Internship, Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF)

Organizational Context

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. 

The Health, Disaster, Climate and Crisis (HDCC) Department focuses on all components of disaster risk management, as well as all phases of disaster and crisis response recognizing that this often operate in a simultaneously and overlapping manner. The HDCC ensures quality, relevant and effective support to the National Societies of Red Cross (NS) to improve the services they provide to communities and people affected by disasters and crises and in support of resilience-building processes of disadvantaged groups. This covers actions reaching all levels of intervention –from local to global- in a way that fosters the effective integration of the seven areas of focus , as well as timely assistance to ensure that Red Cross National Societies consistently deliver –through their volunteers and staff- relevant country-wide services to vulnerable people, sustained for as long as needed.

To achieve its goal, the HDCC department delivers services to different stakeholders, at different levels. It mainly works with and through Red Cross National Societies, providing technical support and assisting in the implementation of their operations and programmes. It also works closely with other humanitarian partners and other actors, such as regional integration mechanisms, disaster management systems and civil society.

Job Purpose

The role of DREF Intern will contribute to the development of activities carried out by the Federation’s Health, Disaster, Climate, and Crisis Unit as part of the follow-up and monitoring of the emergencies and disasters in the Americas region, with particular focus on the Anticipatory and Response pillar of the DREF.

Objectives:

General Objectives applicable to all staff are:

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work following the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
• Adhere to standard operational procedures (SOPs), Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance and other standards.
• Submit the Handover Document, Mission Appraisal, and a Deployment Feedback at the end of the mission.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will work closely with the Regional DREF Senior Officer on the following tasks and objectives:

Technical Support:

1. Support the preparation of DREF allocation requests by providing guidance on eligibility and compliance with DREF procedures.
2. Contribute to the development of resources and tools to strengthen understanding and utilization of the new DREF Procedures.
3. Assist in maintaining a database of DREF-related information, including reports, proposals, and correspondence.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

1. Support the monitoring and evaluation of DREF operations to ensure they align with emergency plans of action and achieve their objectives.
2. Contribute to the systematic collection and analysis of information on DREF operations to assist in assessing and recording key lessons for future disaster responses.
3. Assist in maintaining an overview of DREF expenditure and contribute to the revision of operation plans when necessary.
4. Contribute to the proper monitoring of operations and adherence to budgetary guidelines.

Compliance and Reporting:

1. Support the timely and quality reporting on DREF operations by collaborating with IFRC Delegations, PMER, and Finance counterparts.
2. Help ensure compliance with DREF procedures and guidelines among National Societies and IFRC Delegations.

Capacity Building and Training:

1. Contribute to the development of proposals for donors to receive financial and technical support for enhancing National Society capacities.

1. Support on the organization of DREF trainings that are currently in pipeline in close coordination with the Regional DREF Senior Officer.

Relationship Management and communication:

1. Foster an integrated approach to disaster response operations by collaborating with colleagues from different thematic units such as Health, WASH, Shelter, Cash and Voucher Assistance and Logistics.
2. Maintain effective communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including IFRC Delegations, Operations Coordinators, PMER, Finance, and other thematic units.

Learning and Development:

1. Actively participate in team meetings, workshops, and training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills in DREF operations.
2. Engage in self-learning and research to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in disaster response and the DREF process.

Other tasks that are not necessary identified but may be needed.

Learning Outcomes

• Disaster Management experience (DREF, Emergency Appeals, Surge System, CVA Program, Information Management, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting)

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duration:

The internship will be for a period of 1 month. Any extension of this period will be agreed by the Intern and the Regional HDCC team. After this period the intern will fully debrief all aspects and result of their support as intern to the IFRC´ Americas Regional Office.

Pre-deployment Responsibilities:

All expenses incurred as a result of this internship will be covered by the IFRC Americas Regional Office, including food, transportation, lodging, insurance, and airline tickets.

Security

The Intern will adhere to the in-country security regulations of his/her Duty Station. The following security regulations will apply: 

• The intern is included in the IFRC Security Framework, and s/he must be aware of and adhere to the IFRC Security Guidelines during the mission. These include signing the “Acknowledgement of risk: security in the field” document annexed to the Security Guidelines.
• The interns will follow security plans of her/his place of residence during providing support remotely.
• If there are not Security guidelines already in place for the country of operation, these will be set by the TL in coordination with the Security Focal Point, and the Security Unit in Geneva ([email protected])
• It is a requirement that each team member must complete the IFRC Stay Safe online course.

Due to the importance of the safety and security of individuals and the mission as a whole, any breach of Security Regulations may be considered to be misconduct. As such, security breaches may have disciplinary consequences, up to and including the immediate termination of the assignment or mission.

Duty of Care

• Travel approval process: The Regional Surge Focal point must be aware of all travel requests. Travel cannot be approved until coordinated with the following focal points in the regional office or nearest IFRC office: Security, Staff health (if available in the region), and Air Ops. The travel checklist must be signed and completed prior to travel.

• PPE: If the Rapid Response personnel need to engage in field work where physical distance is not possible and they are not provided with PPE prior to travel, then adequate PPE is to be provided by the receiving office. Please follow the proposed packing list for deciding adequate PPE amounts.

Mission Health Vaccines 

• The Intern should have the minimum required vaccinations completed before deploying to the mission country. Please see the Staff Health Guidance document available on IFRC GO for more information about COVID-19.
• Please check for more information at SoS international (internationalsos.com)
• Contact person at Regional Office for any queries regarding vaccination: [email protected]

Other information: 

• The Intern should wear signage as provided by the Federation office.
• All team members should wear signage as provided by their National Society or Federation office.
• All team members should carry Identification issued by their National Society identifying them as a red member of the Movement.
• All members should be outfitted with proper equipment including:
• Laptop computer and thumb drives
• Mobile phone
• The individual will be briefed online (Skype, Teams, etc) once the deployment is confirmed.

Education

• University degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Disaster Management, International Development, or another relevant subject.
• Trainings related to emergency operations

Experience

• Working or volunteer experience within the Red Cross Movement and / or IFRC.
• Working experience in emergency operation within the Red Cross Movement.
• Experience of programme design, project management and reporting, preferably in relation to disaster response.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation.
• Contextual understanding of the Americas Region.
• First-hand experience with collecting and systematizing data.
• Experience in capacity building and facilitating workshops and training.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Good written and oral communication skills;
• Good computer skills (including presentations, database, and use of statistics;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good stress management skills.
• Networking skills

LANGUAGES:

• Spanish, Spoken and Writing – Mandatory
• English, Spoken and Writing – Mandatory

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust