About taking part in a mission

The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency are continuously seeking committed and skilled experts for our humanitarian, resilience and peace support operations. Below, you will find information on how you can get involved.

We work daily to support operations around the globe. We have extensive experience in collaborating with and strengthen organisations such as the UN and the EU, and we contribute in disaster and conflict situations where international cooperation is essential.

Our international operations

The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency operates both within Sweden and internationally during major accidents, crises, disasters and conflicts. With over 30 years of experience, we are active in humanitarian aid, resilience building, and peace support operations.

Read more about our operations

Increasing women’s participation in international operations

To be more effective in international contexts and to reach entire populations in disaster or conflict areas, we actively strive to involve women both among our field staff and within the local communities we serve.
In line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the equivalent Swedish action plan, we aim to increase the proportion of women in our international operations. We also educate our field staff on how to apply a gender perspective in all aspects of our operations.

How to take part in a mission

When recruiting field staff, we use one of two different approaches:

  • Position-specific recruitment: When the time frames allow or we need a specific skill set, we publish announcements for the specific position. You can apply directly and take part in a formal selection process.
  • Roster-based recruitment: For time-critical missions, we often recruit through our Field Staff Roster. The roster consists of experts from various fields who have completed our Induction course. When we need to strengthen our roster with new experts or competencies, we publish roster openings. These announcements are not tied to a specific position at the time of publication.

Read more about our Field Staff Roster

Register on MyPages

If you are interested in becoming field staff, your first step is to register on the web portal, MyPages. Creating an account is a prerequisite for applying to both vacancy announcements and roster openings. The information you provide on MyPages forms your CV when applying. This includes for example contact details, work experience, education and language skills.

Please note: Registering on MyPages does not automatically place you on our roster or guarantee that you will be contacted.

The registration consists of two steps:

  1. Create a new user in the Login Portal.
  2. Create your account on MyPages.

Create a new user in the login portal

Register or login to MyPages

If you encounter any issues with MyPages, you are welcome to contact our MyPages-support: mypages@mcf.se.

Frequently asked questions on taking part in a mission

  • I want to take part in a mission. How do I express my interest?

    Start by registering on MyPages. Once registered, you can apply whenever we post vacancy announcements or roster openings that match your area of expertise. Please note: Registering on MyPages does not mean you are part of the Field Staff Roster. We continuously post both vacancy announcements and roster openings on our website.

    Current mission recruitments

  • What is the difference between being registered on the Field Staff Roster and applying for a vacancy announcement?

    The Field Staff Roster enables rapid recruitment for time-critical missions. It consists of individuals with diverse expertise, who have completed a selection process and our Induction course. When an urgent need arises, we send interest inquires to roster members with the relevant qualifications. A selection is then made among those who confirm their availability.
    For missions where the time frames allow, we recruit through vacancy announcement for specific positions. These positions are not connected to the Field Staff Roster. However, people who are part of the roster can also apply for specific positions.

  • What areas of expertise are there on the Field Staff Roster?

    We aim to maintain a roster of qualified and trained individuals in the following areas:

    • Administration
    • Construction and support
    • Disaster management
    • Environment
    • Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
    • Humanitarian assistance
    • Information and communications technology (ICT)
    • Information
    • Logistics
    • Medical
    • Mine action
    • Emergency response
    • Security

    Read more about our Field Staff Roster

  • May I submit a spontaneous application?

    No, we do not accept spontaneous applications. However, you are welcome to register on MyPages and apply when we post relevant vacancy announcements or roster openings.

    Current mission recruitments

  • May anyone apply?

    Yes, anyone interested in participating in a mission may apply when we publish vacancy announcements or roster openings. However, selection is strictly based on relevant experience and qualifications.

    Language skills – primarily English – are essential. In some cases, other languages such as French may be required.

    Previous international experience is considered a merit and may be a requirement for certain missions. Good health is also important, as missions may take place in areas with limited or inadequate infrastructure. These health requirements are in place to minimize health risks and ensure the safety of both the individual and the team.

  • May I be registered on the Roster with areas of expertise?

    Yes. If you have expertise in more than one area, we encourage you to apply to relevant roster openings. This increases your chances of receiving interest inquiries when we recruit field staff through our Field Staff Roster.

  • Do those registered on the roster receive any training?

    Yes. We strive to ensure that all roster members complete our training courses before taking part in a mission. For example, completion of the Induction course is mandatory before taking part in an international mission.

    The purpose of the training is to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared for mission-specific tasks.

    Training and exercises for those registered on the Field Staff roster

  • What happens after an application for a roster opening?

    If your qualifications match the competency profile, you will be invited for an interview. We will also contact the referees you have listed.

  • How can I gain international work experience?

    We offer a trainee programme for roster members, providing opportunities to gain international field experience. This increases your chances of being selected for future missions.
    We prioritize roster members who have completed the Induction course and strive for gender equality in trainee recruitment. The programme typically lasts between 8 and 12 weeks.

  • When may I take part in a mission?

    As a roster member, you will receive interest inquiries via MyPages, e-mail or telephone. Since our operations are needs-driven, the frequency of inquiries may vary.

    Read more about the mission process

  • When I have been selected for an assignment, how long will it be before I depart?

    Departure usually occurs within 2–4 weeks after acceptance, depending on factors such as visa administration and security conditions. In exceptional cases, departure be arranged within one week.

  • Can I terminate the assignment?

    Yes. A mutual notice period applies during assignments. The length of the notice period depends on your employment contract.

  • What is the duration of the assignment?

    The duration of the assignment depends on the operation. An assignment usually lasts from three months up to one year.

  • How am I insured?

    We offer a comprehensive insurance package for field staff, including:

    • Group life insurance
    • Personal injury insurance
    • Property insurance

    Coverage details may vary depending on your contract and whether you are covered by Swedish social insurance.

  • What rules apply to me when I am on assignment?

    We uphold high ethical standards for all field staff. Before a mission you must sign an agreement that includes a Code of Conduct and a set of ethical guidelines.

    The mission process

  • Will I travel by myself or be part of a team?

    It varies depending on the operation. Many operations are secondments, where individuals are placed with partner organisations. Other operations involve working as part of a team with a shared task.

  • May my family accompany me?

    Most missions take place in regions where it is not recommended to bring family members. In some cases, however, it may be depending on the location and nature of the mission.

  • What measures will the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency take if something happens during a mission?

    If an incident occurs during a mission, the response will be adapted to the specific situation. For team-based missions, the team leader is responsible for deciding what actions to take.

    If you are on a secondment, the receiving organisation is responsible for your safety, in accordance with their agreement with Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency. You should always contact your Programme Officer (or the Duty Officer outside office hours) if the security situation changes, and follow the advice you receive.

  • What can I do to increase my chances of being re-selected for a mission?

    Keep your MyPages profile up to date. Add new areas of expertise, completed training courses, and relevant experience. Also make sure your contact details are current so we can reach you with interest inquiries.

    If you change your regular employment while registered on our Field Staff Roster, we recommend discussing your commitment to the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency with your new employer.

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