Associate External Engagement

What We Do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

More about the External Engagement Team

The ICRC’s Strategy and External Engagement team is part of the office of the Director of the Department of Operations and plays a central role in setting internal strategy and policy underpinning the ICRC’s efforts to protect and assist victims of conflict and other forms of violence.

The External Engagement team supports the design and delivery of effective diplomatic strategies to influence states in relation to IHL compliance as well as ensuring coherent messaging grounded in operational realities to support the ICRC’s engagement with third states in relation to armed conflicts, including at ICRC leadership-level. The External Engagement team also works closely with other departments such as Policy, Legal, Resource Mobilization, and Communications – together with the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (HAA) network in the field - to support the ICRC’s bilateral and multilateral engagement on humanitarian contexts and cross-cutting issues that stem from the organization’s operational responses across the globe.

Humanitarian diplomacy in the ICRC consists of the activities undertaken to influence decision makers and opinion leaders to act in the best interest of the people affected by humanitarian crisis and conflicts, in line with international humanitarian law and principles. It is about building and sustaining high-level diplomatic relationships, gaining and leveraging influence in international relations to secure support for ICRC’s operations, IHL and humanitarian objectives more generally.

Members of the team need to be able to interact effectively with the ICRC’s operations, while being diplomatically skilled with good political instincts.

Reports to (role)

External Engagement Adviser

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The Associate spends one year with the Department of Operations and works as an integral part of the team and the wider organization. Associates are specially selected for their mix of intellectual, practical and inter-personal skills.

A primary function of the Associate is to support the Operations External Engagement Advisors in their work facilitating the Humanitarian Affairs (HAA) network. As part of this function, the Associate will be tasked with ensuring the Operational Engagement Knowledge Space is kept up to date with context and thematic updates for diplomatic engagements in the field and will support the team in developing the content and user experience of the platform.

Other tasks in support of the HAA network will include:

• Providing substantive support to the review of operational updates shared by regions for individual operations;
• Moderating HAA network Teams chats to ensure smooth exchange of information across the network;
• Assisting in the preparation of events for the HAA network, such as the annual HAA gathering.

Another key role of the Associate will be to provide support to UN engagements in Geneva, and specifically to support the External Engagement Adviser in their role as focal point for the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Human Rights Council (HRC).

• Inform colleagues of HRC meetings and ensure a minimum of coordination across the ICRC on HRC-related platforms;
• Monitor and report on specific UN discussions of relevance to the work of the ICRC;
• Review and edit briefing files and speeches as required.

The Office of the Director of Operations is engaged in humanitarian diplomacy across all regions, and will need ad hoc support for various external engagements. The Associate will also provide occasional support to the Director of Operations’ team on other humanitarian diplomacy tasks as needed, including on crisis diplomacy.

• Supports in coordinating the ICRC’s engagement at bilateral, multilateral and public meetings and conferences, in close collaboration with relevant teams;
• Contributes to the production of strategic guidance, and mapping to enhance engagement and influencing on key contexts;
• Contributes to the drafting of analytical summaries and other written products in support of the Directorate of Operations.

Required Profile and Skills

• Recent University Degree in related social and/or technical sciences (e.g. social sciences, international relations, humanitarian, development, peace/conflict studies, etc), and up to two years of relevant professional experience (including internships or volunteer work).
• Work experience in a humanitarian setting with civil society, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, or the UN is a strong asset
• Prior exposure to UN and interagency fora and processes (e.g., IASC, Human Rights Council) through professional or academic work is a strong asset
• Experience developing a webpage; a workspace, or other online tool that would be relevant;
• No more than two years of relevant professional experience after graduation;
• Demonstrated experience in critical analysis, research and writing, with strong communication skills;
• Capacity to work fast in response to tight deadlines and with attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Verbal and written fluency in English is required; French a strong asset.
• Available for 1 year.

Additional Information

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: ASAP
• Length of assignment: 12 months
• Visa/permit: Legitimation card - provided
• Gross monthly salary: CHF 3’934 (paid in 13 installments)
• Application deadline: Sunday, 11 October 2026
  

Please note : This traineeship is open to candidates with a maximum professional experience of two years, of which no more than one year is in a full-time paid position after completion of studies.

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

Are you ready to explore the next chapter of your career? Apply now!

For more information about working at ICRC HQ please click here.

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 page.