Many applicants have a level bac 5 or 7

A legal training, a DESS of European law, a master of Economics at the ESCP-EAP and other management of the humanitarian... William Dufourcq displays a long resume as the arm. For two years, he leads the "emergency pool" action against hunger (ACF), which brings together five experts based in Paris. This type of surdiplômé profile is not uncommon today in NGOs. Many applicants have a level bac 5 or 7. "Programs are more complex, more and more demanding donors, we have strengthened our selection criteria", confirms Olivier Benquet, responsible for recruitment in ACF. This applies to profiles of engineer, agronomist, logistics officer or responsible financial. And for more generalist courses, type Sciences po, better is worth completing a curriculum specialist as the master "crisis: emergency response and development actions" of Paris-I or Lyons school Bioforce. "We also recruit the BTS, but with three to four years of experience and transferable technical expertise to the world of solidarity", adds Philippe. Cafiero, HRD to the French Red Cross.

In summary, to integrate the humanitarian, it no longer enough to be motivated: "It must also be competent," said Christophe Lallau, responsible for HR field in international solidarity. For the famous Sesame, it must pass a series of interviews and tests. After that, candidates follow a "preparation to departure", from three to 15 days, with scenarios. "Even at this stage, we do we ban not us opt out with a candidate if we have any doubts", note Marc Mossenta, HRD of doctors without borders.

Very formative experience

NGOs are not applications. ACF receives a thousand each month. The French Red Cross, between 2,000 and 3,000, to at most 200 recruitments per year. "While the application is very important, but opportunities exist." Our business is growing by 5 each year. "We need to recruit", said Philippe Cafiero. This attractiveness is not related to wages: they are between 30 and 40 lower than the private - for more important responsibilities. Less than thirty years, a humanitarian can manage a budget of hundreds of thousands of euros and approximately 40 people.

But most importantly, it must accept a certain insecurity. If at the headquarters, support (HR, it, management...) functions are often in the IFA, the expatriate will be the best in CSD if there experience (head of mission, Coordinator, responsible for administrative and financial...) and otherwise "voluntary international", a passage forced to work in the hulanitaire. For a CSD (from 1,400 to 2,600 euros monthly), the conditions vary according to the NGO: it must have conducted at least a mission (approximately eight months) in solidarity International, worked one year in MSF and have two years experience on the position in ACF. At the headquarters of the NGO, the situation is hardly more favourable: wages are rather low (around 2.800 euros gross) and frequent overtime.

This precariousness beginnings are added difficult working conditions. Missions of emergency, it is not uncommon to imprison fifteen hours a day, seven days a week. However, international solidarity draws always as much. Since trades are exciting, very formative experience. Most importantly, it has meaning. For many young graduates, this last point is crucial.