Legal Adviser 2

The Legal Adviser represents the ICRC to the EU, NATO and Belgian authorities, ensuring appropriate consideration for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and supporting legal research, advocacy, and dissemination activities. The role involves analysis of legal documents, engagement with EU institutions and Belgian authorities, and contributing to IHL promotion and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Analyse legal documents and policies from European institutions and Belgium from an IHL/ICRC perspective.
• Draft legal notes/analysis and contribute legal aspects to briefing files, working papers, summary reports, 'non-papers' related to delegation activities and objectives.
• Conduct independent legal research and analysis on specific legal issues and broader EU and Belgian matters.
• Maintain and build a network of relevant IHL interlocutors within EU Institutions and Belgian authorities.
• Represent the ICRC mandate and IHL positions in external meetings/events.
• Contribute to the organisation of briefings with EU bodies working on IHL-related files.
• Identify challenges, opportunities and contribute to drafting engagement strategies with the EU and Belgium from an IHL perspective.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in relevant delegations and legal units at ICRC HQ on thematic areas such as preparedness, new technologies, Global IHL Initiative.
• Maintain relations with Belgian academic circles, support teaching of IHL, and develop relations with influential players and partners linked to legal questions and IHL promotion.
• Oversee organisation of the annual Bruges Colloquium on IHL.
• Provide support across IHL team activities including engagement with NATO and dissemination events.
• Contribute to recruitment and selection of Junior Legal Advisor and delegate tasks as appropriate.
• Contribute to definition and implementation of team objectives, budget planning and monitoring of results.
• Report appropriately for activities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in international law; solid knowledge of IHL, of human rights law and of European law.
• Minimum 3-5 years work experience in a similar function.
• English: very good oral and written skills, with knowledge of legal terminology.
• Working knowledge of French or Dutch.
• Trustworthy and reliable.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to integrate and work in a multicultural team.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced working environment.
• Ability to work independently, to organise their work and manage independently their own files whilst meeting deadlines.
• Ability to represent the organisation in external fora and in bilateral meetings with confidence.
• Working experience in government or the judicial sector is an advantage.
• ICRC experience is an advantage.
• Teaching/dissemination experience, including at academic level.
• Connections with government and academic circles, including own network of interlocutors (actors of influence).
• Experience in event organising is an asset.
• Good IT knowledge (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint…).
• Authorisation to work in Belgium

Skills

• International Humanitarian Law
• Human Rights
• EU Law
• Legal Research
• Legal Advocacy and Support
• Legal Terminology
• Legal Analysis
• Representation in External Fora
• Bilateral Meeting Representation
• Multi-cultural Team Collaboration
• Independent Work Management
• File Management
• Event Organising
• Teaching and Dissemination
• Public Sector Experience
• Judicial Sector Experience
• Network Building
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• MS PowerPoint

Languages

English, French, Dutch