Associate, Review

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 endeavours 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. It directs and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of violence. 

Purpose

Produced by the ICRC and published by Cambridge University Press, the International Review of the Red Cross (IRRC) is a specialized peer-reviewed journal dedicated to international humanitarian law, policy and action. Published three times per year, its principal audience includes decision and policy-makers in governments, international governmental and non-governmental organisations, universities, the media, armed forces and all those interested in humanitarian legal and policy issues at large. The Review consists of a small team of three people within the Department of International Law and Policy of the ICRC: The Editor-inChief, the Managing Editor and the Associate. In addition, there are occasionally short-term academic trainees joining the team throughout the year for periods of 2-3 months in exchange for course credit. 

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

You will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and the Managing Editor in the evaluation of future themes for issues of the Review and work on substantively assessing and editing submitted articles, as well as deal with a variety of tasks pertaining to the Review’s overall content management. You will also assist with the promotion and distribution of thematic editions of the Review. The staff of the Review is in regular interaction with the ICRC’s Legal Division, as well as other divisions and departments, the ICRC’s Protection Division, Operations Department, and the Law & Policy Outreach Unit. 

Key responsibilities

• Assistance to the Editor-in-Chief and the Managing Editor of the International Review of the Red Cross across all daily activities of the Review; 
• Evaluation and editing of article submissions (checking the reasoning, arguments, structure and sources), including of submission dealing with topics of a legal nature; 
• Identification of potential authors and peer reviewers; 
• Research on a variety of topics in the realm of IHL, humanitarian policy and action, as per the needs of the Review in relation to articles under consideration; 
• Responding to queries or dispatching them to the appropriate colleague; 
• Engagement with authors, peer reviewers and publishers, in a diplomatic and politically astute manner, as an ambassador for the journal and the ICRC; 
• Interaction with both external and internal interlocutors on identifying potential topics to be covered in the Review and for commissioning articles. These include, but are not limited to: colleagues across the various units and departments in HQ, ICRC delegations, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, beneficiaries, and professionals outside the ICRC; 
• Preparation and co-conduct of interviews of key experts in the field of humanitarian law, policy and action for the Review; 
• Assistance in the development of a promotion strategy for upcoming editions of the journal in close collaboration with other members of the editorial team and other units within the Law & Policy Outreach Unit. 
 

Certifications / Education required

A Master’s degree in international law, preferably including a dedicated focus related to armed conflict studies. Demonstrated credentials in the field of international humanitarian law (IHL). 

Professional Experience required

For candidates to be eligible they must have a maximum of one year’s professional experience after graduation or two years if they have been in previous internships, traineeships or similar positions. 

What we offer

Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment; Attractive social benefits; Paid traineeship. 

Additional information

Deadline for the receipt of applications: 29 September (by midnight Swiss time).

• Type of role: Associate
• Working rate: 100% 
• Location: Geneva (This position allows you to get a visa and permit for working and living in Geneva, Switzerland) 
• Type of contract: Traineeship
• Gross monthly salary: 3891 CHF
• Length of assignment: 12 months 
• Reports to: The Editor-in-Chief of the Review 
• Estimated start date: January 2025

The Review team actively welcomes applications from a gender-inclusive and 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.
 

Our Values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this