Job Description

Vacancy No.

S15510

Category of Contract

International

Position Type

International

Application Deadline

08/10/2025

Job Posted On

24/09/2025

Duty Station

Geneva

Country

SWITZERLAND

Grade

F2

Duty Station Status

Family Duty Station

Accompanied Status

Accompanied

Duration

12 months

Organizational Context

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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is "to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world." IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.



IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.



IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) People and Strategy, and (iv) Legal, Governance Support and Accountability.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.



IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.



The Legal Department, including the Data Protection Office, is part of the Legal, Governance Support and Accountability Division, and reports to the Under-Secretary General for Legal, Governance Support and Accountability. In addition, the General Counsel leads and manages the Global Legal Team composed of highly qualified lawyers in the Legal Department in Geneva and strategically posted in the field. The Legal function supports the Federation globally in the following areas:



Management of legal risks; Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory framework; and Support to national societies in their own legal risk management.

The position of Managing Legal Counsel for Administrative Law and Institutional Matters is part of the Legal Department.



The position requires travel from time to time.

Job Purpose

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Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the Managing Legal Counsel for Administrative Law and Institutional matters is a lead professional and expert who will manage and provide leadership and oversight to a team of legal advisers in charge of Administrative Law and Institutional Matters.



Furthermore, the Managing Legal Counsel for Administrative Law and Institutional Matters provides expert and authoritative legal advice to management and staff at all levels of the organization and globally, to ensure a global approach to compliance obligations and legal risks and mitigate the risks and liability of the organisation in a broad range of areas and in particular in relation to international and diplomatic law, employees' relations, labour law and disciplinary matters, fraud and investigations and case management.



The incumbent will:

Lead and support the organization's activities globally, in relation to the management of the legal risks in the aforementioned areas and develop the standards and tools for related matters; Lead and develop the organisational legal claim management system and the related standards and tools; Manage the development and maintenance of the contract management system in use globally; Proactively contribute to the development of the organization's broader policy and legal services to its membership; Assist the General Counsel with the management of the member of the Global Legal Team dealing with Administrative Law and Institutional matters; and Serve as deputy of the Global Legal Team and Legal Department, filling in for the General Counsel as need be.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

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The Managing Legal Counsel for Administrative Law and Institutional Matters is primarily responsible for:

Leadership:

Role model IFRC's values and principles in day-to-day operations with respect to its commitment to legal compliance and risk management with the highest care and standards. Provide strategic leadership and innovation in the development and implementation of the legal strategy with respect to administrative law and institutional matters in line with the Strategy 2030 and the Agenda for Renewal. Ensure systematic analysis of applicable legal framework and trends in the sector, develop creative solutions to ensure achievement of results to engage with all internal and external stakeholders. Ensure a common global approach to compliance and legal risks with respect to administrative and institutional law worldwide, with the oversight of the team of legal advisers and network of local counsels/law firms. Lead the overall management of the team of legal advisers dealing with administrative and institutional law, its Key Performances Indicators (KPI) and objectives, the development and implementation of the Federation's overarching legal strategy and compliance framework and its translation into day-to-day work, and the yearly plan and budget, ensuring alignment throughout the organisation and especially between service functions and operations. Manage the team of legal advisers dealing with administrative and institutional law, provide directions to, and ensure quality and consistency of, the legal support provided by them worldwide. Define clear roles, responsibilities, and activities, and assign them across team members on an ongoing basis while improving efficiencies within available resources. Plan, manage and monitor the use of available resources (people, budgets, etc.) of the team to deliver the agreed activities for administrative and institutional law. Foster a customer service-oriented culture that values accountability for results, proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance. Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation, and satisfaction. As a member of the Legal Management Team, provide key strategic advice and support to anchor IFRC leadership in public sector influencers networks, high level meetings and other strategic fora.

Coordination and Oversight:

Manage the development of a framework of assurances over key legal compliance and risk matters in the IFRC Secretariat's delegations and operations, including the implementation of training, self-assessment, legal compliance and risk assessment, and local reporting and accountability mechanisms. Oversee the roll-out of the IFRC Secretariat's legal compliance and risk management tools to all Regional Offices and delegations, and support as necessary, the Secretariat's teams at headquarters and in the field. Guide HR, OIAI, Governance, senior management, and all relevant colleagues at all levels of the organisation, as well as the leadership (governance) in identifying and implementing appropriate legal risk management approaches and mitigation measures. Ensure the initiatives of different teams and departments are coordinated in relation to legal compliance and risk management.

