Job Opportunity
ICRC Mission in Seoul
Function: Legal Adviser
Employment type: Full-time. Only Korean National
Start Date: ASAP
Working Place: Seoul, Republic of Korea
ABOUT ICRC
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 persons affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.
PURPOSE
Under the direction of the Head of ICRC Mission in Seoul and the technical supervision of the Head of the Legal Department based in Beijing, the Legal Adviser, contributes to the design, planning and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) projects and activities in the Republic of Korea, in coordination with the management. S/he advises the Mission on IHL and national and/or international legal matters. S/he conducts research on and analysis of specific legal matters and broader sectors of the
national legal system. S/he contributes to representing the ICRC externally and to building the necessary understanding, acceptance and support of the ICRC among key stakeholders.
RELATIONSHIP
• Internally, interacts/cooperates within the Mission and, as relevant, with the Head of Legal Department.
• Externally, interacts with National Authorities (Government Ministries, National IHL Committee, Armed Forces etc), Think Tanks, the Korean National Red Cross, academic circles (eg Universities) and international organizations, dealing with relevant legal and thematic issues.
ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
IHL (70%)
▪ Organizes meetings, gatherings or conferences under the direction of the Head of Legal Department, applying relevant administrative and logistics procedures.
▪ Follows up and keeps track of programme & activity development, and budget expenditure.
▪ Provides translation, takes notes during meetings and conferences, and drafts reports and Minutes of Meetings based on them.
▪ Analyses the situation, advises and provides guidance on the applicable national and
international legal frameworks and norms in relation to the Mission’s activities, objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal and other related issues.
▪ Drafts legal notes/analyses and contributes with legal aspects to working papers, summary reports, ’non-papers’ etc. related to the Mission’s activities and objectives.
▪ Participates in the development and implementation of institutional strategies for IHL promotion, implementation and development in RoK.
▪ Performs independent research on and analysis of specific legal issues, as well as broader sectors of the national legal system.
▪ Supports IHL 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.
▪ Supports the provision of legal advice and technical assistance to national authorities and other interested parties.
▪ Monitors developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant international human rights law (IHRL) norms.
▪ Maintains relations with academic circles, supports the teaching of IHL and develops and maintains a network of partners and contacts linked to legal questions and IHL promotion and implementation.
▪ Represents the Mission in meetings with external contacts; participates in dissemination sessions if required.
▪ Advises on socio-political and legal aspects related to the Mission’s strategy and operations.
▪ Represent ICRC on IHL related engagements.
▪ Promote the ratification, implementation and dissemination of IHL related treaties.
▪ Contribute to the Customary IHL Study.
▪ Strengthen and develop the network of actors of influence for the promotion and integration of IHL within relevant entities and actors of influence.
▪ Provides support to the National Society on legal matters.
▪ Coordinates and supervises external consultancies on legal issues.
▪ Creates and maintains a network of contacts within think tanks and research institutions specializing in law, policy and humanitarian affairs.
Security & Armed Forces Programme (FAS) (20%)
▪ Supports the FAS programme officer by interacting with the military (JAG officers in particular) on relatively complex IHL issues.
▪ Independently creates, maintains, develops and feeds a database containing various levels of police authority contacts or other relevant external interlocutors, such as police attachés.
Communication (10%)
▪ Supports the communication department in the translation of IHL and other legal publications.
▪ If needed, supports the communication department in communicating publicly on IHL related events.
▪ Supports the communication department in the organization of IHL awareness programmes.
Additional duties
▪ This job requires national and international travel up to 20% of the time.
▪ May be required to work overtime as defined by the needs of the department or on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), subject to Korean labour law, in which case he/she will be compensated for his/her overtime work in accordance with Korean labour law.
GENERAL DUTIES
• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times
• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary
REQUIREMENTS
Certification I Education required
• University degree in law.
• Preferably Master’s degree or specialization, in a discipline of public international law.
• Fluent command of English and Korean (including legal drafting skills).
• Computer proficiency.
Professional experience required
• 3 years’ work experience in a related field. Working experience with an international organisation and/or overseas is an asset.
• Teaching/dissemination experience is an asset. The person must be at ease addressing large audiences.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit CV, cover letter and names & contact details with e-mail addresses of two referees in English to Ms Shuying ZHANG shzhang@icrc.org by Monday 10 June 2024.
(Only successful candidates will be contacted for the interview.)
Previous applicants need not apply again.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
▪ ICRC Website: https://www.icrc.org/ (ENG) | https://kr.icrc.org/ (KOR)
▪ ICRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/icrc (ENG) | www.facebook.com/icrckr (KOR)