About this role
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 The Legal Adviser is based in the Benghazi Sub-Delegation and is a member of the ICRC’s legal team in Libya.
- Under the technical supervision of the Head of the ICRC Legal Department in Tripoli and the hierarchical supervision of the Head of Sub-Delegation in Benghazi, s/he contributes to planning and implementing the ICRC’s legal activities.
- S/he conducts legal research, provides advice on international humanitarian law (IHL) and related legal matters, and supports IHL dissemination and national implementation.
- Working with colleagues across the delegation, s/he organises legal training and technical cooperation activities with authorities, academic institutions, the Libyan Red Crescent Society and other relevant interlocutors in eastern and southern Libya.
- Accountabilities & functional responsibilities Develops and maintains dialogue with relevant authorities, legislators, judicial actors, academic institutions, the Libyan Red Crescent Society and other stakeholders, particularly in eastern and southern Libya.
- Provides them with legal expertise and technical support on IHL promotion, dissemination and national implementation.
- Conducts legal research on domestic legislation and legal practice relevant to IHL and related legal matters.
- Prepares or contributes to technical legal notes, working papers, reports and training materials supporting the ICRC’s humanitarian activities.
- Plans , organises, conducts and evaluates IHL dissemination activities for specialised audiences and the wider public, coordinating related logistical and administrative arrangements with relevant departments.
- Represents the ICRC in associated external meetings and events.
- Supports efforts to promote participation in IHL treaties and their national implementation through relevant domestic legal and policy frameworks.
- Follows developments in domestic legislation and legal practice relevant to IHL implementation and related international human rights law provisions.
- Updates the legal reference database, identifies opportunities for technical cooperation on national implementation, and provides legal advice to the Head of Sub-Delegation on issues relevant to the ICRC’s humanitarian work.
- Supports other departments’ training, workshops and external engagements by preparing and delivering sessions on relevant IHL and other legal topics.
- Develops and maintains professional cooperation with academic institutions and legal specialists.
- Supports academic partners’ initiatives on IHL education, research, promotion and national implementation.
- Contributes to the annual planning and budgeting process of the IHL team and the Benghazi Sub-Delegation and monitors the implementation of the activities and budget lines assigned to the position.
- Provides legal advice and analysis on IHL and related legal matters to the Benghazi Sub-Delegation and relevant departments, in coordination with the ICRC Legal Department in Tripoli, to support the delegation’s humanitarian activities and priorities.
- Certifications / Education required University degree in law.
- Master’s degree or specialization in law, including public international law, international humanitarian law and/or human rights law.
- Excellent command of Arabic and very good command of English, both written and spoken, including the ability to conduct legal research and draft legal documents in both languages Good computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite, Excel etc.
- Professional experience required At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in legal advisory work, legal research, public international law, national legal institutions, academia or humanitarian/international organisations.
- Prior experience with an INGO, international organisation or the ICRC is an advantage.
- Admission to the bar, professional legal experience as a magistrate, or a PhD in law is an advantage.
- Working experience in government or the judicial sector is an advantage.
Your Profile
- Teaching and dissemination experience, including at the academic level.
- Sound knowledge of governmental, legislative, judicial and academic institutions in eastern Libya, preferably with experience of professional engagement with these institutions.
- Familiarity with relevant institutions in south-eastern Libya would be an advantage.
- Ability to lead and collaborate effectively, maintain a strong focus on the people served by the ICRC, represent the ICRC and the Movement professionally, sustain constructive professional relationships, and communicate clearly, respectfully and confidently with diverse interlocutors.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with flexibility and integrity.
- Ability to work effectively within a geographically dispersed country-level team and under shared functional and hierarchical management.
- Ability to contribute to the delegation’s legal work through activities adapted to local humanitarian needs and opportunities for cooperation.
- Readiness and ability to undertake field travel within Libya, subject to operational requirements.
What we offer
- A rewarding and enriching work opportunity in a humanitarian and international environment.
- Initial training and onboarding.
- A 12-month contract extendable A competitive compensation package A training opportunity to develop the quality of the services provided.
- 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.