRC's overall expenditure; the organization's objective is to bring this share to 3%.
The ICRC funding process provides it with enough reserves to be able to launch operations without having to appeal to donors first. It is often more effective (and more convincing) to appeal to donors based on past performance and ongoing operations than for "envisioned" projects. This approach -- driven by necessity rather than by budgets or resources -- means that money per se is often not considered as an issue. However, in reality money is becoming more of an issue, especially in the last five years as there has been a gradual reduction in the funding of humanitarian activities.
Organization
The governing bodies of the ICRC are the Assembly, the Assembly Council and the
Directorate (see exhibit 6). These three bodies along with the Presidency20 and Management
Control21 make up the decision-making bodies of the organization.
The Assembly meets five times a year and oversees the entire organization's activities
(defines general objectives and strategy, formulates policy, appoints directors, and approves the budget and accounts). As stated in Art. 7 (Membership of the ICRC) of the Statutes of the
International Committee of Red Cross, 22 the Assembly is composed of 15-25 members all of
Swiss nationality -- considered necessary to guarantee neutrality.
The Assembly Council is composed of five members, all Swiss, elected and delegated certain powers by the Assembly. It prepares the Assembly's activities and takes decisions on issues relating to general policy on funding, personnel and communication. The Assembly Council serves as a link between the Directorate and the Assembly, to which it reports regularly.
The Directorate is the executive body of the organization responsible for applying and ensuring the application of the general objectives and institutional strategy defined by the
Assembly or the Assembly Council. The Directorate is also responsible for the smooth running and the efficiency of the ICRC staff as a whole. Its six members, all of Swiss nationality, are appointed by the Assembly for four-year terms, most recently renewed in
2006.
In the field, operations are managed by "Delegations", numbering around 80 around the world. Country delegations are established in areas of active or recently resolved conflict and are divided into sub-delegations, which usually focus on Protection and/or Assistance activities (e.g. Colombia is considered one delegation but has 12-15 sub-delegations).

20

Jakob Kellenberger is the president of the ICRC as of 2000. The president is assisted by a permanent VicePresident and a non-permanent Vice-President and chairs both the Assembly and the Assembly Council.
21
Management Control is the body which is responsible for independent operational and financial audit.
22
Art. 7 states "1. The ICRC shall co-opt its Members from among Swiss citizens. It shall comprise fifteen to twenty-five Members."

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Regional delegations are established to cover a number of neighboring countries where there are no major active or recently resolved conflicts and are more focused on Prevention activity.
Human Resource Management at ICRC
According to Jacques Stroun, it is often easier to get funding than to find people. By mid
1980, the Swiss labor market could no longer provide the necessary human resources to meet the demands of the ICRC's expanding field operations. Thus they started to recruit foreign staff. The needs were most keen for professionals which were met by seconding staff from the
National Societies. Geneva-based contracts were offered to National Society staff that had had a successful two year record of working with the ICRC. This not only eased staff shortages in a cost efficient manner (as the National Societies paid their salaries and benefits), but also improved relationships with them. In 1986, there were 350 expatriates, 10 years later the number quadrupled.
Staff seconded from National Societies is mostly from the developed countries given these were expensive "donations". One famous example is Bernard Kouchner, a medical doctor recruited from the French Red Cross, who later went on to found Médecins Sans Frontières
(Doctors without borders) and to become the French Minister of Health (and now Foreign
Policy). Via this route, the number of non-Swiss expatriates increased steadily such that by the early 1990s, 30% of the expatriates were non-Swiss. But although the ICRC recruited both
Swiss and non-Swiss professionals, it was only after 1992, with the policy of internationalization, that delegate positions were opened to all nationalities. By 2006, 53% of expatriates were non-Swiss (see exhibit 7).
Delegates are generalists, responsible for managing the overall operation in a specific area.23
They are responsible for negotiations, protection activities, coordination of specialists, and to ensure that different activities are well integrated. The delegate function was, and continues to be, the core function from which the leadership cadre (managers) is chosen. The main function of the local staff is that of support. And although an increasing number of local professionals (30%) exist, the number of local managers remains small (5%).
Professionals are specialists, hired to do specific/technical jobs defined by their vocational or professional qualifications. Professionals work either in relief or medical activities (e.g. doctor, nurse) or support services (e.g. engineering, IT service, communications). Initially, professionals could advance in the ranks of their own departments, but could not cross into the delegate status until mid 1980.
Although delegates and professionals work for a common objective and share a common set of values, their different perspectives can be a source of conflict. For example, professionals often seek the "best possible way" whereas delegates tend to be more pragmatic. Professionals place more importance on their technical competence and resist being managed by delegates who they think do not understand the technicalities of their specialization. For example, when delegates proposed to build a clinic in a district, the medical staff opposed the initiative because the area did not have the appropriate conditions, e.g. sufficient water supply to build a clinic.

