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Job Description
About the Role
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Adviser 2 to join our team in Abuja, Nigeria. This mid-level, full-time position is crucial for providing expert legal guidance to the Abuja Delegation on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL), other relevant international legal frameworks, and national law. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing legal strategies, fostering key relationships with government authorities and civil society organizations, and ensuring the ICRC's operations align with legal standards.
This position is based in Abuja and requires frequent travel to sub-delegations (at least once per quarter).
Key Responsibilities
Legal Advisory & Support: Provide comprehensive legal support and guidance on IHL, IHRL, and national law to the Abuja Delegation, particularly on identified thematic and operational files.
Strategic Development: Initiate, formulate, and implement strategies to address identified legal issues and achieve delegation objectives within the legal domain.
Research & Analysis: Conduct, supervise, and guide independent research and analysis on specific legal matters and broader aspects of the national legal system. Draft detailed legal notes, analyses, and contribute legal perspectives to various reports and working papers.
Networking & Representation: Maintain and develop an extensive and effective network among Nigerian federal government authorities (executive, legislative, and judicial), civil society organizations (CSOs), the Nigerian Bar Association, and other relevant actors. Represent the delegation in meetings with external partners and contacts.
Dissemination & Implementation: Support IHL and IHRL dissemination activities for specialized audiences and the public. Contribute to the implementation of strategies, programs, and action plans related to IHL treaty participation and the development of domestic legal and policy frameworks.
Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant IHRL norms. Contribute to the delegation’s up-to-date record of relevant contacts.
Operational & Protection Support: Advise on socio-political and legal aspects impacting delegation strategy and operations. Support protection objectives and activities, and other prevention or protection-related goals of the delegation.
Collaboration & Information Flow: Contribute to efficient information flow within the delegation’s legal team, with other departments, regional legal colleagues, and headquarters technical reference persons.
Event Organization: Contribute to the organization of round-table discussions, seminars, and workshops for partners and contacts.
What We Offer
Rewarding work in a challenging humanitarian and multicultural environment.
A competitive employment package, including medical insurance and an ICRC pension plan.
In-house training opportunities for continuous personal and professional development.
A full-time, fixed-term contract (1 year, renewable).
The opportunity to join an ICRC talent pool, be considered for future assignments globally, and experience diverse contexts, fields, and challenges.
Our Values
At the ICRC, we are driven by impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who embody these shared values in their professional conduct and interactions. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.
Relationships
Internally: You will interact and cooperate with various departments within the delegation, the Regional Legal Adviser/Coordinator, Operational Legal Adviser/Coordinator, and technical reference persons at headquarters.
Externally: You will autonomously engage with a wide range of partners and contacts, including international organizations, lawyers, bar associations, the judiciary, legislators, the Attorney-General's Department, relevant UN agencies, international and national NGOs, prison working groups, academic circles, and think tanks.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Experience
University Degree in Law.
A minimum of 3–5 years of professional working experience in a similar legal function.
Applicant must possess a valid working permit to work in Nigeria.
Fluent command of English (written and spoken).
Strong legal drafting skills.
Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Highly Desirable Attributes
Master's degree or specialization in a discipline of public international law, including International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
Admission to the bar / magistrate, or a PhD.
Working experience in government, the judicial sector, as a practicing lawyer, or in another relevant organization.
Previous experience with the ICRC.
Teaching or dissemination experience, particularly at an academic level.
Fluent command of locally spoken languages in Nigeria.
An existing network of government, academic, and other relevant contacts in Nigeria.
