ICRC Recruits : Medical/Life Sciences Advisor

The ICRC, established in 1863, works worldwide to provide humanitarian help for people affected by conflict and armed violence and to promote the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Medical/Life Sciences Advisor 07-01-2011 Job Opportunity Ref. hq-med-ls-adv Location: Headquarters Purpose of the post The Arms Unit of the ICRC's Legal Division serves ICRC objectives in the legal, operational and communications fields by the provision of expertise and analysis, from a humanitarian perspective, on arms and weapons-related technology employed in armed conflict and other situations of violence. The unit represents ICRC policy and positions on arms and international humanitarian law in multilateral fora. It also supports ICRC operational, legal and communications work by providing technical, legal, medical/health and policy analysis on weapons used in armed conflicts and other situations of violence and on relevant scientific advances. This post provides heath, epidemiological and/or life-science perspectives in the development of the ICRC's health-oriented approach to weapons and international humanitarian law. The incumbent will have particular responsibility for following developments in the life sciences and the international legal regimes prohibiting chemical and biological weapons. The incumbent will also contribute to the overall development of the Arms Unit's work for which a strong policy and/or legal orientation is an advantage. The post reports to the Head of the Arms Unit in the Legal Division of the ICRC Your task * Contribute health analysis on the range of arms issues being addressed by the Arms Unit. * Monitor scientific and technical developments that may impact on existing international regimes prohibiting chemical and biological weapons and monitor the implementation processes for relevant Conventions. * Manage and develop a process of research and international dialogue on the implications for international law of current interest in incapacitating chemical agents. * Maintain and develop a network of expert contacts in the health and life science fields. * Provide additional capacity for research, writing, representation and outreach to internal and external audiences on specific priority issues. * In the field of new and unconventional weapons: * Analyse health, technical and legal aspects of new and emerging weapons technologies, including in particular "non-lethal" weapons. * Provide guidance to the Arms Unit and to the ICRC in general in response to the use or alleged use of new or unconventional weapons. * Maintain and develop links between the ICRC and relevant scientific and military experts and organisations. * Represent ICRC policy and concerns in a variety of external fora addressing new and novel weapons. * Provide, according to capacities, health, scientific and other support to ICRC units and delegations in response to the use of specific weapons in armed conflicts and other situations of violence Selection requirements * An advanced degree in the health or life science fields * Basic knowledge of the general rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) * Sound knowledge of international legal regimes covering chemical and biological weapons and of IHL norms in the field of arms is an asset * Solid academic background and professional experience in two of the following fields: medicine, epidemiology, life sciences, law or international relations. * Professional experience working in multilateral processes, preferably in the arms field, is an advantage * Field experience with the ICRC or another humanitarian organisation and military or police experience is an asset Your profile * Excellent analytical skills and good political judgement * Excellent oral and written English, the capacity to work in French. Additional languages are an advantage * Good communication skills * Openness to dialogue and good interpersonal skills * Strong motivation and aptitude for work within a highly integrated team * Knowledge of wound ballistics is an advantage Minimum length of assignment: 2 years Starting date: 1st March 2011 Deadline for applications: 27th January 2011 APPLY HERE       Search for high paid jobs here