What we do

Brussels is home to the main institutions of the European Union (EU) – the Council of the EU, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Commission, the European Parliament – and to the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The ICRC delegation in Brussels aims to make the ICRC’s mandate better known, to mobilize political, diplomatic and financial support for its activities and to ensure that relevant political and military decision makers in Western Europe view the ICRC as the main reference point for neutral and independent humanitarian action, as well as for International Humanitarian Law.

Purpose

The FAS Delegate acts as the Operation Coordinators’ advisor for military affairs and is the primary interlocutor with German and Nordic Armed Forces, including their representatives in

EU and NATO structures. They contribute to developing and implementing the Region`s strategies and operational dialogue with arms carriers, with respect to acceptance of the ICRC`s mandate and operations The Delegate provides timely analysis of developments in the armed and security forces domain in the area of responsibility and develops a network which enables ICRC access and influence to the armed forces as necessary. They are directly involved in the practical promotion, integration, and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL)/international human rights law (IHRL) and other legal standards into NATO and EU Military Doctrine, Education, Training and Exercises. The FAS Germany/Nordics (GER/Nordics) Delegate reports to the Operations Coordinator based in Geneva.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

  • The Germany/Nordics (GER/Nordics) teams engage with political and military stakeholders, civil society, academia and other actors of influence in the respective countries, as well as through multilateral fora in Brussels. The FAS Delegate is responsible for interactions with the armed forces within their designated area of responsibility (Germany, Norway, Sweden and Finland) and with their military representatives based in Brussels.
  • Responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on all activities involving the respective military structures. 
  • Specific analysis activities include:
    • Identifying and developing a network of contacts and maintaining an up-to-date mapping of military interlocutors. 
    • Advising Operations Coordinators on humanitarian implications of military developments, operations and use of force.
    • Contributes to ICRC’s input into the development and evolution of GER/Nordics doctrine and policy.
    • Participating in the preparation of interventions and representations as part of ICRC confidential dialogue with GER/Nordics structures.
    • Maintaining an up to date and accessible filing system for key documents.
    • Acting as Project Manager for assigned FAS GER/Nordics events or projects as required.

Specific engagement activities include:

    • Launching and preparing Annual Staff Talks with Strategic Commands.
    • Participating in selected Education, Training and Exercises, to portray the ICRC, inform and educate on relevant issues, such as Protection of Civilians, Detention Operations, IHL promotion, and more broadly all IHL obligations relevant in international armed conflicts.
    • Providing internal training to ICRC staff, as required, to enhance their understanding of GER/Nordics arms carriers
    • When relevant, conducting pre-deployment briefings for GER/Nordics military units relaying essential messages from the ICRC field delegations.

Desired profile and skills

  • Strongly motivated by humanitarian work

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

Certifications / Education required

  • Former senior military officer with minimum 15 years professional military experience.
  • Graduate of a senior military Staff College.
  • Former military officer with a minimum rank of Major

Professional experience required

  • Significant experience in the planning and conduct of military operations, at Joint level preferably in a GER/Nordics context or in NATO or EU CSDP mission planning, and a minimum of one year deployed operational experience.
  • Experience in the planning and/or implementation of military operations.
  • At least 1 year of accumulated international operational experience in conflict-affected contexts.
  • Experience working at operational or strategic headquarters level is an asset.
  • An understanding of GER/Nordics military Doctrine, Education, Training and Exercise processes.
  • Fluent English, German strongly desirable, Nordic languages an advantage.
  • Excellent oral, presentational, and written communication and interpersonal skills; able to present with confidence and to a very high standard at lectures, meetings, seminars to Senior Commanders and Staff Officers at Strategic and Operational Levels.
  • Ability to adapt to and connect with a range of humanitarian and military audiences and interlocutors.
  • Proven office and computer skills; ability to use Windows and Office to a high proficiency.
  • Able to comply with ICRC principles and be free of obligations to other, or former employers, authorities or groups who engage with the ICRC.
  • Up to 50% travel is required, working outside normal hours and some weekends to support activities.
  • Authorisation to work in Belgium.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.