Protection and Emerging Technologies Officer
Position description
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Red Cross and Crescent Movement in situations of armed conflict. It also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law (IHL) and universal humanitarian principles. Based on the rules enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC carries out activities that aim at ensuring that people caught in war are treated humanely, their rights are respected, and their dignity is preserved. These activities, which are the focus of the ICRC Protection work, include dialogue with armed actors on the respect of the civilian population during hostilities, visits to detainees, and its role in tracing missing persons.
PURPOSE
Based in Washington, D.C. and reporting to the Protection Coordinator, the Protection and Emerging Technologies Officer will provide subject matter expertise and organizational support on specific thematic issues for the Protection team. They will serve as the Protection team’s focal point on the impact on civilians of new and emerging technologies used in conflict. They will also serve as a surge capacity for the entire Protection team to respond to other emerging or increasing needs.
RELATIONSHIPS
The Protection and Emerging Technologies Officer is a member of the Protection team, reporting directly to the Protection Coordinator.
- Internally, they will interact regularly with other departments and working groups within the Washington Regional Delegation (WAS), as well as with Protection colleagues in the region, in the field, and at our Geneva Headquarters.
- Externally, the Protection and Emerging Technologies Officer will interact with a network of contacts at local and national level such as authorities, civilians, NGOs and tech companies.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monitor developments and conduct research and documentation, including through open-source tools and methods, on the impact of the use of new and emerging technology in conflict on the protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation and draft summaries and report as needed
- Help identify priorities and objectives for the Protection team on new technology in the U.S. context based on research findings and contribute to developing corresponding implementation strategies and plans of action
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide protection perspectives on the use of new technology in conflict
- Help build the capacity of Protection team on new technology issues
- Contribute to the definition, implementation, and monitoring of the wider protection strategy in WAS under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator
- Help organize and facilitate interdisciplinary meetings on thematic issues, including by preparing presentation materials and drafting meeting summaries
- Draft speaking points, research summaries, analyze and report as needed
- For specific crises situations, monitor developments through open-source information and drafts, review and provide feedback on written report
- Contribute to internal quarterly monitoring of progress and annual planning
GENERAL DUTIES
- Understand and adhere to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Understand and adhere to the ICRC Code of Conduct.
- Understand the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Respect and observe staff regulations and security rules at all times.
- Represent the ICRC in a professional manner at all times.
- Develop and maintain a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers.
- Perform all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC.
- May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary.
Qualifications
- 6 years of overall professional experience with at least 3-4 years of experience in humanitarian, human rights or a similar field or organization.
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. international relations, political science, conflict studies, humanitarian action)
- Prior experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or on international assignments is a plus.
- A genuine interest in the intersection of technology, conflict, and protection of civilians.
- Demonstrated capacity to analyze protection-related trends and policies and identify consequences for civilians, particularly on the use of new technologies in conflict.
- Excellent research and analytical abilities, including use of open-source research methods and tools.
- Proven experience and leadership of managing protection activities/projects.
- Pro-active team player with strong organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent professional oral and written English. Knowledge of Arabic, Russian, Spanish or French is a plus.
- Willingness to travel up to 15% of the time.
What We Offer:
- A full-time resident position based in D.C.
- Competitive salary
- Robust health and dental insurance plan
- 20 paid vacation days (annually)
- 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
- 7 paid sick/personal days (annually)
- 11.5% Employer contribution for our 403b retirement plan
- Exciting professional development program
- A hybrid working model with flexible scheduling and partial teleworking options
Compensation: The salary range for this role is between USD 105,000 – USD 120,000.
- Application Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.
- Start date: ASAP
- We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Application instructions
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