Traineeship in Policy and Diplomacy

Contract

This is a ICRC - Traineeship contract. More about ICRC - Traineeship contracts.

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 of the position

The ICRC’s Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy Division

The ICRC’s HQ Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy Division is part of the Department of International Law and Policy, and plays a central role in developing and delivering institutional policy and diplomacy objectives of the ICRC as well as supervising the ICRC’s delegation in New York. The Division works closely with the ICRC’s Presidency, the Department of Operations and across the institution to craft strategic policy objectives, design and deliver diplomatic strategies, and influence key ICRC partners. The Division also works closely with the International Federation and National Societies on areas of mutual policy interest.

Policy and diplomacy has a dual role at the ICRC: to guide the ICRC internally and to influence others. Humanitarian diplomacy supports the feasibility, acceptance and integrity of operations/field action, as well as the organization’s legal and policy initiatives, particularly with States and international organizations. The Division is also responsible for the oversight of internal policy that guides the action of the ICRC and for the development of fundamental doctrines that define how the ICRC’s Mission should be carried out. The ICRC relies on the Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy Division to develop and deliver intellectually sound, principled and compelling policy positions that resonate with the ICRC’s Mission and are easy for others to understand and communicate. Members of the team therefore need to be in close interaction with the ICRC’s operations, intellectually strong, diplomatically skilled and engaging communicators with good political instincts.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

The Division relies on two Associates to support its work. Each Associate spends one year with the Division and works as an integral part of the team and the wider organization. Associates are specially selected for their mix of intellectual, practical and inter-personal skills. We are hiring two positions, one passionate about diplomacy and one on policy.

The main role of the Diplomatic Associate, is to support the division in understanding relevant processes and policy across the United Nations system in Geneva, in maintaining and developing a network with the UN and NGOs in Geneva and other key partners, and in ensuring timely and strategic engagement by the ICRC in UN and inter-agency fora, such as the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). They will also provide occasional support to other humanitarian diplomacy tasks as needed.

The main role of the Policy Associate is to support the Policy team in developing substantive, evidence-based positions of the ICRC on key global policy thematics (e.g. conflict and climate, urban warfare, food security) through research, drafting and analytical support. The Associate will also support engagement and coordination with other units, environment scanning and monitoring on key topics, and may be asked to support external and internal events.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Supervise and report on UN/NGO/policy discussions in Geneva on key themes and contexts of relevance to the work of the ICRC;
• Prepare background notes and briefing files on key thematic- and context-specific discussions;
• Contribute research to and draft a wide range of policy products;
• Support ICRC’s participation at bilateral, multilateral and public meetings in Geneva;
• Support in coordinating the ICRC’s engagement with the Human Rights Council, collaborating closely with Operations and the Legal Division;
• Support in coordinating the ICRC’s engagement at high-level week during the UN General Assembly, in close collaboration with the President’s office and the New York delegation;
• Support in the planning, design and coordination of strategic dialogues with key UN agencies and other key actors;
• Support in the planning and coordination of ICRC engagement at the IASC and SCHR;
• Support the Division, as required, on other tasks related to senior leadership external engagements, engagement with NGOs, and collaboration with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement on policy and humanitarian diplomacy efforts.

Education and experience required

• A Master’s degree OR 5-year undergraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. international relations, international politics, international law, humanitarian action, development, peace/conflict studies, etc.);
• Two years of relevant professional experience after graduation;
• Proven prior experience supporting senior leadership in high-level external engagements;
• Prior work experience with the UN, an NGO, or a diplomatic mission (at HQ or in-country);
• Proven experience in critical analysis, research and writing;
• Excellent analytical, organizational, writing and communication skills;
• Capacity to work fast in response to tight deadlines and with attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Sound understanding of international humanitarian law and/or human rights law;
• Excellent English speaking and written skills; French a strong asset:
• Available for 1 year.

Desired profile and skills

• Proven prior exposure to UN and interagency fora and processes (e.g., IASC, Human Rights Council) through professional or academic work;
• Work experience in a humanitarian setting with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, UN or NGO;
• Lead or contributing author of a publication, academic or professional (e.g. thesis, article, book chapter).

What we offer

A 12-month paid traineeship contract, based at ICRC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, with exposure to various ICRC teams and aspects of the ICRC’s work.

Additional information

• Type of role / Contract type: Traineeship
• Length of assignment: 12 months
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: Geneva
• Relocation: Not provided for traineeships
• Visa/permit: Legitimacy card provided
• Gross monthly salary: 3,840 CHF
• Starting date: 01.05.2023
• Application deadline: 01.03.2023 (by 11:59 pm CET)

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter of no more than 700 words and a CV (Word or PDF format), in English. Any documents other than the two listed above will not be considered. In you cover letter, please answer the following questions:

• What is your interest in applying to this specific position at the ICRC?
• What can you bring to the Division and the ICRC?
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Owing to the high number of applications, only the selected candidates will be contacted for a written test, which will be followed by an online interview.

Please be aware that the ICRC has other Traineeship positions with separate application processes (for further information see the ICRC website). The application process for ICRC delegate positions is also a separate one. No information on these can be provided. Associates do not have preferential treatment or fast-tracked access to recruitment processes for other ICRC positions.

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