Are you an experienced humanitarian professional, diplomat, international relations expert, or policy specialist looking to make a meaningful global impact? The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has opened applications for the Humanitarian Affairs Adviser position based at its Delegation to the United Nations in New York City.
This full-time resident position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to humanitarian diplomacy at the highest international level by representing one of the world’s most respected humanitarian organizations at the United Nations. Successful candidates will work on global humanitarian policy, international diplomacy, conflict-related issues, and multilateral engagement while earning a competitive annual salary ranging from USD $130,650 to USD $140,010, alongside an excellent employee benefits package.
If you are passionate about international humanitarian law, diplomacy, conflict prevention, humanitarian policy, and global affairs, this role offers an exceptional platform to influence international decision-making while advancing humanitarian principles worldwide.
About the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations dedicated to protecting and assisting victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the ICRC works globally to promote respect for international humanitarian law (IHL), alleviate suffering, and protect human dignity.
The ICRC Delegation to the United Nations in New York holds Permanent Observer status at the United Nations, allowing it to engage directly with UN Member States, UN agencies, and other international stakeholders on humanitarian priorities.
The delegation serves as a critical center for humanitarian diplomacy by:
- Representing the ICRC within the United Nations system.
- Promoting humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
- Influencing international policy discussions.
- Supporting humanitarian operations worldwide.
- Strengthening relationships with governments, diplomats, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners.
Position Overview
Position Title: Humanitarian Affairs Adviser
Organization: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Department: Humanitarian Affairs & Policy
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Work Arrangement: Resident (On-site)
Start Date: August 10, 2026
About the Role
The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser plays a central role in helping the ICRC understand, monitor, and influence the evolving humanitarian environment within the United Nations.
The successful candidate will design and implement diplomatic strategies, represent the ICRC during multilateral engagements, monitor political developments, provide policy analysis, and build relationships with diplomats, UN officials, humanitarian organizations, and government representatives.
This position requires an individual with excellent political judgment, strong analytical abilities, outstanding communication skills, and significant experience navigating international diplomacy and humanitarian policy.
Key Responsibilities
The selected candidate will undertake a broad range of strategic responsibilities, including:
1. Lead Humanitarian Diplomacy Efforts
The adviser will:
- Develop and implement humanitarian diplomacy strategies.
- Advise ICRC leadership on humanitarian policy.
- Support the organization’s engagement with UN institutions.
- Strengthen the ICRC’s global humanitarian influence.
2. Serve as Regional and Thematic Focal Point
The adviser will act as the focal point for:
- The Americas region.
- Eurasia (excluding Türkiye).
Thematic areas include:
- Climate and security.
- Essential services.
- Hunger and conflict.
- Other humanitarian policy priorities.
3. Monitor United Nations Activities
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring UN Security Council deliberations.
- Tracking UN General Assembly debates.
- Following ECOSOC discussions.
- Analyzing political developments affecting humanitarian operations.
- Producing strategic reports and recommendations.
4. Build Diplomatic Relationships
The adviser will maintain close working relationships with:
- Permanent Missions to the United Nations.
- UN agencies.
- UN Secretariat officials.
- Governments.
- International organizations.
- Think tanks.
- Humanitarian NGOs.
- ICRC headquarters in Geneva.
- Regional and operational ICRC delegations.
5. Support Strategic Humanitarian Engagement
Responsibilities include:
- Advising management on emerging geopolitical developments.
- Coordinating diplomatic engagement across capitals, Geneva, and New York.
- Planning high-level UN engagements.
- Supporting ICRC leadership visits.
- Coordinating activities during UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
6. Shape Humanitarian Policy
The adviser will contribute to:
- Diplomatic negotiations.
- Humanitarian advocacy.
- Policy development.
- Humanitarian diplomacy planning.
- Organizational strategic priorities.
7. Team Leadership
The position may include:
- Supervising Humanitarian Affairs Associates.
- Providing coaching and mentoring.
- Supporting staff development.
- Offering technical guidance where appropriate.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should possess:
- A university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, or a closely related discipline.
- An advanced university degree is highly desirable.
Required Professional Experience
Candidates should demonstrate:
- At least 8 years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs, diplomacy, international relations, policy, or related fields.
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian diplomacy and international relations.
- Experience working in multilateral environments.
- Proven negotiation experience involving governments or UN institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to build diplomatic networks.
- Familiarity with ICRC operations and institutional priorities.
- Strong understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
- Experience working in humanitarian field operations is highly valued.
- Previous experience in Geneva, New York, Brussels, Addis Ababa, or similar diplomatic hubs is considered an advantage.
Required Skills
Ideal candidates should possess:
Professional Skills
- Excellent analytical abilities.
- Outstanding policy analysis skills.
- High-quality report writing.
- Strategic thinking.
- Strong planning and organizational skills.
- Excellent negotiation abilities.
- Political awareness.
- Relationship management.
- Networking skills.
- Ability to influence international discussions.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Excellent spoken and written English.
Highly desirable:
- Spanish fluency.
Additional advantages:
- French
- Arabic
- Russian
- Chinese
Personal Attributes
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Integrity.
- Professionalism.
- Flexibility.
- Collaboration.
- Confidentiality.
- Adaptability.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong commitment to humanitarian principles.
- Respect for neutrality and impartiality.
Salary and Benefits
The ICRC offers an attractive compensation package.
Salary
- USD $130,650 – USD $140,010 annually
Employee Benefits
Employees will receive:
- Comprehensive health insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- 20 paid vacation days each year.
- 11 paid public holidays.
- 3 floating holidays.
- 7 paid sick/personal days annually.
- Employer contribution of 11.5% to the 403(b) retirement plan.
- Opportunity to work within one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.
- Collaborative multicultural working environment.
- Meaningful work supporting humanitarian action worldwide.
Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the ICRC.
The organization does not indicate sponsorship for employment authorization; therefore, applicants should already possess the legal right to work in the United States.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Resume (maximum two pages).
- Cover letter (maximum one page) highlighting:
- Interest in the position.
- Relevant skills.
- Professional experience.
- Salary requirements.
- Responses to the questions included in the online application.
Application Deadline
Application Deadline: July 15, 2026
Applications may continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline, so early submission is strongly encouraged.
Learn more and Apply Here
Why You Should Apply
The ICRC Humanitarian Affairs Adviser position offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced humanitarian and diplomatic professionals to contribute directly to global humanitarian policy and diplomacy at the United Nations. Beyond a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, the role provides the chance to influence international humanitarian action, engage with senior policymakers, and help shape responses to some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.
Professionals seeking leadership roles in international organizations, humanitarian diplomacy, global governance, or international law will find this position an outstanding career opportunity.
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