Intern, Disaster Law

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

The purpose of this position is to support the Disaster Law MENA Programme in research, mappings, and event planning on regional and national levels. The position will support the DLP MENA coordinator, and the HDCC unit in extension, in technically supporting the National Societies and their public authorities in advancing the laws, regulations, and policies related to disasters and the institutional arrangements in that regard. S/he will work closely with IFRC colleagues in other units and in regional and country delegations to advance the work and develop joint approaches. Overall, IFRC Disaster Law work aims to make communities safer and to improve the protection of vulnerable people at risk of disasters, climate change and crises.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Legal research and information products
  • Undertake desk and case study research on disaster law, auxiliary role and other areas of law as assigned, with a focus on MENA countries.
  • Support the development of a regional mapping of disaster risk management laws, regulations, policies, strategies and case studies in politically and socially stable countries and mixed emergencies, armed conflicts, protracted and compounded humanitarian crises.
  • Consolidate the findings of research, support in analysing the data and developing recommendations.
  • Draft narrative reports, consultancy TORs, concept note and contribute to drafting top-quality reports.
  • Support in the development of informational and communication products.

• Capacity strengthening, advocacy, and networking
  • Support organizing trainings and webinars for National Societies and the public authorities to foster cooperation and sharing of best practices on disaster law, auxiliary role and legislative advocacy.
  • Prepare speeches, talking points and presentations.
  • Liaise with consultants requested to prepare studies and follow up on the work.
  • If requested, represent IFRC in events relevant to disaster law and auxiliary role of NS.

• Resource mobilization and strategic direction
  • Support if needed DLP MENA plans and strategic directions development.
  • Support drafting proposals and donor reporting regarding the assigned areas of work.

• Contribute to an effective, high quality IFRC team
  • Liaise with IFRC colleagues in other units and in regional and country delegations to ensure coordination of work and joint approaches.
  • Be a pro-active team member fostering a service-oriented culture that values teamwork, proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and cost effectiveness.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in law - Required
• Master’s degree or equivalent in public and/or international law - Preferred

Experience

• 0 to 1 year of relevant experience or previous internships - Preferrable
• Experience working in humanitarian or development sector, with developing countries and/or with an international organisation - Preferred
• Experience working in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement - Preferred
• Experience in narrative reporting and proposal drafting - Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge

• knowledge of international and domestic legal and policy framework related to comprehensive disaster risk management laws - Preferred

Skills

• Communication and negotiation skills - Required
• Ability to work collectively, and with complete integrity and confidentiality - Required
• Results oriented and demand-driven individual - Required
• Strong analytical and drafting skills - Required

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French) - Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values

• Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies

• Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

IFRC Disclaimer

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.

If you appointed to or undertake a role within IFRC, whether as staff, staff on loan or secondees, you will be subject to the organization's Code of Conduct, which is available here and on our website.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include prior professional conduct checks and review of criminal records. IFRC will request a conduct check from all prior employers for a period of 5 years, including but not limited to employers who like IFRC participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more details on the Scheme, please see THE MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE SCHEME — SCHR.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!