Armed and Security Forces Coordinator

PURPOSE

Based in Mexico City, the Armed and Security Forces (ASF) Coordinator has the prime responsibility for developing and contributing to the strategic and operational dialogue with arms carriers in the area of responsibility of the Regional Delegation (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama).

In coordination with Washington and Geneva might support Armed and Security Forces objectives of the Washington Regional Delegation.

The regional coordinator ASF is responsible for shaping the ICRC Regional Delegation's institutional approach and strategies aiming at enhancing its dialogue with national and regional entities (i.e. Central American Armed Forces Conference as well as with all regional/global aspects related to the Mexican and Central American armed and security forces) and advancing the ICRC's dialogue with the armed and security forces, with respect to the use of force, the acceptance of the ICRC's mandate and activities, the promotion, implementation and integration of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights law (IHRL) and other legal relevant standards.

The ASF coordinator seeks to strengthen synergies and promote transversal approaches with Protection to jointly address the consequences of the law enforcement operations, being of military or police nature, in the region and setting strategies to have a sustainable impact on the matters identified by protection.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The ASF coordinator provides structured and coordinated support to the regional delegation (RD), including Mexico and the structures under the Regional Delegation (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama) in their dialogue with arms carriers - including Armed forces (ArmFo), Police/ Security forces (SecFo) in support to the ASF programme assistants/file holders and management.
• In coordination with Washington, s/he ensures ASF support to Washington delegation, focused on Mexico and Central American ArmFo and contacts of interest.
• S/he will develop/review a comprehensive ASF strategy, based on the institutional strategy, the regional Strategic Framework, the regional Prevention strategy, the Regional Delegation's priorities, needs and ASF AMERICAS Regional Strategy.
• S/he supports ArmFo and SecFo efforts to integrate IHL/IHRL into doctrine, education, training, equipment and relevant aspects of their operations.
• S/he promotes the positioning of the ICRC as a relevant humanitarian actor and a reference organisation on IHL and IHRL.
• S/he implements the ASF program, including planning, carrying out, assessing, and following up ASF activities at RD level.
• S/he monitors the effectiveness of ASF programs at the RD level, including the prevention of violations of IHL/IHRL.
• S/he delivers specific training and workshops to Armed and Security Forces of the Regional Delegation.
• S/he assists the security and safety officer of the delegation with security issues, upon request.
• S/he supports specific strategic anchoring activities & dialogue in the Regional Delegation.
• S/he tracks ASF-related developments in the region and produces analyses and reports on trends and risks.
• S/he follows ASF-specific developments in the Region, notably with regard to integration, military organization, and civil-military relations in the region.
• S/he handles operational and thematic issues in regard to dialogue with Armed and Security Forces, and other arms carriers when requested, and advises on the humanitarian implications of the use of force and military in security operations, providing essential technical advice in case of representations/documentation related to protection of population and dialogue (including representations) and contributes to boost acceptance of the ICRC's mandate, the promotion, integration, and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) & international human rights law (IHRL), the Use of Force, and other relevant legal standards.
• S/he contributes to institutional messages for key military and arms-carrier stakeholders on priority themes (law enforcement, urban violence, detention, displacement, migration, Health care in danger, missing persons).
• S/he advises field teams and management to ensure dialogue with arms carriers supports multidisciplinary responses and identifies challenges and best practices.
• S/he maintains and expands networks with military, police, and security institutions in coordination with ASF teams.
• S/he develops strategic relationships with key authorities and stakeholders to support the Protection dialogue in Mexico.
• S/he develops and maintains relationship-building and networking within high level interlocutors of relevant structures of the SecFo.
• S/he supports the delegation in expanding its non-military contacts (authorities, think tanks, other organisations), notably where there is a nexus to the ArmFo, Police and SecFo.
• S/he engages toward a wide range of multiple stakeholders and coordinators in the region in the analysis, planning, and ICRC response to arms carriers' methods of actuation.
• In close coordination with other departments and the Missions, s/he is responsible to produce the Planning for Results. related to Actors of Influence, and any other institutional reporting, and manages the department's planning and budget.
• Monitors and evaluates the impact of programmes and activities with arms carriers.
• Contributes in a timely and concise manner to the proper documentation of the ASF activities (statistics and narrative reports) and to the institutional reporting for the department and the Delegation.
• Coordinates and supports the employees under her/his supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.

Requirements:

• Master´s degree or equivalent.
• Military studies or experience as an asset.
• Fluent in Spanish and English.
• French an asset.
• Proven teaching/coaching experience.
• Computer proficiency.

Experience:

• At least 15 years professional experience as a senior Military officer -at least with the rank of Colonel- or Police officer -with equivalent rank- with ..
• In-depth knowledge of the ICRC and its mandate.
• Sound knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
• Very good knowledge of the countries covered by the Regional Delegation.

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Accountability
• People management
• Stakeholder management
• Networking
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Communication

What we offer?
Competitive salary, higher benefits than the law, opportunity to contribute to an international humanitarian organization.

Workplace:
Mexico City with availability for frequent trips in Mexico and in Central America.

HOW TO APPLY?

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document in English.

Apply using this link

Please also include details of your salary expectations and date to be available

Application deadline, on or before:
08th December 2025