As the ICRC endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles, the Legal Team of the ICRC Delegation in Ethiopia provides government with both legal advice and technical assistance regarding IHL implementation. It does so namely by engaging with national authorities, leading compatibility studies and organizing events such as thematic expert workshops. The Legal Team also works closely with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), academic institutions and other relevant groups and individuals with influence on the respect for IHL. In addition to its advisory service on the IHL implementation, the Legal Team provides the ICRC Delegation in Ethiopia with legal support for its operations.

Description of the position (Accountabilities & functional responsibilities):

• Contributes to organizing, planning and implementing seminars, dissemination programmes, and roundtables, on IHL and IHL-related topics;

• Makes presentation on general IHL and IHL thematic during external events, when required;

• Supports the legal team with the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, legal and policy recommendations.

• Contributes to research and drafting of legal compatibility studies, position papers and legal notes/memos or briefing documents as required;

• Contributes to maintaining and developing network with academic circles and IHL alumni within and beyond the academia.

• Contributes to the preparation of the ICRC national and regional/global IHL competitions within academic circles.

• Translates documents from English to other national languages and vice versa, as required

• Support the legal team in the organization and proper documentation of IHL files. 

• Regularly updating IHL databases and monitoring tools as required.

• Contributes to research on specific legal-operational thematics, including via desk research and, if required, meetings with selected stakeholders, held together with ICRC legal advisors, and takes the lead in drafting legal-operational analysis on specific thematics, as required.

• Represent the legal team in internal meetings when required. 

• Under the supervision of the Legal Advisor to Operations, support other departments (management, communication, cooperation, FAS-PGE, sub-delegations) with legal-operational advice, upon request.

• Interprets/translates communications/legal documents accurately from English to other national languages and vice versa, as required.

• Registers and treats information (general and specific) accurately and with confidentially.

• Prepares and submits reports of activities/meetings conducted/participated in a timely manner, including minutes of workshops and meetings

• Provides contributions to specific reports (MoM, short analytical papers)

• Ensures necessary administrative and financial work is implemented on time;

• Knows, applies and complies with all the administrative procedures linked to her/his work, as required.

• Provide other administrative and organizational support to the legal team as needed.

Job Requirements

• LL.B., including knowledge of and strong interest in international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Having completed or pursuing LLM in these fields is a strong asset. 

• Excellent research, analytical and writing or communication skills of legal and operation matters.

• Experience in participating in a national, regional or international IHL competitions (ideally) or human rights/criminal law moot courts is a strong asset.

• Capacity to work in tight schedules and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in English and Amharic. Knowledge of other international and local languages is an added value. 

What we offer:

• A challenging job opportunity within a dynamic work environment in an international humanitarian organization

• Training and development opportunities

• A competitive salary with benefits, based on the ICRC Compensation and Benefits framework

Additional Information:

• Type of role: National / Resident (Opened to Ethiopian Nationals ONLY)

• Working rate: 100 % 

• Location: Addis Ababa

• Hardship: H1

• Length of assignment: Three Months with the possibility of extension up to four months

• Application deadline: 14 December 2025

How To Apply

Applicants shall submit their electronic CVs and cover letter through THIS LINK

Women applicants and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

The ICRC has zero tolerance for fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. Therefore, ICRC Ethiopia will maintain the right to conduct background and reference checks on the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer to this position. All ICRC staff should uphold the standards of ICRC’s Code of Conduct.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted at all stages of the selection process.

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