LEGAL ADVISOR

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

Legal advisor provides legal advice to the Somalia Delegation on international humanitarian law (IHL), international humanitarian right law (IHRL), and relevant national and international legal matters, with particular emphasis on the IHL legal framework and applicable national legislation.

Under the supervision of the Operational legal advisor, the position independently manages assigned legal files and contributes to the Delegations overall legal priorities.

This is a national/resident position based in Mogadishu, Somalia

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Initiates, formulates and implements strategies to address identified legal issues and advance delegation objectives, acting as focal point for the implementation of IHL in Somalia

• Provides independent legal advice and analysis to the delegation and relevant ICRC units on IHL, IHRL and national and international legal matters, including their implications for delegation activities, strategies and operations

• Monitors the socio-political and legal context, including legislation, jurisprudence, national practices and developments affecting the implementation of IHL and IHRL, and identifies implications and proposed actions for the delegation

• Conducts and guides research on specific legal matters and broader areas of the national legal system, and prepares legal notes, analyses and contributions to working papers, reports and other policy documents

• Develops and implements legal strategies and plans of action with relevant authorities and external stakeholders, including capacity-building initiatives with the government institutions and Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS)

• Represents the ICRC in relevant external fora and maintains a network of influential institutions and individuals to support IHL implementation and the ICRC’s objectives

• Plans, conducts and follows up legal dissemination, training and other activities targeting authorities, specialized audiences, academic institutions and other stakeholders

• Coordinates external legal consultancies and relevant legal projects, ensuring appropriate follow-up and quality of deliverables

• Contributes to annual planning and budget processes for the Legal Department and monitors implementation of assigned activities

• Coordinates with relevant departments on the implementation of legal activities, including workshops, meetings and training sessions

• In coordination with Communication department, maintains and updates the Delegation’s field production book for IHL/IHRL materials, ensuring that relevant legal dissemination and reference materials remain accurate and up to date

Certifications / Education required

• Bachelor’s degree in law

• Master’s degree or specialization in law (including public international law, IHL or IHRL) a strong asset

Professional experience required

• 5 years' working experience in a similar function or with similar responsibilities

• Teaching/dissemination experience, including at academic level is an advantage

• Experience in building and maintaining strong relations and an extended network of contacts with key interlocutors in the area of responsibility

• Sound knowledge of political, economic, social and cultural environment of Somalia

Desired profile and skills

• Sound knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

• Excellent knowledge of the socio-political environment of Somalia

• Excellent communication, reporting, analytical and presentation skills

• Fluent in English including legal drafting skills. Additional languages are an asset

• Computer proficiency especially in MS office suite

• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively in Somalia

Language

• English

• Somali

What we offer

• Challenging job opportunity within a dynamic work environment in an international humanitarian organization

• Training and Development opportunities

• Competitive salary with benefits, based on the ICRC Compensation and Benefits framework

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.

Additional information

This is a national/resident position based in Mogadishu
Closing date 17th November 2026