Terms of Reference

Summary

 The ICRC works for the faithful application of international humanitarian law (IHL) applicable in armed conflicts and carries out protection and assistance programmes to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict. As part of this work, the ICRC promotes the IHL rules that protect education during armed conflict. IHL contains legal obligations that protect schools, students and teachers – as civilian objects and civilians – from attack during wartime and require weapons-bearers to take precautions to avoid and minimize damage to education facilities. In addition, over 110 States have committed to take steps to protect schools from military use during armed conflict by endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD).

The legal adviser role will provide legal advice to States and the “Education in Emergencies” humanitarian community regarding IHL protecting education from attack, as well as the Safe Schools Declaration and Guidelines. The objective is to achieve better awareness and implementation of IHL protecting students, teachers, schools and other educational facilities, and to work for wider endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration.

Scope of work and responsibilities

The legal adviser will:

• Be the main contact point between the ICRC and Global Coalition for the Protection of Education from Attack (GCPEA) to coordinate joint work, including support to priority states to endorse and implement the SSD
• Provide legal advice to states and other relevant stakeholders (including the members of the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies) regarding the protection of education in armed conflict
• Develop an internal ICRC Diplomatic Plan around the Safe Schools Declaration endorsement and implementation, in consultation with ICRC delegations
• Liaise with ICRC Delegations, States and civil society partners in identified priority contexts, for the purpose of influencing better compliance with IHL protecting education and endorsement or implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration and Guidelines
• Produce an ICRC Legal Commentary on the Safe Schools Guidelines

Requirements:

• Masters degree in international law, or equivalent, with confirmed expertise in IHL, international criminal law, public international law, and/or International Human Rights Law
• Fluency in English and ability to work in one other official language (e.g. Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish)
• Excellent knowledge of IHL and other relevant norms and understanding of the legal and political challenges related to their implementation
• Experience in managing complex legal files an asset
• Experience in legal research and publishing an asset
• Understanding of Education in Emergencies is an asset
• Prior experience with the International Committee of the Red Cross an asset

Management

The position is hosted by the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies and seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The post holder will report directly to the Head of Unit of Thematic Lawyers, ICRC, with technical support from the Head of Education, ICRC and HR & admin support from the EiE Hub.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are required to submit to secretariat@eiehub.org a copy of your CV, and a cover letter setting out your experience as it relates to this ToR. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Visa Requirements

A work visa will not be sponsored for this position; candidates must have authorization to work in Switzerland.

Note that this position will be contracted for one year initially and is contingent upon the receipt of project funding.

The deadline for applications is Friday 06 September COB.