Work with colleagues across the IFRC in multi-disciplinary teams to identify areas of improvements in terms of legal compliance and risk management, convene lessons learned and provide adapted and innovative solutions and tools to address shortfalls.

Engage with key Movement partners, including ICRC and NSs, on best practices and with regards to Movement initiatives relating to legal compliance and risk management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

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Building of Strategic Alliances, Relationship Development and Support to Membership:

Lead the delivery of service improvement, good practice, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing between the IFRC and NSs and between colleagues with respect to the legal aspects of administrative and institutional law globally. Manage the development of webinars, legal tools, and services for National Societies in the areas of legal compliance and risk management in the aforementioned areas of expertise, with the overall provision of legal advice, and development of common templates, standards, and guidance for agreements within the Movement and with external partners. Strengthen the active and vibrant network of legal advisers from National Societies and the ICRC, particularly with regard to the annual legal advisers' meeting. Develop, broaden, and strengthen the network of external legal experts and other experts from other humanitarian organizations and relevant professional networks for sharing best practices, build strategic alliances, advocates in support of IFRC's mission and represent the IFRC accordingly in different fora.

Systems Strengthening and Knowledge Sharing:

Manage the development and maintenance of legal policies, tools, systems, standards, and procedures in relation to legal compliance and risk management in relation to administrative and institutional law globally. Proactively identify areas for improvement and provide legal advice in relation to the development and implementation of Federation-wide systems, procedures, policies, and tools, which have an impact on the legal obligations and risks of the organization and administrative and institutional law matters. Manage the dissemination of legal compliance and risk management good practice throughout the organization.

Management of compliance obligations and legal risks:

Provide expert and authoritative legal advice and guidance at all levels of the organization and globally, regarding legal compliance and risk management on a broad range of general legal issues and specific complex and sensitive legal matters, including in relation to the development and implementation of Federation-wide systems, procedures, policies, and tools, which have an impact on the legal obligations and risks of the organisation:

(1) Employees' relations, Labour, disciplinary and ethics matters



(2) Fraud, investigation and Integrity matters



(3) Prevention of and Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH)



(4) Case management: Handling of disputes (mediation, arbitration, litigation etc.) in which the Federation or its employees are a party



(5) Audit



(6) International and Diplomatic law

Training

Manage the development of training material and provide trainings to IFRC staff and national societies legal advisers on legal risks and compliance and any issue of legal expertise relating to Administrative Law and Institutional Matters.

Other tasks

Monitor legal information and developments that are or may be applicable to the Federation and National Societies.

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Education

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Required

University degree in Law Bar Membership or equivalent

Preferred

Specialized studies in Public International Law, International Organization Law, and/or Management.

Experience

--------------

Required

At least 12 years of prior experience in the practice of law. Experience in private practice and/or in-house corporate legal environment. Field experience handling legal issues. Knowledge of diplomatic law. Knowledge of the ILOAT case-law. Experience with contract management systems (CMS). Experience in dealing with outside counsel. Experience in working in a team environment, with remote team members. Sensitivity in and prior exposure to cross-cultural situations.

Preferred

Experience in managing people remotely. Red Cross/Red Crescent experience or other humanitarian/non-for-profit experience would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

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Knowledge and Skills

Required

Advanced expertise in international, administrative, and employment law, including disciplinary matters, investigations, and diplomatic legal frameworks. Strong proficiency in legal risk management and compliance, with experience in developing global standards, tools, and systems for claims, contracts, and case management. Good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality. High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively to varied audiences, including senior leadership and global stakeholders. Work and communicate effectively across cultures with high multicultural sensitivity. Excellent drafting skills. Professional work ethic. Knowledge of applicable legal and regulatory framework to international organisations. Leadership and strategic advisory skills, including managing legal teams, advising senior management, and contributing to organizational legal and policy development. Strong team management and collaboration abilities, fostering a supportive and high-performing environment across geographically and culturally diverse teams. Training and coaching skills. General knowledge of international affairs Proficiency in using legal and organizational digital tools, such as document management systems, contract platforms, case tracking software, and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams), to support efficient and secure legal operations.

Preferred

Ability to manage change projects (CMS). Knowledge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent International Movement.

Languages

Required

Fluent spoken and written English Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

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Values:

Respect for diversity; integrity; professionalism; accountability.

Core Competencies:

Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, Building Trust

Functional Competencies:

Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Empowering Others

Managerial Competencies

: Managing Staff Performance; managing Staff Development.