Women as Humanitarian Leaders Intern

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 the 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.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The 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 the 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; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. 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 delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia supports thirty-eight (38) National Societies in Asia Pacific. The Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) Bangkok covers four countries namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam and reports to the Asia Pacific Regional Office. The CCD Bangkok also provides secretariat support to the Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Networks and represents IFRC with the United Nations ESCAP and other regional organizations based in Bangkok.

The IFRC Asia Pacific Region has formed a management steering committee to advance women as humanitarian leaders in Asia Pacific, both for the secretariat and Asia Pacific members. The committee developed a concept, which was endorsed in March 2022 and aims to inspire all women in Asia Pacific to have a future within the IFRC secretariat and national societies, to have access to more opportunities for capacity building, support, inspiration, mentoring and coaching, in order to pursue leadership positions. It will focus on overcoming the different barriers that women at all levels of the organization face that may disengage and disillusion them and prevent them from accessing more senior positions. 

The Women in Leadership intern reports to the Head of CCD, Bangkok as the chair of the Women as Humanitarian leaders in Asia Pacific management steering committee, however the role will provide broader support to the working groups across the wider Asia Pacific region. 

The purpose of this internship is to provide remote support to the Women as Humanitarian leaders in Asia Pacific steering committee and working groups to advance women as leaders in Asia Pacific aligned with the concept note. 

• Provide secretariat support to the Women as Humanitarian leaders in Asia Pacific steering committee and working groups
• Maintain the online platform for documents and sharing related to the Women as Humanitarian leaders in Asia Pacific activities
• Support to organise, host and promote online webinars, technical trainings and network meetings for women according to the plans of the working groups
• Coordinate with external organisations, and support to develop and maintain a mentoring and coaching program
• Draft documents such as concept notes and reports to update on progress as requested
• Other tasks as requested by the steering committee or working groups

University degree  (Required)

• Working or volunteering experience with a Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in Asia Pacific (Preferred)
• Knowledge of the RCRC Movement (Preferred)

• Self-supporting in computer skills (Required)
• Ability to work in a diverse cultural context (Required)
• Advanced written and spoken English (Required)
• Ability to organise and host online meetings (Required)
• Highly organised, with ability to create a team approach (Required)
• Excellent relationship building skills; ability to build and strengthen internal and external networks, and establish effective partnerships, with National Societies (Required)
• Skilled in analytical and strategic thinking (Required)

Remark:

Internship fee: CHF 400/ month

Criteria: Be currently-enrolled in a university or have graduated within 1 year