23

Delegates manage the overall operation only when they become managers. In the first two years, delegates have partial responsibility e.g. visiting three prisoners.

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Nevertheless, as delegates are responsible for coordinating activities and negotiation, they tend to have a better grasp of the "big picture", and are more ready to adapt to the local situation and/or constraints. For example, in Uganda, water and sanitation engineers recommended building a well inside the prison as prisoners had to go outside to get water.
The act of fetching the water, however, had important consequences that the engineers overlooked as it allowed the prisoners to get exercise and maintain contact with the local population. Moreover, delegates are convinced of the importance of being "in the field", in order to gain credibility and develop management competencies. Thus, delegates do not necessarily understand the importance professionals give to training aimed at developing technical/professional competencies instead of spending time in the field.
Recruitment and selection
Twenty-five years ago expatriates in the field would have been young (early twenties), Swiss
Romand (French speaking) with similar backgrounds -- recruited primarily from universities with degrees in political science, economics, law or "lettres" (liberal arts). The new generation of recruits is older (late twenties), more international, speaks more languages, more professional, and often has a more specialized educational background (e.g. degree in humanitarian law). They place a premium on having work that is not only interesting and motivating, but also fulfills their ideals, recognizes their values, and that allows them to express their opinions.24 For these reasons, the ICRC remains a popular choice not only for those graduating from university as applicants of all ages are increasing (more than 6,000 in
2003).
These new recruits are more concerned with their personal and career development as they are seeking a career at the ICRC and not a short term experience. As such, they are more likely during recruitment to discuss issues of salary, contracts, and vacations. Further, as they tend to stay longer, more and more rotations involve families. Therefore, they are more concerned with seeking work life balance. They also expect internet connections to stay in touch with family and friends on a daily basis.
Recruitment is an important and ongoing activity in ICRC as the demand for expatriates is high. The recruitment procedure is highly centralized and rather intensive in order to maintain a certain degree of homogeneity of profiles. After the first stage of selection based on CV, motivation letter and a personal history form, the candidate is invited to a half-day interview with an HR person. Following this interview, the candidate participates in a recruitment day
(journée de recrutement) with seven other candidates, making presentations, and engaging in role plays and simulations. Observed by five former delegates, candidates are evaluated on personal qualities (e.g. motivation, resistance to stress, attitude, and maturity), skills (e.g. capacity to analyze, synthesize, negotiate, and initiate), team work performance (e.g. leadership) and situational reactions (e.g. adaptation to change and managing the unexpected).
Thus, they are recruited less for their technical competences but more for their personal qualities, or "soft skills". The organization recruits approximately 450 expatriates per year and has a turnover rate of 9%.

24

Stevens & Michalski (1994) and Reynolds (1994).

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Training and development
One of the most important training events is that provided to the new expatriate recruits. It is a four week intensive Integration Course -- two weeks off site and two weeks at HQ -- in a group of around 25 people which costs approximately CHF 20,000 to 40,000 per person.
General knowledge is gained through documents, museum visits, conferences, and war films.
Role plays are used to sensitize cultural differences in communication styles, norms, and behaviors. Informal contacts with experienced expatriates who give briefings help to transmit the ICRC spirit and culture. By the end, all new recruits who begin as strangers end up referring to the ICRC as "us". Once the integration course is finished the new recruit is sent immediately on a mission abroad and continues "learning by doing". Expatriates are expected to become operational and autonomous in a short period of time.
The integration course was originally offered to delegates only, however, in the last ten years professionals have been included. Professionals recruited to work at HQ and who have had no field experience, undergo a very general one week integration course. Integration courses are also given by the regional training units to expatriates or National Society staff with contracts of over 6 months as well as some local staff. Training in the field is also provided for heads of units and professionals every 2-3 years.
Career development
There is no formal career planning in the ICRC for expatriates. However, regular discussions about performance and yearly appraisals are held at the end of each mission for all expatriates. In the last two years, career commissions for middle and top management have been created with the purpose of assessing career prospective. Previously (10 years ago), an
Individual Career and Deployment Planning had been introduced to ensure filling management positions and to discuss career possibilities in light of performance appraisals and personal interests. The project was well received but was not fully implemented because the need to urgently fill field positions took precedence. At that time, vacancy rate was over
5%, currently it is under 1 percent.
Occasionally there is a shortage of expatriates. Lack of personnel, from the perspective of
Operations, is not considered to be a valid reason to forgo planned operations. In order to tackle with this challenge, HR has established a "reserve staff" composed of new recruits
(delegates). Currently there are 30 people (1-2 per delegation) who in case of personnel shortage can be transferred immediately. This not only ensures the shortage, but is also a way of giving on-site training to new recruits as they are integrated in the delegations and work with the delegates.
Nevertheless, developing people continues to be a challenge because the nature of the job requires that person be immediately operational. While the main concern of HR is developing people's competences, Operations need people with competences. New delegates are given much responsibility but their missions can fail due to lack of support. Those that do succeed to high positions are often good at "se débrouiller" ("getting around") but may lack more managerial competencies. However, there is little opportunity to discuss how to develop these competencies. Junior expatriates are managed in a standardized manner during the early years of their career, such that discussions regarding career opportunities are rather limited. Personal preferences

