What we do

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also seeks to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• The ICRC Legal Division fosters the respect for and promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL) and other relevant bodies of law. It delivers legal expertise vital for the ICRC’s dialogue with parties to armed conflicts, assists States in implementing IHL at the national level and works for the reaffirmation, clarification and development of IHL.
• The International Review of the Red Cross (IRRC) is an academic journal founded in 1869 produced by the ICRC and published three times per year by Cambridge University Press.

Purpose of the post

The ICRC is offering a number of paid traineeships in the Legal Division (to work across 6 different teams: the Legal Advisory Service on IHL; Arms & Conduct of Hostilities Unit; Legal Advisers to Operations Unit; Commentaries Update Unit; Thematic Legal Advice Unit and the Privileges & Immunities team) and one with the International Review of the Red Cross – at its headquarters in Geneva. The traineeships will start in late January or early February 2024.

Education and experience required

• A university degree in law or international relations.
• 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, acquired through at least 20 hours of IHL courses or participation in an international (Pictet) or regional mott court competition with a focus on IHL.
• Confirmed knowledge of at least one of the following area of public international law: International Human Rights Law, International Refugee Law, International Criminal Law, Disarmament Law or the Law of Treaties.
• Maximum of one year of professional experience related to international law since graduation, or two years including unpaid internships / traineeships.

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.
• Strong legal research, drafting, analytical, editing and writing skills.
• Prior work experience, including voluntary experience – particularly in government, military or international organisations, academic publishing or in the fields of international relations, humanitarian policy / multilateral diplomacy or arms control & disarmament.
• Proficiency in English (required); very good understanding of French or Spanish (desired); Arabic or Russian (an asset).
• Flexibility and an ability to efficiently prioritise multiple tasks and keep up with rolling deadlines.

Application

• A cover letter, not exceeding 750 words – which should specify if the application is for a traineeship in the Legal Division, the International Review of the Red Cross, or both.
• A CV, not exceeding 2 pages.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Type of contract: Traineeship
• Activity rate: 100 %
• Estimated start date: 01/02/2024
• Length of assignment: 12 months
• Salary: CHF 3’840 per month (x 13); CHF 49’920 per annum

• Application deadline: 19/05/2023

• Long-listed candidates will be invited to sit a written test.
• Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview.

In normal circumstances, tests and interviews will be conducted by the summer 2023. Candidates who are not selected will receive a rejection email.

The ICRC Legal Division and the IRRC actively welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. We will provide equality of opportunity and foster a team culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.