Overall Responsibility

The Legal Adviser 2 advises delegation(s) on international humanitarian law (IHL) and national and/or international legal matters and conducts related legal work. The incumbent initiates, formulates and implements strategies to address identified issues and delegation objectives in the legal domain. They supervise and guide research on and analysis of specific legal matters and broader sectors of the national legal system.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Drafts legal notes/ analyses and contributes with legal aspects to working papers, summary reports, “ non-papers” etc related to delegation activities and objectives;
• Analyses the situation, advises and provides guidance on the applicable National and International legal frameworks and norms in relation to Delegation activities, objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal and other related issues;
• Performs independent research on and analysis of specific legal issues as well as broader sectors of the National legal system;
• Coordinates and organises the IHL course for Humanitarian professionals and other IHL training for various audiences;
• Advises on socio-political and legal aspects of delegation’s strategy and operations and is responsible for the IHL section in the annual planning process;
• Work in close coordination with National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies Legal Officers on all matters of national implementation, treaties and operations;
• Coordinates and supervises external consultancies on legal issues;
• Supports protection objectives and activities ( including in the fields of detention, missing persons, IDPs, etc);
• Advise the delegation on issues of national implementation of IHL and liaise with relevant Kenyan authorities on issues of domestication of international humanitarian law treaties;
• Supports the implementation of strategies, programs and action plans related to IHL treaty participation, the development of relevant domestic legal and policy frameworks and mechanisms for their implementations;
• Monitors developments in the National implementation of IHL and relevant International Human Rights Law norms;
• Maintains relations with academic circles, supports the teaching of IHL and develops and maintains relations with influential players and a network of partners and contacts linked to legal questions and policy as well as IHL promotion and implementation;
• In close collaboration with the Regional Legal Adviser, actively promote the Co-operation between ICRC and relevant universities in dissemination of IHL;
• Organise and conduct the National Moot and Essay competitions and contribute to the preparation and implementation of the All Africa IHL Competition;
• Ensure timely reports for the projects undertaken, and contribute to all other institutional reports on matters relating to IHL.

Minimum Requirements and competencies

• Master’s degree in law or specialization in a discipline of public international law, including IHL or IHRL;
• Admitted to the Bar/ Magistrate or PHD an advantage;
• Minimum 5 years working experience in a similar function;
• Experience in government, Judicial sector or an international organization or NGO;
• Teaching/ Dissemination experience, including at academic level;
• Connections to government and academic circles, including own network of interlocutors;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Good knowledge of Kiswahili (Knowledge of French is an asset);
• Precise, rigorous with high sense of confidentiality and integrity;
• Able to work efficiently under pressure with minimum supervision;
• Independent with sense of responsibility and initiative;
• Strong negotiation and communication skills;
• High organizational and analytical skills.