Intern, Humanitarian Diplomacy

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

Supporting the regional Humanitarian Diplomacy and Communications teams to ensure a strategic, coordinated, consultative approach to the Africa Regional office engagement around Humanitarian diplomacy and support national societies, country cluster delegations and other regional units as well as external engagement and key partners.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The HD Intern will support the Regional HD unit and will:

• Support the follow up and track the implementation of the Regional and global commitments by IFRC and its National Societies at various forums.
• Support the engagement of National Societies, key experts, and partners to ensure they are well informed of relevant developments and can share their inputs to key strategic deliverables.
• Write information briefings, updates, newsletters, etc.
• Follow key regional meetings, summarize, and share key takeaways and action points.
• Undertake desktop research as needed.
• Support with fact -checking and editing of documents.
• Support in consolidating and presenting relevant data.
• Support events organizing
• Support the dissemination of information about the Pan African initiatives, including updating the Grand Bargain Localization Workstream’s online platform and preparing updates for Workstream members, the African National Societies, and other audiences.
• Monitor news and identify any issues that affect the organization’s reputation.
• The intern will also support other needs of the HD Unit as needed.

Duties applicable to all staff.

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s Agenda for Renewal in implementing Strategy 2030.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• Enrolment in, or completion of an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in international development, law, political science, humanitarian action, climate policy, or related field. Required.

Experience

• Work or volunteer experience in the international humanitarian sector, external relations, and/or climate or DRR policy research. Required.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality. Required.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment. Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Knowledge about the humanitarian sector, disaster management. Required.
• Strong research and writing skills. Required.
• Knowledge of climate policy and/or climate adaptation programming. Preferred.
• Fluent spoken and written English. Required.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic). Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.