What we do

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.

The African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA) was established by the African Union (AU) in 2023 charged with the responsibility to coordinate and provide humanitarian responses in coordination with affected Member States. The mandate of AfHA is to: a) provide assistance and ensure effective coordination of humanitarian action on the continent, while taking into account early warning, response, adaptation and building resilience; (b) build and strengthen the capabilities and capacities of AU Member States, Regional Bodies and Mechanisms in preventing, responding, managing effectively, alleviating and contributing to resolving the humanitarian crises on the continent. AfHA will be based in Kampala. The operationalization of AfHA presents a strategic opportunity for the RC/RC Movement to shape its trajectory in the best interest of the most vulnerable in Africa. Specifically for the ICRC, AfHA presents the right opportunities to engage in humanitarian matters in armed conflict and other situations of violence, while at the same time drawing on the agency’s mandate to promote respect for IHL, facilitate safe access, and ensure protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel in conflicts in Africa, but also enhance the recognition of the ICRC’s intermediary role. Secondment of the Health Affairs Adviser 2 (HAA) to the African Union will help ICRC to optimize these opportunities.

Purpose

The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser 2 (HAA) is seconded to the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) of the African Union to support and influence the set-up of an AU humanitarian architecture - namely by contributing to the operationalization of the AfHA through legal and technical support, in coordination with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The objective is to help AfHA become of real added value for Africans affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, guided by International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and fundamental humanitarian principles. The HAA also helps shape the ICRC’s engagement with HHS, AfHA, key member States (e.g., Uganda, AfHA board members), Regional Economic Communities (RECs, who also sit on the AfHA board), and the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (STC). The HAA will report to the Dpty Head of Delegation of the ICRC Delegation to the African Union (ADO)

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with the ADO HoD/DHoD, ADO HAAs, ADO FAS, as well as the ICRC delegation in Kampala (AfHA will be based in Uganda), the Regional Director for Movement Affairs in Nairobi, and the diplomatic hubs (DAK, ALG, PRE, NAI).
• Externally, can be tasked to independently interact with relevant AU officials (e.g., HHS), key member States, RECs. IFRC, and other humanitarian players. The HAA will be embedded in the Department of HHS at the African Union, with periodic stopovers at the ICRC Delegation in Addis (e.g., internal meetings).
• As a new agency, the HAA periodically conducts a foresight analysis to take stock of  what is working, identify gaps/ challenges, and recommend/ chart the next course of action.
• Monitor the evolution of humanitarian dynamics in the prism of armed conflict and draw a roadmap for engagement by the AfHA and its core constituencies. 
• Undertakes analysis and draws on the ICRC operational practices as well as those of other similar agencies ( ECHO, ASEAN, etc.) to guide AfHA’s policies, strategies, procedures, and actions on the ground when it comes to responding in conflict situations.
• Analyse the global humanitarian paradigm, specifically on how it affects the AfHA policies and practices when it comes to handling humanitarian crises that emanate from conflict/post-conflict needs. 
• Ensure that IHL and the Geneva Conventions remain central to the work and undertaking of the agency (blueprint)
• Provide/ facilitate capacity building in the areas of IHL  (legal) as well as technical ( humanitarian response in conflict situations) through IHL seminars, trainings, etc
• Support AfHA’s SoPs on humanitarian responses and coordination.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Listens to and understands the main views and policy objectives of HHS, AfHA secretariat and its main stakeholders (STC, RECs, member States, humanitarian actors) as well as the dynamics related to humanitarian affairs.
• Advises the delegations (ADO and KAM)  on the evolution of AfHA  and its impact on humanitarian action in Africa – particularly relating to armed conflicts.
• Supports and advises the delegations (ADO and KAM) in achieving diplomacy and policy objectives relating to AfHA and the wider humanitarian architecture of the AU.
• Builds and maintains a strong international network of stakeholders connected to AfHA (e.g., RECs, key member States) and to the RC/RC Movement (IFRC, key National RC/RC societies). Engages with them autonomously.
• Engages with the STC and the future AfHA regional centers as agreed with the ADO Head of Delegation/Deputy Head of Delegation.
• Keeps regular contact on humanitarian issues with humanitarian diplomacy focal points at OPAF as well as with the ICRC diplomatic hubs in Africa.
• Represents the ICRC in key fora relating to AfHA, in coordination with the Head of Delegation/Deputy Head of Delegation.

DELEGATION SPECIFIC TASKS: 

• Engages with ECHO to understand its relationship with the European Union – particularly to identify best practice/lessons learned that could be useful for AfHA’s relationships with the AU and member states
• Contributes to the development of AfHA policies, SOPs and guidelines by mobilizing ICRC technical assistance to integrate IHL as the legal framework and tool for ensuring protection and assistance for Africans affected by armed conflict.
• Organizes capacity building for AfHA and member State officials responsible for humanitarian affairs, focusing on IHL, fundamental humanitarian principles, humanitarian access, protection standards, and relevant humanitarian themes (e.g., sexual violence, IDPs, missing persons, remnants of war).
• Facilitates operational collaboration and coordination with AfHA’s Regional Centres, IFRC and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• Explores the possibility of operational and thematic partnerships that respect the obligation of the ICRC and its RC/RC partners to adhere at all times to the Fundamental RC/RC principles.

Certifications / Education required

• University degree in a relevant subject (e.g. international relations, social and/or political sciences).
• Master's degree or other specialization in a related subject/policy issue an asset.
• Fluent command of English and/or French, and, depending on the context, a locally spoken language.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional experience required

• Typically 6-9 years’ overall professional experience 
• At least 5 years’ experience in humanitarian action or political affairs, including at least 2 years with ICRC.
• Experience with AU a strong asset.
• Proven experience in cultivating networks and influencing others.
• Solid understanding of regional relations in Africa and their interplay with humanitarian affairs.
  Knowledge of multilateral organizations/fora/agencies and platforms.

Additional information

• Type of role: National / Resident (Opened to Ethiopian Nationals ONLY) 
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: Addis Ababa 
• Job level: B3
• Length of assignment: 1 year Fixed term contract with posssibility of extension  
• Application deadline: 06/3/2026

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 this page.