13

408-061-1 are taken more into account at the mid-manager level in discussions between managers and
HQ. For local staff, other than a personnel file and a performance appraisal, there is no real career management. In addition, as most local staff is in support roles (60%-70%), few have access to training and opportunities to advance.
Developing local talent may be limited due to political reasons. Those in management positions, delegates or professionals, must be perceived as neutral and impartial. From the perspective of HQ this necessitates expatriates, not locals. In addition, locals cannot take on certain professional roles (for example, as administrators or secretaries) because of issues of trust, especially in handling sensitive information which could put their security in jeopardy.
Furthermore, it may be difficult to find local competence in certain countries. Thus, even if both locals and expatriates are "united" by the ICRC's objectives and values, they remain
"separated" by their status. From the local perspective, expatriates are often stereotyped as
"westerners", and thus considered to be neither sensitive to nor fully understanding of local conditions. Nevertheless there is a growing pool of local professionals or managers who have opportunities for training and advancement as they can now become expatriates.
Problems can arise, however, when locals who have been sent out on ad hoc (6 months) missions as expatriates return to their country of origin. This was the case, for example, when a Pakistani who originally worked at Islamabad as a local became an expatriate and then returned to Kashmir. This raised the issue: "Why is a local being treated as an expatriate (i.e. better benefits such as higher salary, insurance, housing, private schooling for children)?"
Managing the relationship of locals and expatriates who formerly had local status is an increasing challenge. For these reasons HR defined the status of an expatriate is a matter of mobility -- being willing and able to move from one country to another -- rather than nationality. Moving up the hierarchy at the ICRC is based on the "promotion from within" policy. Career paths alternate between the field and HQ where management positions are limited to 2-6 years depending on the post. Experience as a delegate is considered a key factor to access higher posts (at HQ) as credibility largely depends on having had "hands on" experience -- having been through the wars together (Nous avons fait la guerre ensemble). Thus, it is not surprising that 90% of vacancy at HQ is occupied by former expatriates. However, there are often not enough places for those wanting to return from the field.
This brings out two issues. For one, there is a tendency to believe that one can only become manager by having field experience (primarily as a delegate) and that Operations is the only important place to work. Given the high value placed in being "in the field", Operations has a tendency of acting as if it "knows best". As a result, other departments feel less valued.
Further, there exists a "field syndrome" by which managers with field experience working at
HQ tend to manage HQ as if it were the field. Prioritization of projects is rare as most issues are labeled "urgent". Also, a short term perspective tends to predominate over long term strategy. However, as more and more professionals gain access to HQ, and as some departments are now being managed by people without field experience, this tradition is being challenged. For example, in the IT department where there were only people with field experience, the current
Head of Unit for Information Systems is an external recruit who has no field experience. In
HR, the Head of Training has never been in the field, and for the first time an outsider has taken the position as Head of Personnel. Thus at HQ there is a greater need for management

14

408-061-1 based on professional competence rather than on relationships developed in the field, particularly for the upper-echelon positions.
Another issue is that the Operations division remains largely a male bastion. Most Heads of
Delegations are men, and most top management positions at HQ are occupied by men. This remains the case even though there are fewer places where women expatriates are not sent
(either because they are too dangerous or because of local resistance). Also, there exist places where the delegations are all women. Today, 40% of field delegates are women; 42% of women are Heads of Sub-delegations while only 16% are in Heads of Delegations positions
(see exhibit 8).
The problem of getting more women in higher places is in part due to the problem of dualcareers. Many expatriates meet in the field, have families, and continue to pursue their careers. At some point in time (because there are no two positions open and even less likely at the same level as the previous job), one career (often the man's) is prioritized. Sometimes the woman may also get a job in the new location but often in a lower position. Thus, despite the significant increase in numbers of women recruits and expatriates, the higher up the hierarchical ladder, the fewer there are. Efforts to promote gender equality at ICRC have been ongoing since the late 1980s. The "gender equality policy and strategy framework" adopted in
March 2006 has as one objective to achieve parity (a minimum representation rate of 40%) within ten years applicable to all functions and levels of the organization.
--Jacques Stroun returned to his thoughts after talking to his HR team. Stroun himself was convinced that the ICRC culture was crucial to its mission. However, he remained concerned that its very culture could prevent from adapting to the strategic demands of the changing environment. He wondered in what ways the ICRC culture might help or hinder implementing the management priorities and the required HR practices? To what extent would the ICRC culture need to be changed to embrace the growing diversity, but most importantly, to preserve and promote the mission of the Red Cross in a more and more complex world?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.

