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 1 advises Abuja Delegation on national implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Nigeria as well as maintaining an extensive and effective network among Nigerian authorities, academic circles, and other relevant actors. He/she initiates, formulates and implements strategies to advance ratification of relevant treaties and national implementation of the law to advance ratification of relevant treaties, national implementation of the law, and engagement from influential academics in favour of IHL. He/she conducts research on related issues as well as analysis of the national legal system.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Analyze the situation, advise and provide guidance on the national implementation of IHL, international human rights law (IHRL) and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Monitor developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant IHRL norms.
• Set and follows up on objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal issues related to national implementation of IHL.
• Represent the delegation in meetings with external partners and contacts.
• Establish and maintain an effective network of actors of influence within the Government of Nigeria, notably the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.
• Support the activities for the implementation of strategies, programmes and action plans related to IHL treaty participation, the development of relevant domestic legal and policy frameworks and mechanisms for their implementation.
• Provide legal advice and technical assistance to national authorities.
• Responsible for setting and implementing objectives, strategies and plans of action to support the academic circles file.
• Maintain relations with academic circles and supports the teaching of IHL in key universities across the country. Organizes events, workshops and lectures for IHL teachers and students.
• Provide targeted support to Nigerian IHL teachers and researchers to promote the international exposure of Nigerian IHL experts.
• Maintain relations with the Nigerian Red Cross Society
• Support IHL dissemination activities directed at specialized audiences.
• Ensure coordination and flow of information relevant departments and other legal advisers within the ICRC.
• Organize events, workshops and lectures on IHL for national authorities, teachers and students.

Certifications / Education required

• A university degree in Law.
• Master’s degree in public international law, International Humanitarian Law or Human Rights Law is an asset.
• Knowledge of public international law with focus on International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law. International Refugee Law, Disarmament Law or the Law of Treaties is an asset.
• 3 years of professional experience since graduation recommended. Experience in internships / traineeships is an asset
• Excellent command of English.
• Computer proficiency
• You must have a valid working permit to work in Nigeria

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment.
• Competitive employment package with medical insurance and ICRC pension plan.
• In-house training opportunities for personal development.
• A full-time, fixed-term contract (1year – renewable).
• The opportunity to join an ICRC talent pool, be considered for future assignments elsewhere and experience different contexts, fields, and challenges.

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.

Reports to (role)

• Operational Legal Coordinator

People management responsibilities

No

Relationships

• Internally, interacts/cooperates within the delegation and, as relevant, with the Regional Legal Coordinator/Adviser or Operational Legal Coordinator/Adviser.
• Externally, interacts with partners/contacts, including international organizations, dealing with relevant legal and thematic issues (e.g. lawyers, bar associations, the judiciary, parliament, the Attorney-General's Department, relevant UN agencies, international and national NGOs, prison working groups, etc.), and with academic circles.