Job Detail

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.

Purpose

The Legal Counsel's role is to second and support the General Counsel, to whom she reports diretly, in all areas within the GC's scope of responsibility and replaces him/her in case of absence.S-he provides legal advice and support notably in the following areas : HR, contracts, risk management, operations, governance.

The ICRC General Counsel provides independent legal advice to all departments of the ICRC on most corporate matters, thereby contributing to the adequate protection of the ICRC's interests and the prevention and appropriate management of legal risks facing the institution in a coherent and dynamic manner. The General Counsel ensures the adequacy and compliance of internal processes, policies and practices with external and internal legal requirements and suggests improvements to the extent necessary or advisable. The General Counsel acts as a strategic adviser in the context of social, financial, technical and commercial decisions of the institution. The General Counsel represents the ICRC in litigations and coordinates the work done by external counsel. 

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support in all areas impacting the ICRC (employment, logistics, procurement, administration, operations, data protection, governance, fundraising, innovation, intellectual property, privileges and immunities, regulatory issues, etc.)


• Drafts, reviews and negotiates contracts for the ICRC in all areas where this is needed


• Drafts legal opinions.


• Advises in the context of the adoption of various types of documents (policies, memos, position papers, risk assessments, etc.)


• Follows and contributes to decision making processes and internal procedures (notably in the area of compliance, information security, risk management)


• Represents the ICRC before Swiss judicial and administrative bodies and with the Swiss Mission for all matters pertaining to his-her areas of responsibility.

Reports to (role)

General Counsel

People management responsibilities

No

Certifications / Education required

• Master in Law from a Swiss university.


• Admission to the bar


• Computer proficiency.


• Oral and written fluency in French and English.

Professional Experience required

Professional experience of 5 - 8 years in (above-mentioned) relevant areas

Sound experience in contract drafting and negotiation and/or Swiss employment law

ICRC experience an asset

Desired profile and skills

• Capacity to listen, analyse and solve problems


• Ability to work simultaneously on several files and priorize


• Ability to synthesize


• Capacity to influence and convince


• Good interpersonal skills


• Abiliy to work in a team / network


• Good writing skills


• Loyalty and integrity


• Ability and willingness to work in the various domains explained above

Additional information

• Location :                           Geneva


• Type of contract :               Open-ended


• Activity rate :                      100%


• Length of assignment :       4 years, extendable


• Estimated start date :          01.01.2019


• Application deadline :      14.10.2018