Intern, Human Resources

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.

The 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 (NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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.

The Under-Secretary General, Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (USG-MPSCS), reports directly to the Secretary General, and leads the MPSCS Division. This Division consists of the Financial and Administrative Management Department (FAMD); the Human Resources Management Department (HRMD); the Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management Department (HSSCMD); and the Global Services Centre (GSC), Budapest (Hungary).

The Directors of FAMD, HRMD, GHSSCMD and GSC report to the USG-MPSCS. 

HRMD is responsible for acquiring, assigning, developing, and promoting staff to ensure that the right people occupy the right positions at the right time to enable the Federation to achieve its strategic and operational goals. HRMD also provides advice and support on human resources management, duty of care and wellbeing matters, including policies and procedures, to other departments/divisions at the Secretariat Headquarters in Geneva and to offices in regions and delegations around the world. It works with National Societies to build capacity, explore solutions, respond to needs and support staff.

This internship opportunity is within the newly created Human Resources Occupational Health, Safety and Well-being Unit, HRMD, which is primarily located in Geneva, Switzerland. It will report to the Manager, Occupational Health, Safety and Well-being Unit. Close guidance will be provided by the manager and relevant team members as this is a development opportunity. The selected individual will be required to develop positive working relations across all HRMD functions and demonstrate a proactive attitude. It is expected that this internship opportunity will span a period of six months.

The main purpose of this internship is to provide substantive contributions to the various work portfolios and services of the Unit, such as strategy development, policy drafting and projects, processes and procedures aimed at enhancing occupational health as well as designing interventions to promote and maintain a healthy work force. Contributions to HRMD reports as well as to broader HRMD and IFRC-wide projects will also be required. This internship will provide the selected individual with exposure to working in a dynamic, international, humanitarian organization as well as an opportunity to put theory into practice.

The following tasks and responsibilities are currently envisioned for this internship opportunity. The opportunity is mainly project-oriented to allow greater impact and development of skills.

• Assist in quantitative and qualitative benchmarking and best practices research on a variety of staff health and well-being related topics, including consulting with relevant stakeholders to support the development of a comprehensive Staff Health Strategy and Policy, which includes well-being and addresses IFRC’s duty of care.
• Assist in drafting components of the IFRC Staff Health Strategy and Policy.
• Explore ideas and methods that will help support and strengthen the global inclusion of Occupational Health in daily practice. In close cooperation with the relevant stakeholders, identify and propose tools and guidance to improve comprehension, access and self-care while upholding IFRC’s duty of care.
• Discuss common challenges and propose solutions to address these challenges.
• Assess, evaluate, and lead the process of improvement for the internal website to promote the services and resources provided by the Unit, reflecting on the best practices of other organizations and propose new approaches, in particular ensuring that there is an adequate and timely flow of information to Regional Offices and Delegations.
• Assist in the design, elaboration and delivery of new well-being and mental health guidelines within the organization; carry out gap analyses as required.
• Prepare and finalize draft internal communications and reports on specific issues as requested by the supervisors, including development of charts, graphs.

• Contribute to the design of in-person trainings and webinars on a variety of subjects such as a healthier work force, well-being as an institutional approach, first aid and safety.
• Carry out administrative work as and when needed, such as the monitoring of internal workflows to ensure timely delivery of services or the establishment of standard templates and health advice aimed at facilitating work.
• Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the Manager, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit.

• Recent college graduate, i.e., within one year at time of application, with at a minimum a first-level university degree in Business Administration, Health Engineering, Public Health, Occupational Health, or similar field from a recognized academic institution. An advanced academic degree would be an advantage.

• Some practical knowledge of duty of care in international organizations and how staff health and well-being are addressed in a comprehensive manner.
• Knowledge of current developments and global trends linked to the broad field of Staff Health as well as knowledge of currently available resources.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Business Intelligence, Canva or other visual and graphic tools and software.
• Ability to use Excel, Power Point and/or any other analytics and presentations tools.
• A desire to grow and develop a career within the humanitarian sector.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Good command of one or more other IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is preferred.
• Strong drafting skills and an analytical mind.
• Proven versatility and a thirst for knowledge and development.
• Experience producing reports and reviewing processes.
• People-oriented and able to build relationships with a diverse team.
• Proactive and enthusiastic, never afraid to propose new ideas with a fresh, innovative mindset and a "can-do" approach.
• Attention to details, time management and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with the RCRC Movement a plus.

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability