Disaster Risk Management Intern

Terms of reference for internship

Purpose of Project and Background

This internship is designed to provide practical experience and professional development opportunities for students or recent graduates interested in disaster risk management and humanitarian action in the Asia Pacific region. Hosted within the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Country Cluster Delegation in Bangkok, the intern will support the American Red Cross's regional disaster preparedness and response initiatives. Working under the guidance of the Regional Response Lead and the Deputy Regional Director, the intern will contribute to program coordination, research, knowledge management, and communication efforts across multiple countries. The internship offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into regional humanitarian operations, engage with diverse stakeholders, and support integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction and resilience building in one of the world’s most hazard-prone regions.

Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy
(IFRC’s Strategy 2030)

This internship aligns with the IFRC Strategy 2030, which emphasizes the need to address the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of humanitarian challenges, particularly those driven by climate change, disasters, and health crises.
By supporting integrated disaster risk management efforts in the Asia Pacific region, the intern will contribute to strategic priorities such as enhancing community resilience, strengthening local action, and improving anticipation and response to crises.
Through this role, the intern will directly engage in efforts that embody the Strategy’s overarching vision: a world where communities are safer, more resilient, and better prepared to face the risks of tomorrow.

Project objectives

Support disaster risk work in the region: Help with planning and carrying out activities that reduce disaster risks and support communities to be more prepared.

Assist in meetings and coordination: Help organize and take notes during regional meetings and learning events related to disaster preparedness and response.

Do research and help manage information: Look up information and write short summaries on topics like climate change, early warning systems, and how communities stay safe during disasters.

Help track program progress: Support the team in keeping records of ongoing projects, deadlines, and results, and help organize this information for reports.

Support communications and visibility: Write or help prepare stories, updates, and other materials to show what the American Red Cross is doing in the region.

Desired outcomes
• The intern gains real experience and skills in disaster risk management and working with humanitarian teams in Asia Pacific.
• The American Red Cross benefits from the intern’s support in research, coordination, and documentation, helping their disaster preparedness work.
• Meetings and events run smoothly with clear notes, good organization, and follow-up.
• Information about programs and partners is well kept and easy to access, helping the team communicate better.
• The intern helps create useful reports, stories, and research that support learning and share successes.
• The intern improves skills in communication, planning, teamwork, and working with people from different cultures.
• The intern’s work supports key IFRC goals like climate action, disaster preparedness, stronger communities, and local response.

Internship outputs
• Clear meeting notes and summaries from regional meetings, workshops, and discussions.
• Research reports and summaries on disaster risk topics like climate resilience and early action.
• Updated tracking tools, contact lists, and data organized to help with program coordination.
• Communication materials like updates, stories, and short reports to share information.
• Support documents for events, such as agendas, participant lists, and feedback summaries.
• A final report from the intern summarizing what they learned, their work, and suggestions for the future.

Method of delivery and reasons for selecting that method
• The internship will be delivered primarily through in-person engagement at the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation in Bangkok, with limited remote working options available in line with IFRC policies and based on operational needs.
• Reason for selecting this method: enhanced learning through immersion, improved collaboration and supervision, access to resources and networks, team integration and relationship building.

Support to be provided to the intern
• The intern will have a supervisor who will guide them, check progress regularly, and give feedback.
• The intern will get an introduction to the IFRC, American Red Cross, and the disaster risk management work in the region.

• A workspace with all needed equipment like a computer and internet will be provided at the office in Bangkok.
• The intern can join trainings, webinars, team meetings, and other events to learn more and grow professionally.
• Regular reviews will be held to talk about progress, give advice, and help the intern learn and improve.

Schedule for payment of fees

Stipend of THB 10,726 per month, paid on the 27th of each month.
Total budget: THB 10,726 x 6 months = THB 64,356.
The intern will be contracted by the IFRC and the standard contractual terms will apply.
Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with IFRC’s relevant regulations.

Time Allocation, for budget purposes
Duration: 6 months

Management of consultancy

Line manager: Regional Response Lead, Asia Pacific, American Red Cross
Technical manager: Deputy Regional Director