ICRC Protection Delegate

ICRC Protection Delegate

(Detention, Protection of civilians, Restoring family links and missing persons)

Who we are

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. 

For the ICRC, protection is composed of the following activities: detention (improving the life and dignity of detainees while ensuring judicial safeguards); protection of civilians (reducing human suffering during the conduct of hostilities or law enforcement operations), restoring family links (for people/children separated by armed conflict, natural disaster, or migration) and the missing persons (clarifying the fate of the missing persons and supporting their families). All activities aim at:  1) ensuring that authorities and armed actors comply with their obligations under IHL and other applicable bodies of law and 2) at reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities affected by armed conflict and violence.

Role description

The ICRC is seeking candidates to join its Protection Pool. Depending on their level of experience, the candidates will be assigned to one of the following positions: Protection Delegate or Team Leader. Moreover, the candidate will either be working exclusively on one specific protection activity or will be responsible for several of them, according to the operational needs in the country of assignment.

The Protection delegate ensures that priorities and objectives are set under an operational strategy and oversees the implementation in accordance with the related ICRC policies and frameworks. Responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing the protection activities and for drafting the internal and external reports in relation to the protection needs of the affected population as well as to ICRC’s recommendations and response.

Main responsibilities

• Engages with people affected by conflict and violence (detainees, displaced civilians, migrants, wounded, families of missing) in order to understand their situation, needs, vulnerabilities and resilience.
• Contributes to the ICRC’s analysis of the humanitarian environment and of the main protection concerns.
• Contributes to establish objectives, priorities, plans of action and operational strategies for protection activities in their area of responsibility.
• Manages and implements one or several protection-related activities and contributes to a multidisciplinary response to the needs of people affected by conflict and violence: needs assessments, planning, designing, implementation and monitoring.
• Develops and maintains an active network of external interlocutors (authorities, arms carriers, other humanitarian organizations, people of influence) and raises relevant protection issues.
• Represents the ICRC in external fora.
• Supports in the development/revision of guidelines, working tools, and methodologies related to protection activities.
• Is responsible for implementing protection methodologies and approaches in their area of responsibility.
• Participates in/leads field visits (including to places of detention).
• Depending on the activity and environment, may supervise a team.
• Oversees data management related to protection activities....

Required skills and experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience working on protection issues or similar fields (humanitarian, human rights, advocacy, development, social work, penitentiary…), including 3 years of international or regional experience.
• Proficiency in English (minimum C1 level) and in one of the following languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese or Russian (minimum C1 level). A third language is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work in proximity to affected people and communities with empathy
• Knowledge of current issues related to protection in armed conflict (including IHL/IHRL and minimum professional standards), key policies and operational challenges to improving protection in practice.
• Ability to collect, process and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform evidence-based dialogues with relevant authorities and/or parties to the conflict
• Excellent writing skills: ability to prepare clear and concise reports, making and defending clear recommendations – both for internal and external purposes
• Strong communication skills and effective in representation and negotiation
• Proven experience of a collaborative approach
• Prior experience in supervising multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams
• Proven experience in managing and/or technically supporting protection programs (including project cycle management, people management and budgets)
• Familiarity with one or more of the following thematic issues is an asset: detention, judicial guarantees, missing persons and their families, protection of civilians, internal displacement, migration, community-based protection, child protection/education, urban violence, sexual and gender-based violence, data analysis, opportunities and challenges related to digital technology
• Familiarity with the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement is an advantage

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
• You are in good health and meet medical health checks requirements before qualifying for field deployments
• You have a valid driving license for manual transmission vehicles and be able to drive such vehicles independently in unfamiliar terrain
• Applicants must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least 18 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Competitive employment package with medical insurance and ICRC pension plan
• In-house training opportunities for personal development
• A full-time open-ended mobile contract / a full-time short -term mobile contract
• Opportunity to join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere to experience different contexts, fields and challenges
• Feel free to insert any benefits specific to your department/unit

Additional information

• Type of mobility: International 
• Type of contract: open-ended contract
• Length of assignment: 18 months minimum 
• Starting date: Depending on operational needs – continuous
• Deadline for applications:  28/2/2023

Ready to apply? Don't forget to check if you meet all the criteria before sending your application. You will need to upload your resume and a cover letter as well as copies of your diplomas and certifications, passport, and driving license. 

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.