Legal Adviser

Job Description

Purpose of the position

The ICRC is carrying out a project to update the commentaries on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977. The Legal Division is seeking to hire a legal adviser to work as part of the project team under the supervision of the head of unit. The role will be to carry out research and draft texts for the new commentaries.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Carry out legal research on topics covered by the Fourth Geneva Convention and their two Additional Protocols of 1977; the focus will be on research into the ICRC’s archives, national and international case law, military manuals and doctrine in order to collect all legal information that is necessary to update the commentaries. This research will be used by the different internal and external lawyers writing the new commentaries;
• On the basis of the research carried out, prepare files for each article covered by the commentaries;
• Consult and coordinate with internal and external contributors writing the new commentaries about the research and the draft commentaries;
• Guide and supervise the work of some contributors to the updated commentaries;
• Draft updated commentaries on treaty provisions and edit other commentaries;
• Take an active part in team coordination meetings to ensure consistency of form and content in drafting the commentaries;
• Take an active part in promoting the updated Commentaries;
• Carry out any other duties requested by the head of unit in relation to the project.

Education required

• Law degree combined with a doctorate in law or other post-graduate degree, with a specialization in public international law;
• Expertise in international humanitarian law, as well as thorough knowledge of international human rights law and international criminal law;
• Well-developed legal research and writing skills, demonstrated by publications in the field of public international law and international humanitarian law
• Excellent ability to analyse and summarize complex legal issues;
• Excellent ability to write legal texts in a concise and clear manner and within tight deadlines.

Experience required

• At least five years of relevant professional experience;
• Proven experience in project and time management would be an asset;
• Proven expertise in matters governed by the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Additional Protocols would be an asset;
• Perfect command of written English and a very good knowledge of French.

Skills and qualifications

• Rigour and clarity in researching and analysing legal issues and in drafting legal texts;
• Openness to dialogue and good interpersonal skills;
• Proven ability to work in a team.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: open-ended
• Grade: C2
• Activity rate: 80%
• Estimated start date: January 2023
• Application deadline: 31 October 2022

About the Organization

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.