Associate for the ICRC Legal Division

The ICRC Legal Division offers a paid traineeship for one year at its headquarters in Geneva. The role supports various teams within the Legal Division by conducting legal research, reviewing documents, preparing meetings and reports, and monitoring developments related to international humanitarian law (IHL).

Responsibilities

• Support one or more teams in the Legal Division including Thematic Legal Advisers unit, Advisory Service on IHL, Arms and Conduct of Hostilities unit, Legal Advisers to the Operations unit, Project to update the Commentaries on the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and Privileges and Immunities team.
• Carry out research on specific legal questions primarily related to IHL.
• Review legal documents.
• Contribute to the preparation of meetings and events.
• Prepare draft reports or minutes of meetings.
• Monitor current developments in the online and academic discourse related to IHL.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in public international law (or at least 5 years of university studies including an equivalent training in public international law).
• Excellent knowledge of IHL, obtained through at least 20 hours of IHL courses or participation in an international or regional moot court competition with a focus on IHL, such as the Jean-Pictet Competition.
• Confirmed knowledge of at least one of the following areas of public international law: International Human Rights Law, International Refugee Law, International Criminal Law, Disarmament Law, the Law of Treaties or arbitration.
• Maximum of one year of professional experience related to international law since graduation, or two years of internships, including unpaid internships/traineeships.
• Experience in government, military or international organisations, or in international relations, humanitarian policy / multilateral diplomacy or arms control & disarmament is an asset.
• Strong legal research, drafting, analytical and writing skills.
• Fluency in English (C1 level required) and good command of one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish (B2 level required).
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.
• Flexibility and ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks.

Skills

• Public International Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Human Rights Law
• International Refugee Law
• International Criminal Law
• Disarmament Law
• Law of Treaties
• Legal Research
• Legal Drafting
• Legal Writing
• Analytical Skills
• Multilateral Diplomacy
• Humanitarian Policy
• Arms Control
• International Relations
• Moot Court Competition
• Document Review
• Report Preparation
• Meeting Preparation

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish