Legal Adviser – Kyiv – 866605

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC is mandated to work in countries affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. The ICRC is present in over 100 countries and has some 18,000 staff worldwide. In 2014, the ICRC expanded its presence in Ukraine. Over 900 team members working across the county in various professional fields.

About the job 

The ICRC Legal Department seeks a competent Legal Adviser to join our team in Kyiv. The Legal Adviser will play a key role in providing expert legal guidance to the ICRC delegation in Kyiv on matters related to international humanitarian law (IHL), national law, and both national and international legal issues. This position is crucial in initiating, formulating, and implementing strategies to address complex legal challenges, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and frameworks. The Legal Adviser will conduct in-depth research and analysis on specific legal topics and broader national legal systems, contributing to the development of effective strategies and solutions in line with ICRC’s humanitarian mission.

Start date: Immediately

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

• Analyze and provide legal guidance on applicable national and international legal frameworks related to delegation activities, strategies, and action plans
• Draft legal notes, analyses, and contribute to working papers, reports, and other documents related to delegation activities and objectives
• Conduct independent research and legal analysis on specific issues and broader sectors of the national legal system
• Support IHL dissemination efforts, including public outreach, and assist in the implementation of strategies for IHL treaty participation and domestic legal framework development
• Provide legal advice and technical assistance to national authorities and relevant stakeholders
• Monitor national implementation of IHL, international human rights law (IHRL), and related legislation impacting the humanitarian needs of populations affected by conflict in Ukraine
• Build and maintain relationships with academic circles, support IHL education, and develop a network of legal and IHL stakeholders
• Represent the delegation in external meetings, coordinate external legal consultancies, and manage administrative tasks related to the legal department’s activities

What we offer you

• A great team to work with and an organization where you have an impact
• Employment contract according to Ukrainian labor law with flexible working arrangements 
• Competitive salary between UAH 51,000 and 74,000 (gross) before taxation
• Medical insurance for you and your depending family members
• Comprehensive onboarding and learning opportunities
• 20 days of annual paid leave
• Convenient office location in the city center

The ICRC is an equal-opportunity employer that prioritizes staff safety and security. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our workforce and encourage qualified female and male candidates of all backgrounds, including candidates with disabilities to apply for the position. We also value our employees' professional growth and offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. For more information, visit the website http://www.icrc.org/.

About you

To be successful as Position Title in the Name of the Work Unit, you should possess the following qualifications and experiences and have the following characteristics:  

• Ukrainian citizenship or permanent residence permit in Ukraine
• University degree in Law (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
• Master’s degree or specialization in a discipline of public international law, or a related field
• Admission to the bar is considered an advantage
• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in a similar role, either within or outside the ICRC, including in government or the judicial sector
• Proven experience in teaching or disseminating legal knowledge, particularly in international humanitarian law (IHL)
• Strong legal drafting skills and experience in producing legal documents and analyses
• Professional fluency (written and spoken) in English and Ukrainian
• Computer literate, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Self-motivated with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn
• Ability to work independently, as well as effectively under supervision
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work within a diverse team and establish and maintain good working relations in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary environment

Interested? Yes? THEN APPLY!

Please submit your English CV, along with your motivation letter and salary expectations, to the attention of the ICRC People and Culture Team. Please label your CV with your first and last names (First Name LAST NAME). In addition, please complete the compulsory ICRC questionnaire. The questionnaire is available through the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/APw3dvQMHJ. (Click on the link or copy the link into your internet browser.)

Your application will be considered only once you have completed the ICRC questionnaire and uploaded your English CV .

Application deadline:  02 March 2025

Only candidates meeting the abovementioned criteria will be contacted to move forward in the recruitment process.

The ICRC reserves the right to re-issue the vacancy, cancel the recruitment process, offer a position at a lower grade, with an adjusted job description or different duration, or to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the deadline.