Before a mission

A mission typically begins when the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency receives a request for assistance from one of our partner organisations. An initial assessment is made to determine whether the request falls under the agency’s mandate. Recruitment for the mission is either conducted through the Field Staff Roster or via a vacancy announcement, depending how time critical the mission is.

The duration of a mission can vary – from a few days to up to one year. The time between recruitment and departure also varies, but you should generally be prepared to deploy within one week.
If the lead time for a mission is longer or the mission requires a specific type of expertise, we usually publish a vacancy announcement. Selection is based on merits and skills.

For time-critical missions with shorter lead time, recruitment is conducted through our Field Staff Roster. An interest inquiry is sent to individuals with the relevant competence, who then respond with their interest and availability for the mission. If multiple individuals express their interest, a selection process is conducted. While merits and skills are key factors, other elements may also influence the selection, such as completion of the Induction Course, updated profile information on MyPages, demonstrated availability and responsiveness. In some cases, another selection process may be conducted by the partner organisation through nomination of several candidates.

If you are selected for the mission, the preparatory phase begins. This typically includes visa application, health examination, vaccinations and a pre-deployment briefing.

At the pre-deployment briefing, you will receive in-depth information about the mission and its objectives. You will also be handed the personal equipment needed during the mission. Furthermore, you will be given more specific information about the mission country, security and gender issues and a review of the Code of Conduct, which you must sign to confirm your understanding. You will also receive general information on how you can handle health-related and psychosocial challenges during a mission.

During a mission

During a mission you will be temporarily employed by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency. The terms of employment may vary depending on the nature of the mission and the agreement in place. The specific terms and conditions of employment, including insurances, allowances, benefits and salary, will be communicated once you have been selected for a mission. If recruitment is conducted through the Field Staff Roster, the applicable terms and salary are outlined in the interest inquiry.

The Programme Officer responsible for the mission maintains ongoing contact with the partner organisation throughout the assignment. The Programme Officer also determines the reporting frequency and format.

All field staff participating in international missions with the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency are required to follow our Code of Conduct. This is a binding part of your employment contract and outlines the ethical standards expected during your assignment. The Code of Conduct is based on the principle of equal value of all human beings, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, political views or disability. These values are grounded in both international conventions and Swedish law.

We maintain high standards for the conduct of our field staff. Any breach of the Code of Conduct, may result in immediate recall from the mission for further evaluation.

You should always feel that adequate support is available. The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency is committed to assisting you whenever needed. If your Programme Officer cannot answer your question, they will refer to the appropriate contact within the Agency. For urgent matters outside office hours, you can reach our Duty Officer via SOS Alarm.

After a mission

As your mission comes to an end, your supervisor will complete a written evaluation of your performance. This may be done using the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency’s evaluation form or the partner organisation’s own format.

After returning home, it is important that you provide feedback to your Programme Officer. If needed, a debriefing meeting will be arranged. The purpose is to learn from your experiences and apply those insights to improve future missions.

You are responsible for returning all equipment provided by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency. Items such as computers or clothing and other gear must be brought back and not left behind. If equipment is missing or has been handled carelessly, you may be required to pay a compensation fee.

After your mission, please take time to update your experiences on MyPages. This helps improve your chances of being selected for future missions. If you are not available for upcoming assignments, make sure to indicate this on MyPages or contact us directly.

Returning home from a mission