Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.
The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
The Office of the General Counsel comprises the Legal Department and Data Protection Office in Geneva, as well as the other legal advisors of the Global Legal Team, strategically posted in the regional offices, the delegations and the Legal Unit in Budapest. The Office of the General Counsel is led by the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and Data Protection Office, who reports to the Secretary General.
The Office of the General Counsel supports the Federation globally in the following areas:
- Management of legal risks;
- Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory framework; and
- Support NSs with their compliance with legal risks and applicable legal frameworks.
The position of Senior Legal Advisor sits with the Data Protection Office in Geneva.
The position requires travel from time to time.
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Managing Legal Counsel and Head of the Data Protection Office, The Senior Legal Advisor is responsible for:
- Providing legal advice and services to IFRC globally on data protection and privacy matters; and
- Provide guidance to NSs on data protection and privacy matters.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Legal Advisor for data protection is responsible for:
1. Advise on, and Management of, Compliance and Legal Risk
- Providing authoritative legal advice in regard to specific Federation Secretariat activities as well as policies and practices required to prevent and manage legal risk in relation to data protection, ensuring that programmes and management have the necessary information and tools allowing assessment, prevention and management of legal risks;
- Advising on all relevant compliance obligations of the organization – external and internal - and applicable legal framework in relation to data protection, including data protection impact assessments (DPIA);
- Advising on the structuring of the Federation’s activities, including complex grants or other relationships such as joint ventures, partnerships coordination structures, and/or delegated functions in relation to data protection, in particular for the Health Department and cash programme;
2. Training and the development of tools
- Leading and assisting, as required, in the development and implementation of organization-wide systems, procedures, policies and tools in relation to data protection, which have an impact on the legal obligations of the organization or on its partnerships, including model agreements and other bilateral agreements;
- Assisting IFRC in the design of digital technologies, including those for use by NSs;
- Conduct internal and external data protection trainings;
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
3. Support to Membership
- Liaising with National Societies to understand their data protection-related needs and assisting in the development of pertinent legal services for the Federation's membership in the areas of data protection and development of common templates and guidance for agreements within the Movement and with external partners;
- Managing projects related to providing legal advice and support to National Societies with respect to data protection;
- Help develop a NS DPO network enabling data protection practitioners to share knowledge and seek advice in an active community. This may include organizing virtual or in-person meetings or other relevant events;
4. Other tasks
- Monitoring legal information and developments that are or may be applicable to the Federation and National Societies with respect to data protection; and
Performing any other job-related tasks as assigned by the Managing Legal Counsel and Head of the Data Protection Office.
Education
Required
- University degree in law (LL.B., J.D. or equivalent)
- Admission to the practice of law
Preferred
- Certification in Data Protection
Experience
Required
- At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in a legal environment (law firm, in-house legal department, government, non-governmental organization or international organization)
- Demonstrated experience in contracting and data protection and privacy matters, including conducting DPIAs, drafting privacy notices, review and negotiation of agreements and other legal documents
- Experience applying data protection principles to the development and assessment of digital tools and technologies, such as artificial intelligence
- Experience working in, or exposure to, multi-cultural and international environments
Preferred
- Experience within an international organization or in the non-profit/humanitarian sector
- Exposure to international law, privileges and immunities, and regulatory/compliance matters
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Knowledge and Skills
Required
- Strong legal research, analytical, drafting and problem-solving skills
- Negotiation skills and solution-oriented mindset
- Service-oriented approach and strong interpersonal skills
- Sound organizational skills and attention to details
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities under tight deadlines and with a high workload
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, and with external stakeholders
- High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information
- Good judgment, tact and diplomacy
- Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
Preferred
- Familiarity with legal issues commonly arising in international organizations
- Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants).
Languages
Required
- Fluent spoken and written English
Preferred
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
Competencies, Values and Comments
Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
