ARMED FORCES AND NON STATE ARMED GROUPS DELEGATE

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide 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 direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role Description

Main responsibilities

Mission

The ICRC delegate for armed forces and non-state armed groups is responsible for contributing to the analysis, dialogue and operational effects of the delegation(s) he/she is tasked to cover, with the aims being to:

• Enhance understanding of the ICRC's role and how it operates, among military forces and non-state armed groups (NSAGs), in order to further the ICRC's acceptance, security and access;
• Protect and assist the victims of armed conflict through the bespoke design and delivery of Law of Armed Conflict and customary law approaches or programs, fully adapted to their operational context, audience and through the support of the protection dialogue of the delegation with the parties to the conflict.
• Facilitate the organization’s understanding of the military and non-state armed groups as well as its networking with key individuals at different levels.
• Support the efforts of armed forces to disseminate IHL or IHRL, to integrate these norms into their operational documentation, methods and to adopt disciplinary and penal sanctions in the event of violations.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Delegation management and transversally with the Delegations Protection and Prevention Departments in defining the strategy and carry out specific activities.
• Handles all operational and thematic issues pertaining to dialogue with militaries and selected other arms carriers and advises on the humanitarian implications of alleged IHL violations on the Civilian Population. 
• Provides technical advice on the humanitarian implications of the evolution of the conduct of military operations
• Provides real-time technical analysis of conflict/violence dynamics and advises and supports delegations on dialogue with arms carriers
• Provides country analysis of the military forces and compliance with humanitarian principles regarding the conduct of operations in relation to the ICRC Operations in the country.
• Maintains and develop a network of contacts, ensuring substantive engagement with the military command structures and institutions (National and Regional).
• Supports efforts to integrate IHL and application of international rules and standards into police doctrine, training and relevant aspects of operations.

• Work closely with the Delegation management and transversally with the Delegations Protection and Prevention Departments in defining the strategy and carry out specific activities.
• Handles all operational and thematic issues pertaining to dialogue with militaries and selected other arms carriers and advises on the humanitarian implications of alleged IHL violations on the Civilian Population. 
• Provides technical advice on the humanitarian implications of the evolution of the conduct of military operations
• Provides real-time technical analysis of conflict/violence dynamics and advises and supports delegations on dialogue with arms carriers
• Provides country analysis of the military forces and compliance with humanitarian principles regarding the conduct of operations in relation to the ICRC Operations in the country.
• Maintains and develop a network of contacts, ensuring substantive engagement with the military command structures and institutions (National and Regional).
• Supports efforts to integrate IHL and application of international rules and standards into police doctrine, training and relevant aspects of operations.

Desired profile and skills

Profile

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Former mid to senior level military officer with a minimum of 15 years of professional experience, and having held the minimum rank of Major.
• Strong operational experience covering planning and conduct of military operations, including a minimum of 1 year deployed on operations in conflict areas, and preferably at least 5 years accumulated operational experience.  
• Previous experience in an operational or strategic level HQ, or as a Defence Attache is an advantage.

• Fluent in English and another second language such as French (very strong asset) or Spanish or Russian or Arabic.
• Available for a period of minimum 2 years (renewable) for a mission in the field
• Ideal age: 45 to 55 years

Skills

• Knowledge and practical experience of the integration of Law of Armed Conflict/International Humanitarian Law into the planning and conduct of military/Law enforcement operations.
• Capacity to conceptualise, and proven analytical skills spanning complex, contemporary tactical environments to strategic level
• Capacity and willingness to work with all arms carriers in the contemporary operating environment
• Demonstrable understanding of the nature of both contemporary and future conflict, and the implications for humanitarian actions
• Ability to communicate concisely and fluently, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent people skills, proven capacity to integrate within a team and adapt to new settings, combined with good networking skills and the ability to engage interlocutors from tactical to strategic level
• Charismatic speaker and confident instructor, with strong presentation and power point skills

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals.
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field.
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment.
• A two-weeks orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits.
• Minimum length of assignment: 24 months and up to 48 months.
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere.

 
Please note that owing to the ICRC's working procedures and principles, in particular the principle of neutrality, we cannot assign personnel to a country of which they are a national.