The working hours and holidays are fixed according to the provisions of the international organisation for which a person is working. The Confederation, however, guarantees 30 days’ annual leave. If the total amount of annual leave can not be taken during an assignment, the person’s contract is extended by the appropriate number of days.

The Confederation guarantees equal opportunity. When possible, international organisations give preference to female candidates if the candidates possess the same qualifications.

Yes, under the terms of the international organisation or the Confederation. The latter covers the costs of the examination.

A short-term trial assignment is not possible because international policing is a challenging task in terms of logistics; an assignment lasting only a few months or even weeks does not permit a person to work efficiently, since time is needed at the beginning to become acclimatised not only to the culture of the country but also to the working conditions etc. However, it is possible for a person to terminate his/her contract under the provisions of the Federal Personnel Act and the Ordinance on the Deployment of Personnel in the Context of Peacekeeping Activities and Good Offices dated 24 April 1996.

During an assignment the person is covered against sickness and accident by the army’s insurance. The Allianz insurance company also offers collective accident insurance for international missions. This pays a daily amount of money and covers additional treatment costs.

Further training in connection with the assignment is possible, and sometimes even required.

The initial length of an assignment is at least six months. However, the initial duration of more demanding assignments is often 12 months. Generally an assignment within the same mission can be extended to a maximum of two years.

It is possible to apply directly if an international organisation is looking for staff to hire directly for a mission and not just secondary personnel.

After successfully completing the recruitment procedure you will be informed at regular intervals about possible missions and asked about your availability for an assignment.

Everyone is given a complete uniform consisting of suitable field, street and representative clothing, and various equipment for one’s personal safety. The equipment also includes a laptop computer and printer, a digital camera and various utensils according to the specific assignment. The equipment is transported in special containers that are provided, and the transport costs are paid.

The international organisation to which a person is assigned is responsible for security at the place of assignment. The organisation aims to keep the risk to life and limb at a minimum. However, a residual danger is present and can not be eliminated completely.

Everyone is entitled to a return trip to Switzerland paid by the Swiss government every six months. Further trips are possible at one’s own expense.

This is not possible because the international organisation is only responsible for the safety of a person involved in a mission and not for his/her family members.

Basically, a person is accountable to the head of the mission. However, the Swiss government also requires regular reporting according to special criteria.

If a person is employed on a permanent basis by a police corps, then he/she continues to receive a basic salary from the employer, and the Confederation reimburses the employer for the full amount of the salary. An additional allowance may also be granted according to the requirements within a mission.

If a person is not employed, he/she will be recruited as a freelancer and remunerated according to the requirements of the job, the person’s qualifications and work experience.

An additional assignment and/or risk allowance can also be granted depending on the situation in the assignment region. These monthly allowances vary between CHF 400 and CHF 2000. A daily allowance is also usually granted to cover the cost of food and accommodation.

Basically yes. However, in certain circumstances it is possible to relocate to the country of assignment, in which case the person is only liable to federal taxation. If a person decides to relocate, he/she is no longer eligible for a daily allowance for food and accommodation.

The return travel costs from Switzerland to the field of assignment are paid either by the Swiss government or the appropriate international organisation. The means of transport, which is usually by air, is selected according to the suitability to the field of assignment.