Senior Legal Advisor, Governance Matters

Vacancy No.S18721Category of ContractNationalPosition TypeNationalApplication Deadline05/10/2026Job Posted On21/09/2026Duty StationBudapest, HungaryCountryHUNGARYGradeD1Duty Station StatusN/AAccompanied StatusN/ADuration12 months

Organizational Context

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.

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 provides legal services and advice to the IFRC globally in the following areas:

  • Management of legal risks;
  • Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks; and
  • Support to National Societies in their own legal risk management and compliance with applicable legal and statutory frameworks.

The position of Senior Legal Advisor, Governance Matters, is part of the Legal Department and Data Protection Office and reports to the Managing Legal Counsel, Organisational Frameworks and Governance Matters. The position is based in the Legal Unit in Budapest.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Managing Legal Counsel, the Senior Legal Advisor, Governance Matters is responsible for:

  • Supporting the functions, processes and statutory compliance of IFRC and Movement governance bodies.
  • Providing legal advice on issues arising under the IFRC’s and the Movement’s statutory texts.
  • Providing legal advice on compliance and integrity matters of National Societies.
  • Providing legal advice on any other issues relating to governance matters or organisational frameworks.

The position involves occasional business travel.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Legal Advisor, Governance Matters is responsible for:

Providing legal advice and support to the governance of the IFRC and the  Movement.

  • Providing legal analysis, advice and guidance to IFRC leadership and governance bodies (including Constitutional Commissions and Committees and Governing Board appointed Task Forces) on organizational frameworks and governance matters, including the review and interpretation of statutory texts, electoral and appointment, ethics, compliance and integrity matters, statutory meetings and relevant decisions.
  • Providing legal advice and guidance to IFRC leadership on ethical matters related to governance including interpretation of the Code of Conduct for governance members.
  • Providing legal advice and guidance to Movement bodies and initiatives such as the Standing Commission and its work.
  • Providing legal advice and support to the Secretariat of the Election Committee, the Compliance and Mediation Committee and/or Governing Board Task Forces, as directed by the Managing Legal Counsel, which includes organising meetings and drafting substantive documents, reports and decisions.
  • Providing legal advice and support to IFRC elections, appointments and other voting processes including liaising with the external voting service provider and relevant IFRC departments, drafting guidance materials for voting, scenario planning and overseeing the voters lists and issuance of voting credentials.
  • Assisting the Managing Legal Counsel in formulating responses to specific and general queries from organization stakeholders relating to governance matters or organisational frameworks.

Providing legal advice on compliance and integrity matters of National Societies

  • Providing legal advice on compliance and/or integrity issues related to National Societies, and liaising with IFRC colleagues at regional and local levels.
  • Monitoring compliance of National Societies with their statutory obligations, with regular updates to IFRC leadership.
  • Contributing to the development of the organization’s broader policy and legal services to its membership with respect to organizational frameworks and governance matters.
  • Building effective working relationships and collaborating cross-functionally with colleagues from the IFRC governance team and other relevant teams within the IFRC, and with key Movement stakeholders.

Case management

  • Supporting the General Counsel and Managing Legal Counsel in advising on legal disputes in which the IFRC or its governance members are a party in relation to governance matters.
  • Assisting with referrals of cases to national authorities and information or cooperation requests.
  • Conducting legal research in connection with such cases.
  • Assisting with the engagement and utilization of external legal counsel in relevant countries.

Training

  • Developing training material and providing trainings to IFRC staff and National Society legal advisers on organizational frameworks and governance matters globally.

Other tasks

  • Monitors legal information and developments that are or may be applicable to the IFRC and National Societies.
  • Assumes other duties as required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff:

  • Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.
  • Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
  • Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required:

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

Preferred:

  • Specialized studies in Public International Law, or International Organization Law, and/or Governance processes.
  • Ethics certification.

Experience

Required:

  • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in a legal function (law firm, in-house legal department, government, non-governmental organization or international organization).
  • Experience in legislative and constitutional analysis and advising on governance, compliance, ethics and integrity matters.
  • Experience in reviewing, negotiating and drafting contracts and other legal instruments.
  • Experience working in, or exposure to, multi-cultural and international work environments.

Preferred:

  • Red Cross/Red Crescent experience or other humanitarian/non-for-profit experience would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

  • Strong legal research, analytical, drafting and problem-solving skills.
  • Negotiation skills and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Sound organisational skills and attention to details.
  • Service-oriented approach and strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
  • High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
  • Knowledge of applicable legal and regulatory frameworks of international organisations.
  • Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
  • Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment and to communicate in such environment.
  • 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).
  • Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

  • Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
  • Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; integrity; professionalism; accountability.

Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, Building Trust

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

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