Director of Arbitration and ADR – Africa

As the institutional representative of over 45 million businesses in more than 170 countries, the International Chamber of Commerce operates with a core mission to “make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere”. We act as the primary voice of the real economy in a range of intergovernmental organisations – from the World Trade Organization to the UN climate process – championing the needs of local business in global decision making. The convening power of our global network enables us to set rules and standards that facilitate over $17 trillion dollars in trade each year – as well as providing tailored products and digital services that directly address the real challenges faced by businesses operating internationally. We also provide the world's premier private global dispute resolution services, leveraging ICC's unique independence, integrity, and expertise.

We are seeking a Director of Arbitration and ADR – Africa. In this role, you will join ICC’s Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) and lead our engagement, visibility and programme delivery across the African continent, working under the functional supervision of the Head of Global DRS Development.

Your responsibilities will include:

Promotion of ICC dispute resolution services

• Represent ICC Arbitration and ADR across Africa and promote ICC’s rules, processes and institutional strengths to legal professionals, corporate counsel, government entities and arbitration practitioners.
• Respond to regional queries regarding ICC Arbitration and ADR Rules and procedures, ensuring accurate and timely guidance to users.
• Strengthen the presence and visibility of ICC DRS by working closely with ICC national committees and regional partners.

Strategic engagement and business development

• Develop and implement a regional engagement plan aligned with ICC’s global strategy and the DRS development roadmap.
• Build durable relationships with law firms, arbitration centres, corporate stakeholders, public authorities, academia and bar associations.
• Provide market insights, trends and recommendations to ICC’s international headquarters to support the development of new initiatives and strategic programmes.

Event development and participation

• Lead the organisation, planning and delivery of major ICC conferences, seminars and training programmes across Africa, including ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) activities.
• Oversee logistics, budgets, speaker engagement and sponsorship coordination in collaboration with ICC’s marketing and design teams.
• Act as speaker or moderator at key regional and international events.

Regional stakeholder relations

• Maintain and grow relationships with the African arbitration community, including arbitral institutions, legal networks, chambers of commerce and professional associations.
• Coordinate with speakers, partners and sponsors for regional and global ICC initiatives.
• Serve as the focal point for Africa related DRS projects, ensuring consistent communication between ICC’s international headquarters and regional stakeholders.

Expert advisory and thought leadership

• Monitor legal, regulatory and institutional developments in arbitration and ADR across Africa and share insights with ICC teams.
• Contribute to ICC publications, training programmes and policy discussions relating to arbitration practice and dispute resolution frameworks in Africa.
• Support selected strategic projects such as expanding ICC’s regional presence or exploring feasibility for representative offices.

What we offer:

• A dynamic, collaborative and caring work environment in an international setting
• Opportunities to continually learn
• The chance to make a meaningful impact
• Partial work from home opportunities

Ready to join us?

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Hold an advanced legal degree and significant experience in international arbitration or ADR, ideally with strong exposure to African jurisdictions;
• Have an established professional network within the African legal and business community;
• Have a strong business development acumen, with the ability to build credibility and trust at senior levels;
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills in English (fluency in French or other major African languages is a strong advantage);
• Have a demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast paced environment;
• Are able and willing to travel across the African continent on a regular basis;
• Are proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes (familiarity with CRM systems and digital communication tools is an asset).

Estimated start date: As soon as possible

Department: ICC Dispute Resolution Services

Location: Remote (Africa-based or ICC International Headquarters depending on missions)

Contract type and duration: Independent contractor agreement, with renewal subject to organisational needs. 

At ICC, we make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. And when we say “everyone”, we mean it. We celebrate the diversity of our people and strive to inspire acceptance, cultivate a culture where difference matters, inclusion is essential, and equality of opportunity is for everyone.