Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 09 Apr 2017
Purpose of the post
This post plays a key role in the achievement of the ICRC's and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's objectives in the field of arms and international humanitarian law (IHL). Reporting to the Head of the Arms Unit, the incumbent primarily serves as an institutional and international reference point in ongoing multilateral processes aimed at reaffirming, clarifying or developing the law governing new technologies of warfare, as well as for promoting adequate controls on arms availability and responsible arms transfers, notably through implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and regional arms transfer agreements.
Sitting in the Legal Division, the Arms Unit develops and represents the ICRC's legal and policy positions on the use or availability of weapons based on their human costs as observed in the field, and on new technologies of warfare based on their foreseeable effects, with the aim of protecting civilians from the indiscriminate effects of weapons and combatants from unnecessary suffering.
Main responsibilities and tasks
- Provide legal expertise and legal-policy advice on arms and IHL, with a focus on:
- responsible arms transfers, as well as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and regional instruments controlling arms transfers;
- requirements of States to carry out legal reviews of new weapons (Art.36 of Additional Protocol I);
- new technologies of warfare, notably autonomous weapon systems.
- Develop and implement strategies for the promotion of institutional objectives regarding these arms issues.
- Represent the institution's position and work on these arms issues to governments, UN agencies, National Societies and civil society.
- Write internal and external analytical notes, reports, briefing papers and articles on these and other arms topics.
- Prepare ICRC submissions to international organizations and speeches for ICRC officials.
- Organize and/or actively participate in multilateral treaty conferences, national and regional seminars, and various expert meetings;
- Develop technical and communication tools for promoting the ICRC's positions, and for understanding relevant IHL rules and the requirements of specific treaties as they apply to weapons;
- Participate in trainings for internal and external audiences on IHL and weapons;
- Undertake other assignments, including short field missions, as needed.
Education and experience required
- Advanced law degree;
- Expertise in public international law, with a strong grounding in IHL and solid understanding of human rights law and/or arms control regimes;
- At least five years professional experience in a public international law field or diplomacy, including three years in multilateral processes, preferably in the arms field;
- Good knowledge of the ICRC and the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement, with ICRC field and/or HQ experience an asset;
Skills
- Good judgement and considered decision-making
- Efficient and adaptable planning and organizing
- Collegial and collaborative teamwork
- Clear and effective oral and written communication
- Impeccable oral and written English and ability to understand French; mastery of another UN language an asset;
- Excellent research, analytical and communication skills and political judgement;
- Rigor and speed in drafting and revision of legal and policy texts;
- Excellent representational skills;
- Sense of initiative and the ability to work independently;
- Strong humanitarian motivation.
Additional information
Proposed length of assignment: two years (renewable)
Proposed BoM date (incoming staff member): 01.06.2017
Application deadline: 09.04.2017
How to apply: