Trainee/Associate (800789)

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.

Purpose

Representing the ICRC to the EU, NATO and the Kingdom of Belgium, the ICRC Brussels Delegation aims to, among others, ensure appropriate consideration for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and discuss IHL implementation, clarification, and possible developments with these interlocutors. It also disseminates IHL towards relevant audiences. The ICRC Brussels Delegation is therefore recruiting a Legal Associate to support the IHL team in the accomplishment of these objectives.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Supports the IHL team in developing briefings/speaking notes on IHL-related matters for high-level meetings;
• Prepares and organises the Bruges Colloquium (IHL Colloquium co-organised by the College of Europe and the ICRC), and drafts the Colloquium proceedings;
• Supports the organisation and participates in meetings, conferences, trainings and events (including drafting concept notes, contacting speakers, drafting reports, delivering training, etc.) and reports internally;
• Monitors, conducts research and drafts analysis on IHL practice and developments at EU, NATO and Belgium level;
• Interacts with other delegation colleagues of the EU and NATO teams and provides IHL input where needed;
• Supports the Senior Legal Advisor and the Legal Advisor in the preparation, participation and reporting of external engagements;
• Other administrative duties as required.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Annual salary around EUR 30k gross and benefits
• Length of assignment: 6 months contract under Belgian legislation with possibility of extension up to 12 months

Additional information

• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: January 2027
• Location: Brussels
• Application deadline: 26/11/2026

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.

Certifications / Education required

• Master’s Degree in Law with a specialisation (equivalent LL.M.) in International Humanitarian Law.
• Master’s Degree in European Law is an asset.

Professional experience required

• Previous professional experience in organising events/trainings is an asset;
• Previous experience in conducting research and drafting strategies, analysis and reports is an asset;
• Previous experience in a humanitarian organisation is an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of IHL;
• Knowledge of EU law and the functioning of EU and NATO institutions is an asset;
• Excellent knowledge of English oral and written (incl. legal drafting skills) and good knowledge of Dutch and/or French;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Computer/technological skills;
• Well-organised, with a capacity to prioritise tasks and work under pressure, and the ability to work alone and as a member of a team;
• Curiosity, adaptability and creativity.
• Authorisation to work in Belgium