External Relations Adviser (P-3)

Organisational Context

The President of the ICC together with the two Vice Presidents constitute the Presidency of the Court, which is responsible for the proper administration of the Court and other functions conferred upon it in accordance with the Statute. The President or Presidency as a whole, as may be appropriate, exercises managerial oversight and ensures coordination and cooperation between the organs of the Court; supports the expeditious, fair and effective conduct of judicial proceedings; assigns judges to divisions and chambers, exercises functions related to the enforcement of the sentences of convicted persons, as well as external functions to represent the Court, foster global understanding of, cooperation with and support for its work, and promote the universality of the institution. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chef de Cabinet to the President of the Court, the incumbent will support the Presidency in its functions related to the external relations of the Court. The incumbent will:

• Plan and coordinate the external relations’ annual work programme in the preparation and implementation of the external relations and communications strategy and activities of the Presidency, in particular, through providing advice to the Presidency on issues, developments, policies and approaches impacting the Presidency’s external relations-related activities, conducting research and preparing materials;
• Coordinate the conceptual planning and preparation of all communications activities of the Presidency relating to in-Court visits and events (such as government officials, embassies and other dignitaries of States Parties, the media, academia, the annual Judicial Seminar);
• Coordinate all aspects of the Presidency’s external travel and engagements, including conducting background research, preparation of speaking material, communicating with relevant government interlocutors, conference organisers, media or academic representatives or others, and accompany the President and/or other members of the Presidency on missions, as required;
• Facilitate inter-organ coordination of external relations issues, seeking Court-wide approach, where possible and appropriate, including through chairing meetings of the inter-organ external relations working group, coordinating diplomatic briefings and preparation of selected reports;
• Coordinate inter-organ meetings, discussions and decision-making and represent the office at various ASP oversight bodies fora, such as the Hague Working Group;
• Draft, and/or coordinate and ensure the preparation of, various written outputs, such as high-quality speeches and speaking notes, background information and papers, media statements and publications, press releases, social media posts relating to the Presidency’s external relations activities; lead the drafting of the Court’s annual reports on activities to the UN and the ASP;
• Draft, and/or coordinate and oversee the preparation of, timely responses to the large volume of communications and correspondence received by the Presidency;
• Coordinate and supervise the work of the Presidency’s External Relations team;
• Perform any other duties as required.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

• An advanced university degree in law, international relations, political science, or other relevant fields, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience (or seven years with a first level university degree), combining external relations and international criminal justice, acquired in an international organisation, and/or an international court, and/or a foreign ministry and/or other relevant governmental entities, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in working with the media, drafting high-quality speeches, key messages, speaking notes, background information and papers, media statements and publications, press releases, reports or other relevant written outputs, is required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of international criminal justice and international criminal law, the substantive and procedural aspects of the Court and the Rome Statute system more broadly;

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the functioning of international tribunals;
• Excellent diplomatic, communication, negotiation and organisational skills;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills and ability to prepare and present reports that are clear and concise;
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with flexibility and ability to adjust in a highly dynamic environment;
• Ability to keep strict standards of confidentiality;
• Capacity to prioritize activities and assignments and foresee risks;
• Ability to work effectively and constructively with colleagues from different professional, national and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to work effectively under strict deadlines; and
• Professional and personal integrity.

Knowledge of languages:

• Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, English or French is required. Working knowledge of the other is highly desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.

ICC Leadership Competencies
Purpose
Collaboration
People
Results

ICC Core Competencies
Dedication to the mission and values
Professionalism
Teamwork
Learning and developing
Handling uncertain situations
Interaction
Realising objectives

Learn more about ICC leadership and core competencies.

General Information

Candidates appointed to posts at a P-5 grade or in the Director category are subject to a maximum aggregate length of service of seven years. This is pursuant to a decision of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP Resolution ICC-ASP/23/Res.2 - ICC-ASP-23-Res.2-ENG) to implement a tenure policy at the Court as of 1 January 2025.

- The selected candidate will be subject to a Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) process in accordance with ICC policy. The PSC process will include but will not be limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check.

- Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ICC E-Recruitment web-site.

- Post to be filled by a national of a State Party to the ICC Statute, or of a State which has signed and is engaged in the ratification process or which is engaged in the accession process. This is pursuant to a decision of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP Resolution ICC-ASP/23/Res.3 - ICC-ASP-23-Res.3-ENG) to introduce a moratorium on the recruitment by the ICC of staff of non-States Parties’ nationality.

- In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC aims to achieve fair representation of women and men for all positions, representation of the principal legal systems of the world for legal positions, and equitable geographical representation for positions in the professional category.

- Applications from female candidates are particularly encouraged.

- The International Criminal Court applies the Inter-Organization Mobility Accord and can support secondment of staff from organizations of the United Nations Common System.