Head of Policy & Research Unit

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

About the Policy and Research Unit

The Policy and Research Unit informs ICRC policy and practice through rigorous research, development of policy positions grounded in operational experience, anticipation of emerging trends, and engagement with diverse stakeholders. It projects the ICRC’s voice as an engaged thought leader in the humanitarian sector.
The Unit:

• Provides methodological guidance on research, Doctrine, and policy development and engagement


• Guided by the Institutional Strategy 2024-2027, ensures that research and policy findings inform humanitarian practice and influence the policies and practices of States and non-State entities


• Ensures coherence of main reference texts, policies and guidelines with ICRC principles and Doctrine


• Oversees Doctrine as a core source of guidance


• Supports policy partnerships with academic and research institutions


• Contributes to internal and external debates through expert input and publications


• Acts as Secretariat to the Ethics Review Board for Research and the Policy Planning Mechanism

Position within the organization

• Reports to the Director of the Department of International Law, Movement & Partnerships and is a member of the Department’s management team.

Main duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Policy and Research Unit, including strategic, operational and administrative oversight


• Steer research, policy development and engagement, including management of Doctrine as a source of guidance


• Anticipate emerging humanitarian, legal and geopolitical trends. Being closely attuned to current and emerging changes in the humanitarian sector and provide senior leadership with forward-looking analysis


• Contribute through innovative thinking to shaping humanitarian policy strategies towards States and other actors of influence


• Building diverse networks, driving reflections and interacting with and learning from a diverse humanitarian perspective globally


• Ensure institutional coherence in external positioning, including coordination of the humanitarian affairs advisers’ network jointly with the Department of Operations


• Oversee publication and promotion of research and policy outputs, including pre-publication consultations


• Chair the Policy Planning Mechanism and co-chair the Ethics Review Board for Research


• Monitor and evaluate the Unit’s impact


• Represent the Unit in relevant steering and transversal platforms


• Develop and retain a high-performing team

Relationships

Internally:
Ensure alignment between policy work and Institutional Strategy priorities, promote uptake of policy and research outputs, avoid duplication, and support consistent institutional positioning.
Externally:
Engage at senior level with governments, UN agencies, civil society, academia and other stakeholders to understand sectoral developments and influence humanitarian policy and practice.

Scope & Impact

• Strengthens the ICRC’s institutional positioning as a global leader in humanitarian policy and research.


• Ensures coherence and quality across the organization’s policy and research outputs.


• Shapes and informs external humanitarian discourse through engagement, partnerships, and publications.


• Leads a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration and innovation

Profile, Experience and skills

• Extensive experience in formulating, steering and communicating policy and research (typically 15+ years)


• Proven engagement in high-level bilateral, multilateral and multi-stakeholder policy processes and in nurturing a diverse network of influential stakeholders


• Ability to integrate operational experience, legal analysis and research into robust policy outputs


• Strong track record in formulating, steering, negotiating and communicating policy and research


• Strong understanding of principled humanitarian action, international relations and global trends


• Sound knowledge of research ethics


• Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills


• Demonstrated leadership and management experience


• Experience in humanitarian organisations; Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement experience an asset


• Post-graduate degree (PhD an advantage)


• Excellent English; strong French strongly preferred

Position Details

• Location: Geneva


• Type of position: Required Rotation


• Length of Assignment: 6 years


• Activity rate: 100%


• Start date: June 2026


• Recruiter: Diara Niang


• Application deadline: Sunday, 8th of March 2026

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.