From application to mission abroad

Interested persons can apply for a peace support mission abroad with the Swiss Armed Forces through the SWISSINT Centre. Sought after profiles are professional individuals with various professional occupations. The base-line requirements vary from mission and type of deployment.

Requirements

SWISSCOY/KFOR | EUFOR LOT

  • Swiss nationality
  • Completed professional training
  • Relevant civilian and/or military specialist training
  • Completed recruit school (except for technical specialists)
  • Military assigned or fulfilled mandatory service
  • Knowledge of foreign languages depending on function (especially English)
  • Driving license category B
  • Age: 18 to 65 years

UN missions/NNSC

  • Swiss nationality
  • Officer rank for at least 5 years
  • Completed professional apprenticeship or studies
  • Very good English skills, knowledge of French an advantage
  • Driving license category B
  • Age: 25 to 55 years

Submission of application documents

At SWISSINT, a team of 10 people continuously work towards ensuring that the right individuals are placed in the appropriate positions for a peacekeeping mission with the Swiss Armed Forces and at the right time.

Please send the application documents to: rekr.swissint@vtg.admin.ch.

The documents that are required for evaluation of an application are as follows:

  • Completed application form (HMR, SWISSCOY/LOT, UNMEM/SO, Capacity Building)
  • Completed electronic personal questionnaire SWISSINT (personal questionnaire)
  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Copy of military service book (copy of all pages, including empty pages)
  • Copy of work certificates
  • Copy of completed trainings or certificates
  • Copy of diplomas
  • Copy of criminal record and debt collections records not older than three months
  • Military qualifications of higher non-commissioned officers and officers
  • Back and front copy of drivers licence
  • A colour picture

Selection process

  • Step 1

    Recruitment day

  • Step 2

    Interview and Assessment

  • Step 3

    Training

  • Step 4

    Mission

  • Recruitment day

    All candidates take part in a first recruitment day at a Swiss Armed Forces recruitment centre. Depending on the mission type, the candidates will undergo a medical evaluation, a psychological qualification evaluation for executive positions, a computer based aptitude test for drivers as well as an English test.

  • Interview and Assessment

    Following a positive outcome from the first recruitment day, the selected candidates will be invited to SWISSINT in Stans-Oberdorf. A half-day recruitment process is held for SWISSCOY and EUFOR missions with discussions of specialist services and functions as well as short briefings. For all other missions, candidates take part in a two-day assessment which includes an interview, an in-depth psychological examination as well as briefings.

  • Training

    All persons who take part in a peacekeeping mission complete a mission related training which can last anywhere from one to three months depending on function and mission type. This training sets the foundation for service personnel to be able to successfully carry out assignments in an international environment and how to appropriately handle challenging situations. They are trained in the Rules of Engagement, the handling of all-terrain vehicles, the correct behaviour in mine contaminated areas, medical assistance or staff duties.

  • Mission

    A mission typically lasts either 6 or 12 months. Depending on availability, there is the possibility to extend the mission period of an individual.

    Women in mission

    Women in peacekeeping are characterised by their determination, their flexibility and their motivation. The participation of women is decisive for a mission's success. Women facilitate the direct access to women in the areas of operation. Moreover, they bring with them a multitude of skills and qualities, which are sought after throughout the various peacekeeping missions.

    Integration skills, empathy and social tactfulness are just a small selection of these qualities. For certain functions the civilian know-how is critical. This allows Swiss national women without military background to apply for a peacekeeping mission. Women without military background will be trained and equipped according to function.

    Return on investment

    A peacekeeping mission provides many opportunities: knowledge acquired from an individual's career, university as well as military background can be applied in an international environment, and these skills can be put to the test in a mission. Additionally, a mission abroad provides the opportunity to experience diverse and varied working days, develop personal social competencies, better understand foreign cultures and to represent the values of Switzerland. Likewise, the Swiss Armed Forces benefit from the experience of the individuals deployed in a mission.

    Professionals as well as service members of the Armed Forces bring valuable knowledge back with them, which brings value and added benefits to their career as well as to the military service.

    Detail settings

    Detail settings

    Necessary

    These cookies are always enabled as they are required for the basic functionality of the website. They contribute to the safe and proper use of the site.

    Show details

    Storage of the consent to the use of cookies.

    Hide details

    Analysis / Statistics

    We collect anonymous data for statistical and analytical purposes. For example, we could use this to understand whether you came to us via Google search or another website.

    Details anzeigen

    This website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

    Google Analytics uses so-called "cookies". These are text files that are stored on your computer and that enable an analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

    The storage of Google Analytics cookies and the use of this analysis tool are based on Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising.

    Hide details
    Hide