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Theirc

Instructional Design Intern

Elizabeth, NJ

$15 - $20.25/hr

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping ... The Instructional Design Intern will assist the Youth Instructional Design Specialist with ...

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As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for humanitarian design in the United States is $55.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.04 and $64.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Professionals in humanitarian design often work with limited resources, tight timelines, and in environments that may be affected by conflict or natural disasters, which can make project implementation challenging. Adapting design solutions to diverse cultural, environmental, and logistical contexts while ensuring safety and sustainability is also a frequent difficulty. Collaborating with local communities, NGOs, and multidisciplinary teams is vital to ensure that solutions are practical and accepted by end users. Overcoming these challenges requires flexibility, strong communication skills, and a deep commitment to understanding the real needs of the people you are designing for.

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A Humanitarian Design job focuses on creating innovative, ethical, and sustainable solutions that address social, environmental, and economic challenges in underserved communities. Professionals in this field use design thinking, engineering, and technology to develop products, services, or systems that improve quality of life. They often collaborate with NGOs, government agencies, and local communities to ensure solutions are culturally appropriate and impactful. Roles can range from designing affordable housing and clean water systems to developing accessible healthcare solutions.

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To excel in Humanitarian Design, you need expertise in user-centered design, problem-solving, and a background in fields such as architecture, engineering, or product design, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and experience with prototyping or field-testing tools are commonly required, while certifications in project management or humanitarian standards can be advantageous. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability are essential for collaborating with diverse stakeholders and navigating challenging environments. These competencies are critical for creating practical, sustainable design solutions that effectively meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations.

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Infographic showing various Humanitarian Design job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,273 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Humanitarian Affairs Adviser

International Committee of the Red Cross

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Humanitarian Affairs Adviser
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations (New York)
Resident position based in New York City
Eligibility Requirement: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for ICRC.
CONTEXT
The ICRC Delegation to the United Nations (UN) in New York City, through its status of Permanent Observer to the United Nations, plays a key role in humanitarian diplomacy.

ICRC NYC team members must be highly motivated, skilled relationship-builders, curious and flexible, and quickly able to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-changing dynamics at UN Headquarters (UNHQ) and with Permanent Missions. Very good political instincts, the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities, experience managing competing interests, and the ability to think creatively and analyze an issue from multiple perspectives are indispensable.

PURPOSE
The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser enables the delegation to understand and influence the wider humanitarian environment at the United Nations. They design and deliver effective diplomatic and policy strategies and shape the delegation's engagement at the United Nations as well as joining the dots globally. They contribute to the thinking and strategies of other policy/diplomacy hubs. They represent the ICRC in multilateral and bilateral engagements relevant to their responsibilities. They participate in meetings, monitor and analyze political dynamics, UN discussions and humanitarian trends, convey key ICRC messages to external interlocutors to influence debates, negotiations, and report internally on UN activities and relevant issues. They build and maintain a strong diverse diplomatic network at UNHQ and beyond as a critical component to all humanitarian diplomacy objectives.

RELATIONSHIPS

  • Hierarchical: The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser reports to the Head of Humanitarian Affairs and Policy (Deputy Permanent Observer).
  • Internally, they interact with the Humanitarian Affairs team, the Head of Humanitarian Affairs (direct supervisor) and the Head of Delegation. They also interact with relevant operational delegations in the region(s) they cover and ICRC Geneva Headquarters (ICRC HQ), including regions, external engagement colleagues, and other relevant parts of ICRC HQ, such as Protection, and the Legal Division.
  • Externally, interacts with UN Member state and UN Observer delegates, UN secretariat and agencies staff, UN-related think-tanks, and other relevant persons.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advise all levels of the ICRC on processes, fora and stakeholders related to humanitarian diplomacy and contribute to the development and delivery of the ICRC’s engagement and influencing strategies. Among other tasks and responsibilities, the position will include:

