Back Executive Coomunications Internship - Executive Office

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.

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 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 four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

The 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.

The 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 Executive Office is responsible for ensuring that the Secretary General is provided with the information and support required to carry out the full range of his activities as executive head of the organization. The Executive Office facilitates coordination and communication within and between the Secretariat and the broader spectrum of IFRC stakeholders. The position is based in the Executive Office and reports directly to the Senior Communications Advisor, Executive Office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of support to the Senior Communications Advisor, Executive Officer in:

• researching content and drafting, designing, and writing presentations, opinion-pieces, speeches, online articles, and social media posts for the Secretary General
• co-ordinating the content for, and helping to write, draft speaking points for the Secretary General’s meetings and events
• contributing to the co-ordination, writing and design of major governance reports
• developing and regularly updating the Secretary General’s internal messaging to IFRC staff on their ‘Our IFRC’ Platform. This includes updates on the Secretary General’s travels, meetings and missions
• drafting letters and messages to the broader IFRC network, and beyond, on behalf of the Secretary General
• structuring and organising the content, and providing technical support, for all staff meetings, townhalls etc

  Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

  • briefing the Secretary General, in person, online and in writing
  • helping to create audio-visual materials, including editing videos
  • engaging with the media, proactively and reactively; and
  • assisting with other communications products and general admin tasks, as needed and making coffee, running errands and generally being an essential part of a small, but crucial, team!

    Education

    Required

  • Current university student or recent graduate in public administration, political or social sciences, communications/media, international relations, law, humanities or other relevant field of study.

    Experience

    Required

  • Knowledge of current developments and global trends
• Knowledge of the work of international organisations

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

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