Senior Legal and Policy Specialist - Geneva (Switzerland)

Department: Operations, Policy Research and Legal Unit

Duty Station: Geneva

Contract Type: Full-time (100%)

Direct report: Head of Policy Research and Legal (PRL)

01Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups, De Facto Authorities (AGDAs) and Provisional Governments for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring humanitarian access.

02Role

Sitting within Geneva Call’s Policy, Research, and Legal Unit (PRL), the Senior Legal and Policy Specialist provides high-level policy, research and legal expertise to support the implementation of Geneva Call’s 2024-2027 strategic priorities. As a senior technical resource, the role delivers rigorous legal analysis, policy advice and diverse legal and policy outputs, including written analysis, advisory briefs, research reports, technical guidance, support organizational decision-making, programme development, engagement approaches, and external positioning.

03Work Relations

Reporting directly to the Head of Policy, Research and Legal (PRL), the Senior Legal and Policy Specialist line-manages the Legal and Policy Advisor and works closely with other relevant colleagues across other technical HQ units, regional desks, and field missions. The role provides senior technical expertise and guidance while maintaining a distinct focus on complex legal analysis, policy development, and strategic outputs.

The role also collaborates closely with the Project Management Coordinator to provide technical legal and policy expertise to relevant project and stakeholder engagement activities.

04Legal and Policy Analysis and Output Production

• Produce high-quality legal and policy outputs, briefing notes, policy papers, analytical reports, advisory memoranda, position papers, and technical guidance documents.
• Provide expert legal and policy input into the development and review of funding proposals, concept notes, donor facing materials, dissemination and training resources, and external interventions.
• Deliver legal and policy analysis to support Geneva Call’s strategic priorities, programme development, fundraising efforts, and external positioning.

05Thematic Expertise and Policy Development

• Provide specialized expertise on priority thematic areas, including anti-personnel mines and explosive weapons and emerging technologies of warfare, and lead the development of training materials in these areas
• Develop evidence-based legal and policy positions for Geneva Call’s thematic priorities.
• Produce analytical and policy outputs that strengthen Geneva Call’s engagement approaches and thematic positioning for thematic priorities.
• Maintain awareness of emerging legal, policy, and operational developments affecting Geneva Call’s thematic priorities.
• Contribute technical expertise to external policy discussions, consultations, and initiatives related to these thematic areas.

06Compliance Framework, Engagement Tools and Methodologies

• Provide legal and policy expertise for the development, review, and refinement of engagement tools, including Deeds of Commitment and Unilateral Declarations.
• Work closely with MEAL colleagues by providing legal and policy input to define compliance standards, and develop practical tools and methodologies for measuring and tracking AGDA engagement, commitment and compliance tracking
• Ensure legal and policy consistency across engagement tools, methodologies and compliance tracking outputs.
• Develop practical guidance and expert review to support the Deed of Commitment life cycle and inform engagement approaches.

07Research Support and Technical Representation

• Provide legal and policy expertise to field-led research initiatives and support the analysis of findings and development of recommendations.
• Contribute to the drafting of policy papers, analytical reports and research products for internal and external audiences.
• Support the translation of research findings into practical engagement recommendations and operational guidance.
• Represent Geneva Call in technical meetings, expert consultations, working groups, conferences, and multi-stakeholder forums
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant academic, legal, policy, and humanitarian stakeholders to support Geneva Call’s research and policy objectives.

08Education (Essential)

• Master’s degree in international law, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law, International Relations, or a related field.
• Advanced expertise in a relevant field, demonstrated through either a PhD or a significant record of publications, policy papers, analytical reports, or other professional contributions.

09Experience (Essential)

• At least 12 years of professional experience, including significant experience in senior legal and policy advisory roles within humanitarian, human rights, peacebuilding, or related sectors.
• 3+ years of experience with the operational and political dynamics in armed conflict settings.
• Experience related to emerging technologies of warfare, anti-personnel mines, explosive weapons.
• Experience managing a team of at least 2-3 people.

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience engaging with armed groups and de facto and/or provisional authorities.

10Job related Competencies (Essential)

• Advanced expertise in International Humanitarian Law, humanitarian policy, and legal frameworks relevant to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, with a special focus on the thematic priorities for the position.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and drafting skills, with the ability to produce high-quality outputs for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong ability to develop evidence-based legal and policy positions and translate research findings into practical recommendations and engagement approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to compliance frameworks, engagement tools, methodologies, and monitoring approaches in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, influencing, and representation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

11Organisational Competencies

• Understanding and respect for humanitarian principles and Geneva Call’s vision, mission, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary, multicultural, and matrix-management environments.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in complex and evolving operational environments.

12Language (Essential)

• Fully professional fluency in English and French (written and spoken) is required.

13Language (Desirable)

• Knowledge of Spanish, Arabic, or any other language relevant to Geneva Call’s operations is an advantage.

14Why join Geneva Call?

Geneva Call brings together people of diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and perspectives, fostering an inclusive working environment for all staff.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape policy and legal approaches that strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict, influence humanitarian practice, and contribute to high-level research, analysis and advocacy. Working at the intersection of policy, international humanitarian law and engagement with armed actors, you will play a key role in advancing Geneva Call’s mission in some of the world’s most complex conflict environments.

If you are passionate about translating research and legal analysis into meaningful humanitarian impact, we look forward to receiving your application.