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 Division of Archives, Library and Outreach valorizes ICRC heritage, knowledge and thought leadership through archives, library, the International Review of the Red Cross and law and policy outreach.

The archives and library preserve and valorize institutional information for long-term use and access, contributing to the ICRC’s business continuity, accountability, and transparency. They form the memory of the organization and of individuals and their families affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence and contribute to the development of knowledge on ICRC’s past actions and on the development of international humanitarian law (IHL).

Through its different components, the division valorizes ICRC’s past actions and thinking to inform current and future decision-making and promotes the ICRC’s present thinking, legal and policy positions internally and externally. Offering an academic publishing platform for multidisciplinary analysis, it promotes critical and forward-looking research on humanitarian law, policy and action in armed conflict and other situations of collective armed violence.

Purpose of the Position

The historian ensures the continued exploration of ICRC’s history for internal and external audiences. The position carries out historical research based on both public and classified archival records. Internally, the historian plays a significant role in enhancing institutional knowledge and understanding of ICRC’s past actions and activities. The historian enables the ICRC of today to be informed by its past and facilitates informed decision-making by contextualizing the ICRC’s present action in a historic, long-term perspective. 

Externally, the historian promotes and represents the ICRC’s history to various audiences, contributes to academic debate and research on the history of humanitarian action with both academic and public research papers.

The historian reports to the Head of Library and Public Archives and works in close collaboration with the Unit, the Archives, Library and Outreach Division and other internal stakeholders, such as ICRC operations, delegations and governing bodies.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Historic research and analysis:

• • Carries out historical research based on both public and classified archival records
  • Translates complex research into accessible and relevant analysis for internal stakeholders
  • Writes summary notes or comprehensive reports based on carefully referenced sources and adapts their format to requesters’ needs
  • Proactively identifies prospective research topics of institutional interest based on emerging legal and operational topics or situations

Valorization and public engagement:

• • Contributes to academic debate and research on the history of humanitarian action and on the ICRC in particular
  • Represents the ICRC’s history in academic and public events
  • Publishes in academic journals and on the ICRC public communication platforms (e.g. blogs)
  • Actively contributes to the division’s valorization committee

Education and Experience Required

• Postgraduate degree in history is required
• 10 years of professional experience in all with 5 years of experience in historical research
• PhD in history an asset
• Proven track record of academic research and publishing and participation to academic conferences
• Previous experience at the ICRC or within the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement is an asset
• Experience in digital humanities as an asset
• Strong knowledge of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including its history, as well as a solid understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement 
• Strong knowledge of the historiography on the ICRC
• Knowledge about IHL and current humanitarian action is an asset

Desired Profile and Skills

• Verbal and written fluency in French and English is mandatory
• Analytical and methodical thinker with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Well-organized, able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Autonomous yet collaborative team player
• Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Creative, solution- and service-oriented mindset
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all organizational levels
• Confident public speaker, able to engage audiences through storytelling

Additional Information

• Nature of Position: Long Term Assignment
• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: 1st June 2026
• Location: Geneva
• Job level: C1
• Hiring Manager: Cedric Cotter
• Recruiter: Tejal Pradhan
• Application deadline: 13th April 2026

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

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.