Associate in the Protection Division

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational, and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We (co-)direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Protection Associate supports the Protection & CTA Division in strengthening the integration of a protection-centred approach across the ICRC’s multisectoral operational responses, policy work, and humanitarian diplomacy for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.

The role offers exposure to the ICRC’s protection work related to persons deprived of liberty, missing persons, people separated from their families, and, more broadly, civilian populations affected by conflict and violence.

The Associate contributes to external positioning, technical support for field delegations, capacity-building initiatives (including training activities), coordination with Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, and guidance on implementing the ICRC’s complementary protection approaches.

The position involves close collaboration with colleagues across departments and units at headquarters and in the field, as well as opportunities to work autonomously and contribute to the development of new initiatives.

Main duties & responsibilities

The Protection Associate is expected to:

• Support the development and rollout of guidance to help field delegations operationalise the ICRC’s protection approach through context-specific responses;
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training materials and capacity-building sessions on protection-related methodologies and topics;
• Support the preparation and delivery of briefings for staff deployed to selected priority contexts;
• Assist in monitoring protection responses implemented by delegations, identifying gaps, and tracking progress, including through analysis of annual planning documents and debriefings with returning staff;
• Monitor developments in the global and regional operating environment, including by compiling updates from media sources, summarising external research and reports, and attending relevant webinars;
• Support the organisation of, and reporting on, internal and external meetings and events (in person and online), including within relevant Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement platforms;
• Contribute to the preparation of speaking points and presentations on protection-related topics for internal and external audiences;
• Review materials produced by other ICRC units and departments to ensure that a protection perspective is appropriately integrated, and support ICRC input into external reports and inter-agency processes;
• Update relevant communication and knowledge-sharing platforms (internal and external), manage information and documentation, and provide logistical and administrative support as required.

Desired profile and skills

• University degree in international humanitarian law, human rights, humanitarian action, international relations, gender studies, migration, political science, social sciences, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an asset.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English, with a good command of French; additional languages (such as Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) are an asset.
• Strong interest in protection work in humanitarian contexts and motivation to work for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; experience with a National Society is an asset.
• Professional or volunteer experience working directly with people affected by conflict (e.g., internally displaced persons, migrants, children, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, missing persons, persons deprived of liberty).
• Experience in drafting and editing reports, concept notes, position papers, and briefing materials.
• Ability to plan, organise, and work independently, including under pressure and within deadlines.
• Strong research, analytical, synthesis, and communication skills (written and oral); experience in data analysis is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and initiative.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with information-management tools (e.g., SharePoint) and producing content for intranet and internet platforms.

Position details

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date:  March 2026
• Length of assignment: 12 months
• Visa/permit: Legitimation card - provided
• Gross monthly salary: CHF 3’934 (13 salaries per year)
• Application deadline: Sunday, 11 January 2026

Application details

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by the application deadline.

Required application documents - Please upload the following documents to your candidate profile:

• Diplomas
• Work certificates
• A colour scan of your passport

Motivation letter - As part of the application, candidates are requested to submit a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the following points:

• Your understanding of the ICRC’s protection work, including its role and approach in responding to the needs of people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence;
• How does your previous knowledge and experience working directly with conflict-affected people (such as children, internally displaced persons, migrants, or other affected populations) equip you to contribute to this role?
• How does this Associate position fit within your broader professional and career aspirations, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?

Only complete applications submitted through the online platform will be considered.

Our values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values.

For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this