Tracing agency and protection

WHAT WE DO

As the custodian of international humanitarian law (IHL), the ICRC − based on its mandate delivered by the international community − focuses on providing humanitarian protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.

The ICRC’s protection work aims to ensure that authorities and other actors respect their obligations and the rights of individuals in order to preserve the safety, physical integrity and dignity of those affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. Protection includes efforts to prevent or put a stop to actual or potential violations of IHL and other relevant bodies of law or norms.

The ICRC therefore seeks to influence government officials and armed actors, in order to put an end to certain violations of IHL/international human rights law (IHRL) and to prevent future ones, through engagement in confidential and bilateral dialogue or other means of persuasion. The ICRC also informs policy development on issues of concern.

Our protection teams seek to respond to the needs of affected people and communities in a holistic manner, through a multidisciplinary approach and often in collaboration with local organizations or partners.

The ultimate aim is to reduce human suffering during times of armed conflict or other situations of violence.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience (e.g. social sciences, political science, development studies, international law, human rights, criminology, penology…)
Fluency in English and one of the following: French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian
A third language is a plus
Strong motivation for protection work and commitment to the ICRC’s mandate and modus operandi; demonstrated ability to work in proximity to affected people and communities and to show empathy
Proven interpersonal skills and strong commitment to a collaborative approach
Previous work experience in a similar field (including voluntary work), preferably with international exposure
Data management: ability to collect solid data (first hand and using open sources), and to process and analyse it
Writing skills: ability to produce clear and concise reports, making and defending clear recommendations, both for internal and external purposes
Communication and negotiation skills: ability to engage with a large variety of stakeholders on sensitive issues
Ability to work independently, plan and organize, establish priorities and work to tight deadlines
Ability to perform in insecure environments
Familiarity with current protection issues in armed conflict, including IHL/IHRL, is an asset
Familiarity with one or more of the following thematic issues is an asset: detention, missing persons and their families, protection of civilians, internal displacement, migration, community-based protection, child protection, sexual and gender-based violence, data analysis, opportunities and challenges related to digital technology
Familiarity with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an advantage

To learn more about our delegate positions, please visit the page ICRC Delegate.

WHAT WE OFFER

By joining our organization, you will have an opportunity to practise your profession in stimulating, complex and sometimes challenging environments, where your work can really make a difference.

You will work with colleagues from various fields of expertise in a cross-cutting manner to help victims of conflict and other situations of violence. You will be dealing with humanitarian situations that require experience, resourcefulness and innovation in order to achieve the best possible impact, often with limited resources.

You will work for the oldest major international humanitarian organization in the world, adding to your sense of achievement in alleviating the suffering of people and communities and giving you the chance to promote humanitarian values in these turbulent times.

You will benefit from a competitive employment package, including different possibilities for career and personal development. You will take part in an onboarding course and follow continuous training, in order to build your career within the ICRC and beyond.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

THE PROFILES SOUGHT IN THE CENTRAL TRACING AGENCY AND PROTECTION

Please note that all positions are not continuously open.

DETENTION DELEGATE

Detention delegates are part of a team that assesses and responds to the needs of detainees in an integrated manner. They pay attention to the detainees’ living conditions, possibilities for family contact, judicial guarantees, treatment, access to services, etc. The ICRC’s approach is founded on having direct and one-to-one access to detainees and fostering a constructive and confidential dialogue with the authorities in charge.

INTERPRETER

Interpreters are part of the protection team and are a vital communication link for ICRC delegates, enabling them to carry out their work. As such, interpreters are involved in visiting detainees with a view to improving their lives and dignity, restoring family links, organizing emergency relief aid and talking to parties to the conflict about their obligations under IHL.

PRISON SYSTEMS ADVISOR

Prison systems advisers work to enhance the capacity of ICRC delegations to support national authorities in developing and implementing sustainable solutions to humanitarian problems encountered in prisons. They are currently based in Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, and at headquarters in Geneva. Each adviser covers several countries in the region.

PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS DELEGATE

Protection of civilians’ delegates engage with a large range of stakeholders in order to understand the root causes of IHL/IHRL violations, their humanitarian consequences and people’s coping mechanisms. They document these violations through first-hand testimonies and other sources of information.

RESTORING FAMILY LINKS AND MISSING DELEGATE

Restoring family links/missing delegates trace people who have been separated from their families by conflict, other situations of violence, natural disaster or migration. In armed conflict, they also engage with the relevant authorities to help uncover the fate of missing persons.

FORENSICS SPECIALISTS

Forensic specialists at the ICRC come from a diverse range of forensic disciplines (e.g. genetics, pathology, anthropology), and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement programmes aimed at developing domestic forensic capacity and engaging with a broad range of players, in order to address key humanitarian issues in situations affected by conflict, migration and disasters.

PROTECTION DATA MANAGER

The ICRC records millions of data entries on vulnerable people who are registered and then followed up worldwide. The data includes the identities of individuals, testimonies, descriptions of events, as well as all steps undertaken by the ICRC and the responses received from the authorities. Protection data managers are in charge of personal and sensitive data and other relevant information that support the ICRC’s activities for the benefit of vulnerable people.

DETENTION DELEGATE

Detention delegates are part of a team that assesses and responds to the needs of detainees in an integrated manner. They pay attention to the detainees’ living conditions, possibilities for family contact, judicial guarantees, treatment, access to services, etc. The ICRC’s approach is founded on having direct and one-to-one access to detainees and fostering a constructive and confidential dialogue with the authorities in charge.

Working for the ICRC: Detention Delegate – video

INTERPRETER

Interpreters are part of the protection team and are a vital communication link for ICRC delegates, enabling them to carry out their work. As such, interpreters are involved in visiting detainees with a view to improving their lives and dignity, restoring family links, organizing emergency relief aid and talking to parties to the conflict about their obligations under IHL.

Working for the ICRC: Interpreter – video

To learn more about Interpreter role, please visit the page Languages.

PRISON SYSTEMS ADVISOR

Prison systems advisers work to enhance the capacity of ICRC delegations to support national authorities in developing and implementing sustainable solutions to humanitarian problems encountered in prisons. They are currently based in Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, and at headquarters in Geneva. Each adviser covers several countries in the region.

PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS DELEGATE

Protection of civilians’ delegates engage with a large range of stakeholders in order to understand the root causes of IHL/IHRL violations, their humanitarian consequences and people’s coping mechanisms. They document these violations through first-hand testimonies and other sources of information. Where possible, they raise issues of concern with the relevant authorities, while at the same time seeking to reduce the vulnerability of the people affected.

Thematic issues covered: migration, internal displacement, child protection, community-based protection, sexual and gender-based violence.

RESTORING FAMILY LINKS AND MISSING DELEGATE

Restoring family links/missing delegates trace people who have been separated from their families by conflict, other situations of violence, natural disaster or migration. In armed conflict, they also engage with the relevant authorities to help uncover the fate of missing persons and remind them of their obligations under IHL to preserve family unity and to clarify the fate of people who are unaccounted for.

FORENSICS SPECIALISTS

Forensic specialists at the ICRC come from a diverse range of forensic disciplines (e.g. genetics, pathology, anthropology), and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement programmes aimed at developing domestic forensic capacity and engaging with a broad range of players, in order to address key humanitarian issues in situations affected by conflict, migration and disasters.

Working for the ICRC: Forenscis – video

To learn more about our Forenisc position, please visit the page Forensics.

PROTECTION DATA MANAGER

The ICRC records millions of data entries on vulnerable people who are registered and then followed up worldwide. The data includes the identities of individuals, testimonies, descriptions of events, as well as all steps undertaken by the ICRC and the responses received from the authorities.

Protection data managers are in charge of personal and sensitive data and other relevant information that support the ICRC’s activities for the benefit of vulnerable people.

Career Opportunities

Jobs in Central Tracing Agency and Protection