Humanitarian Affairs Adviser

The ICRC Delegation to the United Nations (UN) in New York City, through its status of Permanent Observer to the United Nations, plays a key role in humanitarian diplomacy.

ICRC NYC team members must be highly motivated, skilled relationship-builders, curious and flexible, and quickly able to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-changing dynamics at UN Headquarters (UNHQ) and with Permanent Missions. Very good political instincts, the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities, experience managing competing interests, and the ability to think creatively and analyze an issue from multiple perspectives are indispensable.

The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser enables the delegation to understand and influence the wider humanitarian environment at the United Nations. They design and deliver effective diplomatic and policy strategies and shape the delegation's engagement at the United Nations as well as joining the dots globally. They contribute to the thinking and strategies of other policy/diplomacy hubs. They represent the ICRC in multilateral and bilateral engagements relevant to their responsibilities. They participate in meetings, monitor and analyze political dynamics, UN discussions and humanitarian trends, convey key ICRC messages to external interlocutors to influence debates, negotiations, and report internally on UN activities and relevant issues. They build and maintain a strong diverse diplomatic network at UNHQ and beyond as a critical component to all humanitarian diplomacy objectives.

Hierarchical: The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser reports to the Head of Humanitarian Affairs and Policy (Deputy Permanent Observer).

Internally, they interact with the Humanitarian Affairs team, the Head of Humanitarian Affairs (direct supervisor) and the Head of Delegation. They also interact with relevant operational delegations in the region(s) they cover and ICRC Geneva Headquarters (ICRC HQ), including regions, external engagement colleagues, and other relevant parts of ICRC HQ, such as Protection, and the Legal Division.

Externally, interacts with UN Member state and UN Observer delegates, UN secretariat and agencies staff, UN-related think-tanks, and other relevant persons.

Advise all levels of the ICRC on processes, fora and stakeholders related to humanitarian diplomacy and contribute to the development and delivery of the ICRC’s engagement and influencing strategies. Among other tasks and responsibilities, the position will include:

• Being the focal point for ICRC Humanitarian diplomacy for the Americas and Eurasia regions (excluding Türkiye), and in charge of the following thematic issues: climate and security, essential services, and hunger and conflict, among others.
• Monitoring/analyzing/reporting/influencing deliberations and decisions of the UN Security Council (UNSC); maintaining relations with Permanent Missions in New York and concerned ICRC regions and delegations 
• Maintaining dialogue with ICRC regions and delegations, informing and mobilizing diplomatic engagement enabling ICRC operations 
• Functioning as strategic anchor between relevant capitals, Geneva and NYC, for key policy and operational objectives
• Being the focal point for the strategic engagement in NYC and for UN processes on thematic issues of priority to the ICRC
• Monitoring/analyzing/reporting/influencing relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and debates
• Taking an active part in the planning of ICRC field and ICRC HQ engagements at the United Nations or with Member States (MS) (UNGA High Level Week and ICRC leadership / operations visits to New York)
• Maintaining regular dialogue and coordination with IFRC counterparts in New York relevant files
• Advising management on new UNSC dynamics and opportunities
• Contributing to designing and delivering effective diplomatic strategies, tactics, plans, and products based on the ICRC's global (and regional) humanitarian diplomacy priorities
• Building and sharing experience on the dynamics of both global and regional politics and positioning at state, regional and UN levels, particularly how these trends affect and inform geopolitics at UNHQ. Working with ICRC New York and ICRC HQ policy teams to cultivate and maintain an effective network of contacts within diplomatic circles, international organizations, governments, regional organizations, NGOs, and UN 
• Participating in the annual planning and budgeting process (Planning for Results), leading on objectives for their portfolio and setting policy/diplomacy direction and monitoring impact/outcomes. Determining work priorities related to the achievement of these objectives.
• Possibly supervising, coaching, training and providing technical support to Humanitarian Affairs associates and other team members in their department, as appropriate.

• 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.

• 8+ years of professional experience, ideally in humanitarian, policy, diplomatic or related fields
• Sound knowledge of international relations and the humanitarian and diplomatic environment
• Previous experience in humanitarian diplomacy capitals would be useful (Geneva, New York, Brussels, Addis Ababa, …)
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in developing and maintaining networks across a range of diplomatic or humanitarian actors
• Very good knowledge of the ICRC & institutional issues; i.e. operations, international humanitarian law (IHL), humanitarian principles, Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement
• Experience in negotiation between States and/or among UN entities, proven ability to negotiate
• Demonstrated experience in communicating with influence, particularly across cultures and within organizations
• Field experience in complex operations with an important presence of multilateral political, humanitarian & military actors of the UN including relevant agencies and the UN secretariat, as well as the RC/RC Movement & NGOs will be viewed very positively. ICRC field experience will be particularly valued
• A university degree in political science, law, international relations or similar is required. An advanced university degree in the same is highly desirable.
• Experience in contexts high on the UN agenda, in particular those at the Security Council, is an advantage

• Excellent capacity to conceptualize, and a proven record in planning, as well as rapid and quality reporting
• Excellent analytical skills and capacity to translate UN debates for the ICRC
• Understanding of the nature of both contemporary and future armed conflict, and the possible implications for humanitarian actions. Highly adept in networking and relationship management. Ability to engage diverse diplomatic interlocutors at various levels
• Understanding of underlying issues in negotiations between States, capacity & will to influence resolutions/PRSTs of the Security Council, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Excellent level of spoken and written English
• Spanish language fluency is highly desirable
• Abilities in one or more of the other official UN languages is an asset (French, Arabic, Russian or Chinese)
• Excellent people skills and a collaborator
• Proven ability to balance competing demands, assess political risks, and manage time in a fast-paced work environment. Flexibility and responsiveness are key
• Sensitivity to humanitarian, political, economic & legal analyses (Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law)
• Capacity to adhere to the ICRC core principles, in particular those of neutrality and impartiality
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work and scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles.

The salary range for this role is between USD 130,650 – USD 140,010.

You are required to:

1. include your resume (no more than two pages)
2. include your cover letter that highlights your interest, skills, experience, and salary requirements (no more than one page)
3. respond to the specified questions within the application

• Application Deadline: July 15, 2026. Applications may be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.
• Start date : August 10, 2026
• We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Apply now!

Our Values. At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values.

Any questions: contact us at was_hrrecruitment_services@icrc.org.