Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 08 Nov 2017
Purpose of the post
The main role of the Unit of the Thematic Legal Advisers, which is part of the Legal Division, is to contribute to the role of the ICRC as promoter and guardian of IHL. It serves the ICRC’s objectives in terms of reaffirmation, clarification and development of IHL. It represents the ICRC’s positions in bilateral discussion with government and military representative and in multilateral fora and academic setting. It also supports the ICRC’s operational, legal and communication work by providing legal advice on IHL and other relevant bodies of law applicable in armed conflict and other situations of violence.
The Legal Division is seeking a scientific adviser for this unit to support its work on understanding the potential human cost of cyber operations during armed conflicts and the challenges they raise for IHL. The Scientific Adviser on Cyber provides scientific and technical expertise on cyber weapons and other cyber capabilities and their effects, and supports the achievement of ICRC’s legal and policy objectives in following the development of new technologies of warfare.
Main responsibilities and tasks
As the scientific adviser on cyber, the adviser’s main responsibilities and tasks will be:
- To carry out in-depth research and draft a technical position paper on the potential human cost of cyber operations during armed conflicts and in times of peace;
- To survey and map the different types of cyber weapons, means and methods of warfare from a technical perspective, and provide technical advice in support of an analysis under IHL and other relevant bodies of law;
- To follow relevant proposals and processes in the field of cyber warfare and cyber security, and support the ICRC’s positioning in this regard;
- To take part in conferences, training seminars and meetings of experts and represent the ICRC views and positions in a variety of external fora;
- To maintain and develop links between the ICRC and relevant experts and organisations.
- To contribute to the institutional reflection on the strategies to be followed in relation to the application of IHL to cyber operations during armed conflict, including to cyber weapons, and the potential need for reaffirming, clarifying or further developing the law;
Education and experience required
- University or equivalent training in computer science, information networks or similar field;
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience.
- Expertise in cyber weapons, means and methods of warfare, their effects, and cyber security;
- Expertise in artificial intelligence would be an asset;
- Knowledge of international humanitarian law or arms control regime would be an asset;
- Experience in organizing and managing expert meetings, seminars and colloquiums would be an asset;
Desired skills
- Well-developed research and writing skills with an ability to analyse, summarize and popularize technical aspects of cyber-security issues;
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment and consider concepts from other fields, in particular legal concepts;
- Excellent ability to communicate, especially to present complex technical issues clearly and concisely;
- Ability to represent the ICRC, especially in exchanging in an autonomous and efficient manner with specialized academics, technicians, military, diplomats and industry representatives;
- Perfect command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of French, at least passive, would be an asset;
- Openness to dialogue and good interpersonal skills;
- Proven ability to work in a team.
Additional information
Type of contract: Maximum-term contract
Length of assignment: 6 months, may be extended to 9 months
Working rate: 70-100%
Starting date: ASAP
Application deadline: Wednesday, 8th November 2017
How to apply:
To apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/2gLlPWA