  • Being the focal point for ICRC Humanitarian diplomacy for the Americas and Eurasia regions (excluding Türkiye), and in charge of the following thematic issues: climate and security, essential services, and hunger and conflict, among others.
  • Monitoring/analyzing/reporting/influencing deliberations and decisions of the UN Security Council (UNSC); maintaining relations with Permanent Missions in New York and concerned ICRC regions and delegations.
  • Maintaining dialogue with ICRC regions and delegations, informing and mobilizing diplomatic engagement enabling ICRC operations.
  • Functioning as strategic anchor between relevant capitals, Geneva and NYC, for key policy and operational objectives.
  • Being the focal point for the strategic engagement in NYC and for UN processes on thematic issues of priority to the ICRC.
  • Monitoring/analyzing/reporting/influencing relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and debates.
  • Taking an active part in the planning of ICRC field and ICRC HQ engagements at the United Nations or with Member States (MS) (UNGA High Level Week and ICRC leadership / operations visits to New York).
  • Maintaining regular dialogue and coordination with IFRC counterparts in New York relevant files.
  • Advising management on new UNSC dynamics and opportunities.
  • Contributing to designing and delivering effective diplomatic strategies, tactics, plans, and products based on the ICRC's global (and regional) humanitarian diplomacy priorities.
  • Building and sharing experience on the dynamics of both global and regional politics and positioning at state, regional and UN levels, particularly how these trends affect and inform geopolitics at UNHQ. Working with ICRC New York and ICRC HQ policy teams to cultivate and maintain an effective network of contacts within diplomatic circles, international organizations, governments, regional organizations, NGOs, and UN.
  • Participating in the annual planning and budgeting process (Planning for Results), leading on objectives for their portfolio and setting policy/diplomacy direction and monitoring impact/outcomes. Determining work priorities related to the achievement of these objectives.
  • Possibly supervising, coaching, training and providing technical support to Humanitarian Affairs associates and other team members in their department, as appropriate.
GENERAL DUTIES

  • Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
  • Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct.
  • Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
  • Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times.
  • Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times.
  • Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers.
  • Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC.
  • May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

  • 8+ years of professional experience, ideally in humanitarian, policy, diplomatic or related fields
  • Sound knowledge of international relations and the humanitarian and diplomatic environment
  • Previous experience in humanitarian diplomacy capitals would be useful (Geneva, New York, Brussels, Addis Ababa, …)
  • Demonstrated capacity and experience in developing and maintaining networks across a range of diplomatic or humanitarian actors
  • Very good knowledge of the ICRC & institutional issues; i.e. operations, international humanitarian law (IHL), humanitarian principles, Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement
  • Experience in negotiation between States and/or among UN entities, proven ability to negotiate
  • Field experience in complex operations with an important presence of multilateral political, humanitarian & military actors of the UN including relevant agencies and the UN secretariat, as well as the RC/RC Movement & NGOs will be viewed very positively. ICRC field experience will be particularly valued
  • A university degree in political science, law, international relations or similar is required. An advanced university degree in the same is highly desirable
  • Experience in contexts high on the UN agenda, in particular those at the Security Council, is an advantage


REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • Excellent capacity to conceptualize, and a proven record in planning, as well as rapid and high-quality reporting
  • Excellent analytical skills and capacity to translate UN debates for the ICRC
  • Understanding of the nature of both contemporary and potential future armed conflict, and the possible implications for humanitarian actions. Highly adept in networking and relationship management. Ability to engage diverse diplomatic interlocutors at various levels
  • Understanding of underlying issues in negotiations between States, capacity & will to influence resolutions/PRSTs of the Security Council, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  • Excellent level of spoken and written English
  • Spanish language fluency is highly desirable
  • Abilities in one or more of the other official UN languages is an asset (French, Arabic, Russian or Chinese)
  • Excellent people skills and a collaborator
  • Proven ability to balance competing demands, assess political risks, and manage time in a fast-paced work environment. Flexibility and responsiveness are key
  • Sensitivity to humanitarian, political, economic & legal analyses (Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law)
  • Capacity to adhere to the ICRC core principles, in particular those of neutrality and impartiality
  • Strongly motivated by humanitarian work and scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles

What we offer:
-Join a leading multi-disciplinary humanitarian organization – part of the world’s largest humanitarian network
-Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
-A full-time resident position based in New York City
-Competitive salary
-Lucrative benefits package that includes:

  • Robust health and dental insurance plan
  • 20 paid vacation days (annually)
  • 11 paid holidays + 3 floating holidays
  • 7 paid sick/personal days (annually)
  • 11.5% Employer contribution for our 403b retirement plan

Compensation: The salary range for this role is between USD 130,650 – USD 140,010.

Applications Instructions:
You are required to:

  1. include your resume (no more than two pages)
  2. include your cover letter that highlights your interest, skills, experience, and salary requirements (no more than one page)
  3. respond to the specified questions within the application


  • Application Deadline: July 15, 2026. Applications may be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.
  • Start date : August 10, 2026
  • We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Apply now!
Our Values. At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values.
If you have any questions on the application or need assistance, please contact us at was_hrrecruitment_services@icrc.org.

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