Armed and Security Forces Programme Advisor

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

The Armed Forces and Security (FAS) Delegate contributes to developing and implementing the delegation’s strategies and operational dialogue with arms carriers, with respect to acceptance of theICRC’s mandate and operations, thepromotion, integration and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL)/ international human rights law (IHRL) and other legal standards, and protection objectives. Due to the substance, FAS Delegate role entails a maximum length tenure (4 years) in a given delegation.

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

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

•  Within the global and political dimension of his/her activities, provides real-time technical analysis of conflict dynamics or other situations of violence.
•  Based on an analysis of the humanitarian situation in the country or region, designs, implements and monitors the effectiveness of a Military Armed Group (MAG) / Police & Gendarmerie (PGE) programme aimed at tackling/preventing the violation of IHL/IHRL.
• Coordinates and directs members of the FAS team(s) in analysing, planning and responding to arms carriers' means and methods of warfare.
• Handles all operational and thematic issues (including Health Care in Danger initiative, sexual violence, conduct of hostilities, use of force) in the dialogue with all arms carriers and State/non-State actors. Advises and supports the delegation in its dialogue with arms carriers.
• Advises on the humanitarian implications of the use of force by arms carriers, providing essential technical advice for all relevant representations regarding protection of the civilian population.
• Provides internal training to strengthen understanding of arms carriers and assists the security cell or delegation with security issues upon request.
• Identifies, builds and/or maintains a network of contacts. Maintains high-quality and substantive engagement with military/police/non-State armed group command structures and military and security institutes.
• Supports arms carriers' efforts to integrate IHL and IHRL into doctrine and training and relevant aspects of their operations. Exposes them to relevant IHL/IHRL provisions and the ICRC's mandate and activities.
• Leads, supervises and identifies the training needs of FAS Programme Advisers and Programme Assistants.
• Designs, delivers and evaluates capacity-building programmes, workshops and advisory activities aimed at strengthening the integration of IHL into military education, doctrine, training and operational planning.
• Supports the integration of IHL and humanitarian principles into peace support operations and pre-deployment training programmes.

Reports to (role)

•  Deputy Head of Delegation 

People management responsibilities

Yes

Scope & impact

• Contributes to the annual planning exercise (Planning for Results) on issues related to the armed and security forces.
• Geographic remit: regional or national (depending on the position).
• Is responsible for monitoring the budget allocated to activities under responsibility.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts primarily within the delegation with those engaged in dialogue with arms carriers, and with headquarters (FAS Unit) for functional technical support.
• Externally, represents the ICRC in its dialogue and/or activities with armed and security forces on issues related mainly to integration of IHL and/or IHRL into operational practice.
• Develops and maintains a long-term stakeholder engagement strategy with military and security institutions, ensuring continuity of humanitarian dialogue and institutional partnerships.

Certifications / Education required

• Job-specific: FAS MAG
• Graduated from a military academy as an officer; or equivalent;
• And/or served a substantial amount of time in the armed or security forces, attained the rank of Major or Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent, or higher, and/or attended a senior staff college, and/or held a significant command or staff appointment, and/or military experience including operational deployments/combat experience; And/or must have suitable (10+) years of ICRC experience, including substantial interaction with military and security forces. Job-specific: FAS PGE
• Minimum 10 years' professional experience in police-related positions (or equivalent/gendarmerie/law-enforcement agency), including minimum 5 years' operational experience in the following fields: training, crowd control, judicial/criminal investigation, interrogation, management/leadership AND experience in international deployment abroad;
• And/or must have suitable (10+) years of ICRC experience including substantial interaction with security forces/law- enforcement agencies.
• Fluent command of English and French; other languages a plus.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional experience required

• At least 10 years' professional experience as a senior military or police officer;
• Excellent knowledge of the ICRC and its mandate.
• Sound knowledge of IHL an important asset.
• Experience as a training instructor and/or command an advantage.

Language

• Fluent command of English  .
• French will be an asset .