What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide 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.

Context

Produced by the ICRC and published by Cambridge University Press, the International Review of the Red Cross is a specialized peer-reviewed journal dedicated to international humanitarian law, humanitarian policy and humanitarian action. It is published three times per year and its principal audience includes decision and policy-makers in governments, international governmental and non-governmental organisations, universities, the media, armed forces, and all those interested in humanitarian issues at large.

The Review staff is a small team of three people within the Department of International Law and Policy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): The Editor-in-Chief, the Managing Editor, and an Associate. In addition, there are occasionally short-term academic trainees joining the team throughout the year for periods of 2-3 months each in exchange for course credit.

The Managing Editor will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief in all activities related to the production and promotion of the Review. This includes involvement in the identification of future themes for issues of the Review, assessment, editing and research related to submitted articles, overall content management, and outreach for events organized at the occasion of an edition’s publication. The staff of the Review is in regular interaction with the ICRC’s Legal Division, as well as other divisions and departments, in particular the ICRC’s Protection Division, Operations Department, the Law & Policy Outreach Unit as well as Cambridge University Press.

Main duties & responsibilities

• Assist the Editor-in-Chief of the International Review of the Red Cross across all activities related to the production and promotion of the Review;

• Evaluate and edit article submissions (checking the reasoning, arguments, structure and sources), including of submissions dealing with topics of a legal nature;

• Conduct internal and external consultations to frame each theme most efficiently in a way that supports the ICRC’s mission;

• Identify potential authors and peer reviewers;

• Prepare and co-conduct of interviews of key experts in the field of humanitarian law, policy and action for the Review;

• Organize events to promote the Review, either from Geneva or in support of an ICRC Delegation;

• Manage the spontaneous submissions sent to the Review;

• Engage with authors, peer reviewers and publishers, in a diplomatic and politically astute manner, as an ambassador for the journal and the ICRC;

• Substitute for the Editor-in-Chief when the latter is unavailable.

Education & experience required

• University degree (Master of Arts or Master of Laws) in international law or international relations;
• Demonstrated credentials in, and knowledge of international humanitarian law;
• A demonstrated focus on all matters related to the study of armed conflicts and other situations of violence;
• For candidates to be eligible they must have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience after graduation;
• A demonstrated track-record of personal academic publications in the fields covered by the Review;
• Previous editorial work experience (shortlisted candidates may be tested on their editorial and writing skills);
• Excellent command of English and proficiency in French;
• Excellent communication skills, including strong writing abilities and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to handle a multitude of topics and texts simultaneously, throughout various stages of production.

The successful candidate will also meet the following criteria

• A demonstrated interest in humanitarian work, IHL, international law, human rights and topics of humanitarian policy;
• Field experience with a humanitarian or military organization an asset;
• Other languages an asset (particularly Arabic and Spanish);
• A solid understanding of the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
• Initiative and capacity to work independently under minimal supervision;
• Excellent ability to work in a team.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Open-ended contract
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: 1st of September 2021
• Application deadline: Wednesday, the 24th of March 2021

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

How to apply:

Apply through our career site here: https://bit.ly/3qLZMOm