What are some of the challenges facing the Red Cross at this time?
Diagnose the ICRC culture.
In what ways may the ICRC culture help or hinder implementing the new strategy?
What are the implications for Human Resource Management?

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408-061-1
Exhibit 1 The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

States party to the
Geneva Conventions

International Conference of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent
ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross
Geneva founded 1863

Standing Commission

Council of Delegates

National Red Cross of
Red Crescent Societies

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

16

IFRC
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
Geneva founded 1919

408-061-1
Exhibit 2 The Fundamental Principles of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Humanity
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political,, racial, religious or ideological nature. Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.
Voluntary Service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout it's territory.
Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

17

408-061-1
Exhibit 3 The values shared by the Swiss
(Source: A. Bergmann, 1994)

•

Pragmatism

•

Egalitarian

•

Restrained, serious, sense of measure and order

•

Perfectionism

•

Compromise and consensus

•

Prudence and search for security

•

Individualism, autonomy, independent

•

Strong client orientation

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408-061-1
Exhibit 4 Official emblems of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The Red Cross
The Red Crescent
The Red Lion & Sun (not in use since 1980)

The Red Crystal

19

408-061-1
Exhibit 5 Contributions by Donor Type & Major Donors (2006)

Contributions by donor type in % (2006)

9.00

2.50

8.60

79.80
Governments

National Societies

European Commission

Public and private sources

Governments
National Societies
European Commission
Public & Private

2003
79.90%
6.00%
8.80%
4.30%

2004
80.10%
5.20%
10.30%
4.30%

2005
72.70%
13.10%
9.40%
4.80%

2006
79.80%
8.60%
9.00%
2.50%

Major donors (2006)

250

217.6

million CHF

200
150
97.9

97.1

100

61.9

54.6

50
0
USA

UK

Swit zerland

20

Net herlands

Swedish

408-061-1
Exhibit 6 Organizational Chart

21

408-061-1

Exhibit 7 Percentage of Swiss staff

Geneva and field : all expatriate staff
1996
Swiss
Non-Swiss

2001

2006

70%

59%

47%

30%

41%

53%

Field : Heads of office, heads of sub-delegation, heads of delegation
1996
Swiss
Non-Swiss

2001

2006

95%

80%

69%

5%

20%

31%

HQ : Directors, general delegates, heads of operation, heads of division
1996
Swiss
Non-Swiss

2001

2006

96%

91%

88%

4%

9%

12%

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408-061-1
Exhibit 8 Gender balance

Geneva and field : all expatriate staff
1996

2001

2006

Women

43%

45%

43%

Men

57%

55%

57%

Field : Heads of office, heads of sub-delegation, heads of delegation
1996

2001

2006

Women

17%

22%

29%

Men

83%

78%

71%

HQ : Directors, general delegates, heads of operation, heads of division
1996

2001

2006

Women

19%

23%

23%

Men

81%

77%

77%

23

408-061-1
References
Bergmann; A. 1994. The Swiss way of management. Paris: Eska.
HR Executive Forum held at the ICRC on Mar. 6, 2006.
ICRC. 2006. Annual report 2006. Geneva: ICRC Publications.
ICRC. 2004. Droit international humanitaire. Geneva: ICRC Publications.
ICRC. 1993. The ICRC: What it is, what it does. Geneva: ICRC Publications.
Joining the Red Cross and Crescent: A red crystal. International Herald Tribune. Nov. 2627, 2005.
Levy, L. Tribune de Genève. Dec. 5, 2005.
Macrae, J. 2002. The new humanitarianisms: a review of trends in global humanitarian action.
HPG Report. Humanitarian Policy Group.
Reynolds, A. 1994. Workforce 2005: The Future of Jobs in the United States and Europe, in
OECD Societies in transition: The future of work and leisure. Paris: OECD.
Saner, R. 1990. Manifestation of stress and its impact on the humanitarian work of the ICRC delegate. Political Psychology, 11(4): 757-765.
Stevens, B., and Michalski, W. 1994. Long-term prospects for work and social cohesion in
OECD countries: An overview of the issues, in OECD societies in transition: The future of work and leisure. Paris: OECD. www.icrc.org www.ochaonline.un.org www.oecd.org 24