Legal Advisor, Partnerships, Programmes and Operations

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability. IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Office of the General Counsel comprises the Legal Department and Data Protection Office in Geneva, as well as the other legal advisors of the Global Legal Team, strategically posted in the regional offices, the delegations and the Legal Unit in Budapest. The Office of the General Counsel is led by the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and Data Protection Office, who reports to the Secretary General.

The Office of the General Counsel supports the Federation globally in the following areas:

• Management of legal risks;
• Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory framework; and
• Support to national societies in their own legal risk management.

The position of Legal Advisor sits with the Legal Unit in Budapest.

Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, this position provides support and legal advice in relation to partnerships, programmes and operations, with a view to preventing and managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

The position requires travel from time to time.

Administrative Support

- Support the Deputy General Counsel with the administration and overall management of the Partnerships, Programmes and Operations team and portfolio;

- Support the Deputy General Counsel in managing compliance and legal risks by providing support and legal advice on Partnerships, Programmes and Operations matters, including in relation to legal claims, commitments and liabilities of the organization.

Legal support and advice on

(a) Legal support and advice

• Provide support and legal advice on the structuring and negotiation of legal matters relating to partnerships, programmes and operations, in particular contractual matters;
• Draft a variety of legal documents; and
• Conduct legal research and analysis.

(b) Case management

• Support the follow-up on ongoing legal cases;
• Support the selection, engagement and coordination of external legal counsel in relevant countries; and
• Liaise with local counsels worldwide to help define legal strategy and ensure consistency and alignment across matters.

 Systems, policies and procedures

- Support the development and implementation of the Federation’s wide systems, procedures, policies and tools, which have an impact on the legal obligations and risks of the organization in relation to Partnerships, Programmes and Operations; and

- Support the dissemination of compliance and legal risks management good practices throughout the organization.

Project management and change management

• Support the management of legal projects relating to Partnerships, Programmes and Operations.

 Training

- Support the development of training material to IFRC staff and National Societies legal advisors on legal risks and compliance and any issues of legal expertise relating to Partnerships, Programmes and Operations.

Support to Membership

- Support the development of webinars, legal tools and services for National Societies in the area of Partnerships, Programmes and Operations.

 Other tasks

- Monitor legal information and developments that are or may be applicable to the Federation and National Societies in the area of Partnerships, Programmes and Operations ; and

- Perform any other work-related tasks as assigned by the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.

Required:

• University degree in law (LL.B., J.D. or equivalent)
• Admission to the practice of law

Preferred:

• Legal specialization relevant to the work of an international organization, i.e. international law, contract law, data protection or compliance

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in a legal environment (law firm, in-house legal department, government, non-governmental organization or international organization)
• Demonstrated experience in contract law, including drafting, review and negotiation of agreements and a variety of legal documents

Preferred:

• Experience working in, or exposure to, multi-cultural and international environments
• Experience within an international organization or in the non-profit/humanitarian sector
• Experience within the private sector or working on commercial contracts and partnerships with corporate partners
• Experience with contract management systems
• Exposure to international law, privilege and immunities or regulatory/compliance matters

Required:

• Strong legal research, analytical, drafting and problem-solving skills
• Service-oriented approach and strong interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills and solution-oriented mindset
• Sound organizational skills and attention to details
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities under tight deadlines and with a high workload
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, and with external stakeholders
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information
• Good judgment, tact and diplomacy
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values
• Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants
• Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred:

• Familiarity with legal issues commonly arising in international organization
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Values: Respect for dignity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability
Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and decision making, National Society and customer relations, Creativity and Innovation, Building trust

This is a national staff position open to nationals of Hungary and others who are legally eligible to work in Hungary.