Trainee/Associate (800789)

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

The ICRC Brussels Delegation is recruiting a Policy Associate to support the delegation in its humanitarian diplomacy engagement towards NATO.  The delegation will offer the selected candidate the opportunity to learn within a dynamic environment and skilled team, as well as to be exposed to various areas of the ICRC’s humanitarian diplomacy work, including with external interlocutors.

Main assignments

• Monitors and contributes to analysis of NATO-related political dynamics;
• Monitors relevant NATO developments in areas of interest to the ICRC (human security, protection of civilians, International Humanitarian Law, preparedness, contexts affected by armed conflict, etc.) and reports on key developments internally, including through contributions to the bi-monthly “NATO-EU Highlights”;
• Supports the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, and, as needed, the NATO team by conducting ad hoc research and analysis on specific NATO policy and/or military developments relevant to the ICRC;
• Contributes to the preparation of emails and speaking points for external meetings;
• Attends meetings, conferences or events and reports internally;
• Contributes to the organisation and coordination of events;
• Contributes to maintaining working-level network and keeps the  centralised contact list of interlocutors up to date;
• Contributes to updating and maintaining standardised tools, such as the Delegation Policy Filing System.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Annual salary around EUR 30K gross
• Length of assignment: 6 months with possibility of extension for up to 12 months in total

Additional information

• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: Jan 2027
• Location: Brussels
• Application deadline: 24/11/2026

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

Certifications / Education required

• Master’s degree in international relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Sciences, European Studies, or another relevant field;

Professional experience required

• Knowledge of the functioning of NATO institutions is an asset;
• Previous experience in conducting research, analysis and reports is an asset;
• Previous experience in a humanitarian organisation is an asset.
• Proficiency in English (French is a plus), oral and written.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; confirmed capacity to draft clear and structured notes in English is a must.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Good Computer/technological skills;
• Well-organised, with a capacity to prioritise tasks and work under pressure, and the ability to work alone and as member of a team;
• An interest in International Relations and Humanitarian Affairs;
• Authorisation to work in Belgium.