The ICRC's human resources policy has been shaped in the light of the organization's strategic objectives. It enables the ICRC to call on motivated personnel who are at ease with the organization's humanitarian mission and share its fundamental values.

The aim of that policy is in particular to:

• strengthen staff members' professional skills;
• develop know-how in connection with the specific requirements of humanitarian action;
• give the ICRC the capacity to mobilize and hire that enables it to operate in conflict zones without delay on the basis of needs;
• promote equal opportunities for men and women.

The policy's key concepts are transparency of the measures applied, fairness in the treatment of staff and consolidation of management principles.

To implement this policy, the ICRC relies on professionals and tested management methods. For international staff it applies a system whereby objectives are set, each staff member's performance is evaluated every year, a policy of assignment and career planning is implemented and management careers are planned. Its Career Advisory Service facilitates career development and change. For the management of national staff, which is decentralized, it has established a standard reference framework.