What we do in 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.

What We Do in ADO: Advancing Humanitarian Diplomacy and IHL Integration with the African Union

The ADO, as the ICRC’s Delegation to the African Union, is a diplomatic Delegation without an operational context. It rather deals with humanitarian diplomacy, like Brussels and New York Delegations. The African Union (AU) is a continental body launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999) and consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. The AU is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.” 

The ICRC was granted observer status to the OAU in 1992. This led to the creation of a dedicated ICRC delegation to the African Union. As engagement with the Peace Support Operations (PSO) of the AU is key to ICRC objectives relative to the AU, an ADO FAS delegate position was created 9 years ago. Thanks to this position, FAS ADO has been instrumental in integrating IHL into the military doctrine of the PSO, including into its compliance framework. Pre-deployment trainings and capacity-building on IHL for AU and Regional Economic Community (REC) military commanders and PSOs troops have also become a regular feature of the FAS ADO work (including San Remo and SWIRMO training for senior AU PSO personnel). Finally, FAS ADO has become fully integrated into the Military Attaché Association (MAA) in Addis Ababa and the Attachés de Défense africaines (ADAF) association – two highly influential military defense attaché networks which can be leveraged and mobilized to support the humanitarian diplomacy objectives of ICRC ADO (especially for the promotion and implementation of IHL). 

Purpose

The Armed Forces and Security (FAS) resident delegate contributes to developing and implementing of the delegation’s multilateral and bilateral strategies and operational dialogue with the African Union and its relevant organs charged with Peace Support Operations (PSO) as well as with Forces Contributing Countries, with respect to acceptance of the ICRC’s mandate and operations, the promotion, integration and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) and other legal standards, and protection objectives.

Relationships

Internally: Engages primarily with the ADO delegation colleagues involved in dialogue with the African Union (AU) or the Technical Contributing Countries (TCCs). S/he is reporting directly to the Deputy Head of Delegation and liaises with the FAS coordinator of the ICRC Addis Ababa Delegation (ADD) for functional and technical support.

Externally: Contributes to representing the ICRC in its dialogue and activities with AU pertinent structures, with a focus on integrating IHL into the operational practices of the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and TCCs.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities 1

• Within the global and political dimension of his/her activities, provides real-time technical operational analysis of conflict dynamics or other situations of violence.
• Based on an analysis of the humanitarian situation in relevant contexts, including those where the AU has deployed its peace support operations, designs, implements and monitors the effectiveness of an ADO FAS program aimed at tackling/preventing the violation of IHL.
• Coordinates and works as necessary when related to the AU with members of the FAS team in Addis-Ababa Delegation in analyzing, planning and responding to arms carriers' means and methods of warfare.
• Handles all operational and thematic issues (including protection of civilians, sexual violence, and conduct of hostilities) in the dialogue with the AU and TCCs on AU mandated/authorized Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

Accountabilities & Responsibilities 2

• Engages with the AU Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) and advises on the humanitarian implications of the use of force by arms carriers, providing essential technical advice for all relevant representations regarding protection of the civilian population.
• Participates together with the ADO Legal Advisor seconded to the AU in the support to the AU of the design and efforts to integrate IHL into doctrine and training and relevant aspects of their PSOs.
• Provides relevant training in IHL and on the ICRC's mandate and activities to the staff of PSOD and personnel of the AU PSOs.
• Provides support to AU organized PSO exercises.
• Provides internal training to strengthen understanding of arms carriers.
• Identifies, builds and/or maintains a network of contacts with the Military attachés of the AU member states; particularly TCCs as well as with those of relevant partner countries of the AU. Maintains high-quality and substantive engagement with military command structures and military and security institutes as well as think-tanks working on security concerns of the continent.

Delegation Specific Tasks

• Contributes to the annual planning and monitoring exercises (PfR, MfR) as well as any quarterly reviews and FAS institutional reporting of the ADO Delegation on issues related to the armed and security forces and AU Peace Support Operations.
• Monitors the budget allocated to activities under his/her responsibility.
• Proactively identifies synergies with the ADD/FAS unit.
• Contributes to the work of the ADD/FAS unit as needed, in areas of converging ADD/ADO interest.
• Promotes a conducive and participative working environment within the ADO/ADD delegations.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Certifications / Education required
• Graduation from a military academy as a commissioned officer; and/or substantial service in the armed forces, with attainment of at least the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (or equivalent).
• Additional credentials such as completion of a senior staff college, holding a significant command or staff appointment, or operational deployments/combat experience are highly valued.
• Sound knowledge of international humanitarian law.
• Knowledge of the African Peace and Security environment is an added value
• Fluent command of English. French is an asset.
• Computer proficiency
• Personal qualities: Leadership and management, excellent networker, sense of initiative; patience; good team-player; excellent presentation skills.

Professional experience required

• At least 10 years' professional experience as a senior military officer.
• Must have experience of extensive interaction with military and security forces, particularly in the context of multinational peacekeeping operations.
• Experience as training instructor and/or command functions are an added advantage.
• Experience in multinational peacekeeping operations is an asset
• A sound understanding of Political and Military dynamics and issues of concern in Africa
• Having an understanding of the ICRC mandate, modalities and programming.
• Experience in the humanitarian sector and/or having previously engaged with the ICRC is an asset

Additional information

• Type of role: National / Resident (Opened to Ethiopian Nationals ONLY)
• Location: Addis Ababa (Addis Ua (ADO))  
• Type of position: FAS Delegate
• Application deadline: 21/12/2025

Language

• English
• Amharic