Legal Adviser

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral and independent international humanitarian organisation, which assists and protects victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence. The ICRC is currently looking for staff for its support operations in Iraq.

 

ICRC offers:

• By joining our organization, you will have an opportunity to practise your profession in stimulating, complex, and sometimes challenging environments, where your work can really make a difference.
• You will work with colleagues from various fields of expertise in a cross-cutting manner to help victims of conflict and other situations of violence. You will be dealing with humanitarian situations that require experience, resourcefulness, and innovation to achieve the best possible impact.
• You will work for the oldest major international humanitarian organization in the world, adding to your sense of achievement in alleviating the suffering of people and communities and giving you the chance to promote humanitarian values in these turbulent times.
• You will benefit from a competitive employment package, including different possibilities for career and personal development. You will take part in an onboarding course and follow continuous training to build your career within the ICRC and beyond.
• Competitive compensation package, a monthly salary with benefits including (13th salary, International Retirement Saving Plan (IRSP), medical coverage, life insurance, mobility allowance, and social security scheme).

 

Job Title: Legal Adviser 2.  – Two Positions.

Level: B3.

Duty Station: Iraq – Baghdad Office.

Reports to: Operational Legal Adviser.

Duration of Contract: 12 Month fixed-term contract with the possibility of renewal to an open-ended contract. For internal candidates, this contract may be open-ended based on your existing contract status.

Date of Issue: 17 September 2025

Deadline for applications: 30 September 2025

 

Objective:

The role advises the delegation on international humanitarian law (IHL) as well as national and international legal matters and undertakes related legal work. It initiates, contributes to, formulates, and implements strategies to address identified humanitarian issues and delegation objectives within the legal domain. The position also guides research and analysis on specific legal matters in these areas and in broader sectors of the national legal system, providing legal notes, analyses, working papers, summary reports, or non-papers in support of the delegation’s activities and objectives. Over time, the role progressively assumes leadership on the IHL implementation file in Iraq. It represents the ICRC in external fora and events, contributing to the organization’s positioning as a reference on IHL and its implementation, while supporting senior management and program coordinators on related legal matters. Additionally, the role develops and maintains a network of influential institutions and individuals, assisting in devising strategies to map, attract, and mobilize them to strengthen the acceptance of IHL and the ICRC. Finally, it supports IHL dissemination activities and works towards implementing strategies and action plans related to treaty participation and the development of domestic legal and policy frameworks and mechanisms.

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Analyses the situation, advises and provides guidance on the applicable national and international legal frameworks and norms in relation to delegation activities, objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal and other related issues.
• Drafts legal notes/analyses and contributes with legal aspects to working papers, summary reports, ‘non-papers’ etc. related to delegation activities and objectives.
• Performs independent research on and analysis of specific legal issues, as well as broader sectors of the national legal system.
• Supports IHL dissemination activities directed at specialized audiences and the public at large and supports the implementation of strategies, programmes and action plans related to IHL treaty participation, the development of relevant domestic legal and policy frameworks and mechanisms for their implementation.
• Provides legal advice and technical assistance to national authorities in the domain of ICRC work and IHL.
  Monitors developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant international human rights law (IHRL) norms. Represents the delegation in meetings with external partners and contacts.
• Maintains relations with academic circles, supports the teaching of IHL and develops and maintains relations with influential players and a network of partners and contacts linked to legal questions and policy, as well as IHL promotion and implementation.
• Advises on socio-political and legal aspects of delegation strategy and operations.
• Supports protection objectives and activities (including in the fields of detention, missing persons, etc.).
• Coordinates and supervises external consultancies on legal issues. May supervise staff related to her/his function.
• Supports as relevant the implementation of other prevention or protection-related objectives of the delegation(s).
• Provides legal advice regarding the ICRC status, privileges, and immunities, and supports the dialogue of the Delegation on the matters related thereto.

Education and Professional Experience required:

• University degree in law. Master’s and PhD degree in law, or specialization in IHL or related area of international law preferred.
• 5 years of working experience in a similar function.
• Excellent knowledge of national legal framework
• Good knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and other relevant areas of international law
• Proven capacity to conduct independent legal research.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills
• Good communication & negotiation skills
• Full business proficiency in English and Fluent in Arabic
• Computer proficiency.

How to Apply: All qualified and interested candidates should forward their applications with a detailed updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating email and phone contact, a motivation letter stating why they think they have the necessary skills and qualifications for this job opportunity; and their salary expectations. Clearly marked to (bag_hrservices@icrc.org) with the subject line: SURNAME first name/ vacancy title.

• Only CV and motivation letter in PDF format and as attachment will be accepted.
• Applications will only be accepted with valid residency and work permit in Iraq.
• The successful candidate will undergo a three months’ probation period.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not have heard from us within a month of receiving your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.

No Fee:

ICRC DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS WHETHER APPLICATION, TESTS, INTERVIEWS OR PROCESSING.