Legal Adviser 2 at International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Legal Adviser 2

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to (role): Operational Legal Coordinator

Purpose

• The Legal Adviser 2 advises the Abuja Delegation on international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law, other relevant international law, and national law, and conducts related legal work.
• For that purpose, s/he maintains and develops an extensive and effective network among, notably, Nigerian federal government authorities (executive, legislative and judicial), and other relevant actors (CSOs, Nigerian Bar Association, etc.).
• S/he initiates, formulates and implements strategies to address identified issues and delegation objectives in the legal domain. S/he conducts, supervises and guides research on, and analysis of, specific legal matters and broader sectors of the national legal system.

Accountabilities & Functional Responsibilities

• Provides legal support on identified thematic/operational files. The position is based in Abuja with frequent travels to sub-delegations (at least one per quarter).
• Analyses the situation, monitors developments, and advises and provides guidance on the applicable national and international legal frameworks and norms in relation to delegation activities, objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal and related issues.
• Drafts legal notes/analyses and contributes with legal aspects to working papers, thematic reports, summary reports, 'non-papers' etc. related to delegation activities and objectives, including identified thematic/operational legal files.
• Performs independent research on and analysis of specific legal issues, as well as broader sectors of the national legal system.
• Supports IHL and IHRL dissemination activities directed at specialized audiences and the public at large and supports 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 on identified thematic/operational legal files.
• Monitors developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant IHRL norms.
• Represents the delegation in meetings with external partners and contacts. Contributes to the organization of round-table discussions, seminars, workshops etc. for such partners and contacts.
• Maintains and develops an extensive and effective network among, notably, Nigerian federal government authorities (executive, legislative and judicial), and other relevant actors (CSOs, Nigerian Bar Association, etc.). Contributes to the delegation’s up-to-date record of relevant contacts.
• Advises on socio-political and legal aspects of delegation strategy and operations.
• Supports protection objectives and activities on identified thematic/operational legal files.
• Supports as relevant the implementation of other prevention or protection-related objectives of the delegation.
• Contributes to efficient flow of information within the delegation’s legal team, and, as relevant, with other delegation departments, regional legal colleagues and technical reference persons at headquarters.

Certifications / Educational Qualification

• Candidates should possess a University Degree in Law with 3–5 years' working experience in a similar function.
• Master's degree or specialization in a discipline of public international law, including IHL and IHRL.
• Admitted to the bar / magistrate, or PhD, an advantage.
• Working experience in government / the judicial sector, as practising lawyer, or in another relevant organization, an advantage.
• ICRC experience an advantage.
• Teaching / dissemination experience, including at academic level.
• Applicant must have a valid working permit to work in Nigeria.

Desired profile and skills:

• Fluent in English (written and spoken); fluent command of locally spoken languages an advantage.
• Strong legal drafting skills.
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office etc.)
• Existing network of government, academic etc. contacts.

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 thispage.

Relationships:

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

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

Application Closing Date
16th March, 2026.